0min
Picture the familiar scene: a lively table in your restaurant where friends gather for a celebratory meal. Their laughter fills the air, and the dishes arrive piping hot. Soon, it’s time to settle the bill. Traditionally, this final moment can bring confusion and tension. Everyone rummages for cash, chips in coins, or fumbles with various cards. One person inevitably overpays, while another feels guilty about ordering that extra dessert. It’s hardly the ideal conclusion to a delightful evening.
But what if this process could be simpler? That’s where digital checks (or digital bills) come in. Instead of urging your guests to pass a physical bill around the table, they can use a single QR code to split their share instantly, pay, tip staff, and leave a quick review—all from their smartphones. In today’s fast-paced hospitality world, digital checks are changing diners’ expectations. In the United Kingdom, where contactless and online payments have skyrocketed, digital bills are poised to become the new norm.
Before delving into the benefits of digital checks, it’s worth exploring why bill splitting matters so much. As a restaurant owner, you know your guests want a smooth experience from the moment they sit down to the moment they head home. Splitting the bill fairly can be the difference between leaving with positive memories or with a sense of lingering unfairness.
Restaurants that perfect their payment processes frequently receive higher customer satisfaction ratings. A complex, lengthy payment process can slow table turnover, reduce staff efficiency, and even prompt negative online reviews. By contrast, a hassle-free and transparent approach to bill splitting—particularly one that gives diners control over tipping and reviewing—boosts loyalty and fosters a sense of trust. In other words, smooth payment solutions can help your restaurant stand apart in a competitive market.
What exactly is a digital check in the context of a restaurant? Simply put, it’s an online equivalent of your usual printed bill. It appears on diners’ smartphones, typically via a QR code placed on the table or printed on the receipt. Guests can scan the code using their phone’s camera and see an itemised list of everything they’ve ordered. From there, the bill can be settled directly—no waiting for a physical slip of paper to arrive, no scrambling around for exact change.
In the UK, where contactless has become the norm at shops, cafes, and even public transport, digital checks fit naturally into daily life. According to a report by UK Finance (UK Finance), contactless payments accounted for a considerable proportion of total card transactions in 2022, and this trend is expected to rise. By embracing a digital approach to settling a restaurant bill, owners mirror the convenience diners have come to expect elsewhere.
Splitting a digital check is straightforward. Diners can view an itemised list of what was ordered, select what they want to pay for, and settle their portion in a few taps. This eliminates the awkwardness of group guesswork. Everyone only pays for what they consumed, especially if someone has indulged in a pricier dish or an extra cocktail.
Thanks to digital checks:
No staff member needs to manually split the check into separate bills, although some might still offer that service if requested. The result? A reduced load on your team and happier diners. In short, everyone wins.
Though splitting the bill is a major plus, digital check solutions often come with other handy features. For instance, your guests might see a subtle tip suggestion after they settle their share. There’s no direct pressure from staff—just a friendly nudge. Research shows that when customers pay in a comfortable environment, they’re more likely to tip generously.
Additionally, digital solutions sometimes prompt diners to leave a quick Google review once they’ve paid. Since the experience is fresh in their minds, they can offer immediate feedback. This can lead to more frequent and more positive reviews, which in turn boosts your standing in local search results. When potential customers search online for somewhere to eat, strong reviews elevate your position—leading to more footfall and higher revenue in the long run.
Digital checks don’t just benefit diners. They also streamline front-of-house (FOH) operations, giving your team a well-deserved break from administrative work. Managing payments can be one of the most tedious parts of service—especially when the restaurant is packed. Consider the busy Saturday shift. Your servers are juggling orders, clearing tables, and ensuring that every glass is refilled. Adding complicated bills to that mix can push them to the brink.
By introducing a digital system, you allow staff to focus on high-value interactions. They can curate the perfect wine recommendation or ensure the meal arrives at just the right pace—rather than hovering awkwardly while groups decide who owes what. Quick and painless payments also speed up table turnover. Diners leave satisfied without having to wait for the bill, future guests arrive, and the cycle continues smoothly.
Imagine a mid-sized bistro called The Golden Spoon in Leeds. Every Friday night, they’re slammed. Prior to adopting digital checks, servers struggled to manage multiple tables that all wanted to pay at once. Guests occasionally left in frustration, or the staff had to hustle between half a dozen card machines to handle payments. Tips were inconsistent, and online reviews rarely mentioned how easy it was to pay—because it wasn’t particularly easy.
Once The Golden Spoon switched to a digital check platform, they placed easily visible QR codes on each table. No more “Who’s paying for the chicken dish?” fiascos. Diners could split the bill on their own terms, add a tip if they felt so inclined, and quickly leave a brief review. The FOH team reclaimed precious minutes to interact with customers. Compliments about the stress-free payment process started popping up in online reviews. Within just a few weeks, The Golden Spoon noticed:
By removing that final bottleneck, The Golden Spoon refined their entire guest experience. As a direct result, they developed a stronger sense of customer loyalty.
Some traditional restaurant owners might feel cautious about switching to digital checks. What if older customers prefer a printed receipt? What if the system crashes? And what about data security and fraud?
These are all valid points. But the reality is that digital payment solutions in the UK are robust. They’re often encrypted to protect card details, and reputable platforms are legally required to follow stringent regulations. In practice, a reliable digital payment partner provides:
This doesn’t mean you have to abandon traditional methods altogether. You can still offer a printed receipt or a card machine if a customer requests it. The point is, you’re giving them options, and in today’s customer-centric landscape, options enhance satisfaction. Open up the possibility of paying digitally, and over time, you’ll notice more and more diners gravitate toward this faster, simpler approach.
Ultimately, any operational change should improve (or at least sustain) profitability. By adopting digital checks, you can save time for your staff, which translates directly into reduced labour costs. If each table is turned over more swiftly, you can seat more guests over the course of an evening—incrementally boosting sales.
On top of improved turnover, many restaurants find that digital payments lead to higher ticket averages. How so? When it’s easier to split the bill, diners might be more inclined to order that extra side or share a dessert, knowing they can pay only for what they personally enjoyed. Seamless payment also fosters a more positive atmosphere, increasing the chance they’ll come back for another visit. A 2022 survey by YouGov (YouGov UK) found that customer ease and convenience rank among the top factors influencing retail loyalty, and restaurants are no exception.
Naturally, it’s not a magic fix. A well-executed menu, excellent service, and appealing décor still shape a restaurant’s success. But in a sector where margins can be tight, levelling up your payment process is a practical step toward maintaining a healthy bottom line.
If you’ve decided it’s time to introduce digital checks at your restaurant, the next question is which provider or platform to use. While brand competition is notable, the main factors to consider include:
As you talk with potential partners, ask them about real-world testimonials and case studies. The proof is often in the pudding—so requesting references or speaking to other restaurant owners using the same solution can give you insights into the user experience.
Open and inclusive dining means ensuring that every guest has a comfortable experience. Some visitors prefer contactless card payments; others may not have a smartphone. A few might wish to settle in cash. This is the benefit of offering digital checks as one of many options in your restaurant. You’re not forcing everyone to pay digitally. Rather, you’re making life easier for those who want a quick, automated solution. And those who desire a traditional route can still pay by card or cash.
Meanwhile, the user-friendly design of most digital check solutions accommodates customers with variable comfort levels regarding technology. Clear instructions—like “Scan with your phone camera to pay”—can guide diners through the process. By layering inclusivity on top of efficiency, you’re providing a payment approach that works for a broad range of guests.
Digital checks can generate helpful data. In simple terms, you learn a lot about your customers, from their favourite dishes to the busiest times of the week. When integrated with POS systems, this technology helps you spot patterns:
Understanding these dynamics can guide you in adjusting your menu or staffing strategy. For instance, if data shows that a special cocktail drives up mentions on Google reviews, you might consider promoting it more often. In the long run, such insights can help you refine your offerings, timing, and overall guest experience, so that everything runs as smoothly as possible.
In the United Kingdom, tipping isn’t always as automatic as it may be elsewhere. Many restaurants include a discretionary service charge, while others leave it entirely up to guests. Digital checks offer an opportunity to handle tips in a transparent and flexible manner.
When customers view the digital bill, they might be prompted to add a tip of, say, 10%, 12.5%, or 15%—or a custom amount. Because they’re doing this in private, they often feel more at ease, unpressured by staff presence. As a result, they may tip based on genuine satisfaction with the experience. Potentially, that translates into better rewards for your team.
Additionally, all tips are tracked electronically, making administration easier. If you have a staff tip pool, disbursements become simpler. Many digital check platforms present itemised reports or dashboards that show how tips are distributed. This added clarity can help to maintain fairness among team members.
When you’re hunting for a digital check solution, you’ll likely come across several well-known platforms, but only a handful cater specifically to the needs of the hospitality sector. This is where sunday can step in. Sunday’s QR code-based payment solution is tailored for restaurants seeking to simplify the checkout process.
With sunday, your guests can swiftly settle their meals, split the bill on their phones, and leave reviews if they wish. The setup typically involves placing a QR code on each table, which leads directly to a digital menu and real-time bill. It’s an approach designed by restauranteurs, for restauranteurs, ensuring it’s easy to adopt and train staff on.
Though you shouldn’t rely on any single “magic bullet” for your business, implementing a proven system like sunday can help you offer the frictionless payment experience customers have come to expect in today’s UK dining landscape.
One recurring question is: what happens if the internet goes down? The design of digital check systems often accommodates these rare scenarios. Some solutions, for instance, allow limited offline functionality or store transaction details until the connection is restored. As a restaurant owner, you might keep a simple fallback plan if you experience network issues. For example, keep a few card machines ready for offline transactions. However, in many UK cities and towns, 4G and Wi-Fi coverage is robust enough to ensure minimal disruptions.
If you’ve ever run a busy dining room, you know that the final stage of a meal can sometimes overshadow a great culinary experience. Maybe a guest wanted to pay for the entire table and ended up spending longer than expected to complete the transaction or figure out complicated card splits. Using digital checks, everyone feels empowered. It’s a bit like giving your diners the chef’s spatula: they get to take control in those final moments. They decide exactly what to pay, how to tip, and how to review their experience.
By letting them handle payments directly, you’re showing trust in your customers. That small gesture can leave a lasting impression, prompting them to become returning patrons who recommend you to friends.
As a restaurant owner, you’re not just selling a meal. You’re selling an experience. People remember the food, the ambience, the service, and often that last moment at the table. Splitting the bill digitally wraps the occasion in convenience. It’s the modern equivalent of offering a hot towel or a parting mint—an elegant finishing touch that leaves guests feeling you’ve anticipated every need.
In an era where diners have countless choices, providing a frictionless end to the meal is a sensible move. Guests are already used to ordering groceries online, booking cabs through apps, and paying bills from their smartphones. Extending that same ease to restaurant checks sets forward-thinking businesses apart. You keep your edge, delight your customers, and make life easier for your team. It’s a recipe for success.
No. You can keep your card machine (often called a POS terminal in the UK) for those who prefer it. Digital checks simply offer an additional, more convenient option for splitting bills and settling up.
Most digital check systems are designed for simplicity. A quick scan with a smartphone camera is typically all that’s required. For those who prefer traditional methods, you can still present a printed receipt or accept contactless card payments, ensuring everyone feels comfortable.
Digital check solutions often have backup measures, such as cached information or the ability to process offline transactions. Additionally, keeping a card machine or printed receipts on hand will cover you in rare instances of network failure.
Costs vary depending on the provider, but many solutions operate on a small transaction fee or monthly subscription. When you factor in time saved, increased table turnover, and possibly higher tips, the investment often pays for itself.
Many digital solutions—including sunday—offer direct integration with leading POS providers. This means data, orders, and payments can sync in real time, streamlining both customer requests and back-office reporting.
