The restaurant industry has undergone a fundamental transformation in how transactions are processed, from customer-facing payments to vendor invoice management. With cashless payments now representing a significant majority of restaurant transactions, operators face mounting pressure to modernize both front-of-house payment acceptance and back-office accounts payable processes. For multi-location restaurant groups managing high invoice volumes across dozens of vendors, AP automation solutions have become essential to scale operations without proportionally increasing administrative headcount.
Key Takeaways
- The POS market is booming: Restaurant POS terminals reached $25.1 billion in 2025 and will nearly double to $49.3 billion by 2035
- Cash usage continues declining: Cash now accounts for just 14% of all payments, down from 31% in 2017
- Back-office automation is becoming essential. For multi-location restaurant groups, AP automation helps centralize invoice receipt, automate location coding, route approvals, and reduce manual administrative work across locations.
Restaurant POS Market Size and Growth Statistics
1. Restaurant POS terminals market valued at $25.1 billion in 2025
The restaurant POS terminals market reached $25.1 billion in 2025, reflecting the industry's substantial investment in payment infrastructure. This valuation encompasses hardware, software, and services that enable restaurants to accept customer payments efficiently.
2. Market projected to reach $49.3 billion by 2035 at 7.0% CAGR
Future Market Insights projects the restaurant POS terminals market will grow to $49.3 billion by 2035, representing a 7.0% compound annual growth rate. This sustained growth signals continued technology investment across the restaurant sector.
Payment Method Adoption and Usage Statistics
3. Cash accounts for just 14% of all payments in 2024
Federal Reserve data confirms that cash represents only 14% of all payments in 2024. This represents a significant decline from the 31% share cash held in 2017.
4. Credit card payments reached 35% of all payments in 2024
Credit cards have become the dominant payment method. Credit card payments made up 35% of all payments in 2024, representing a 17 percentage-point increase from 2016 levels.
Contactless and Digital Wallet Statistics
5. Digital wallet usage grew 45% year-over-year
The growth rate for digital wallets is remarkable. Digital wallet usage in restaurants grew 45% year-over-year, outpacing nearly every other payment category.
6. Contactless payments represented 62% of transactions in 2024
Fishbowl reports that contactless payments represented 62% of restaurant transactions in 2024, confirming the dominance of tap-and-go technology.
7. 23% of all payments in 2024 used mobile phones
Mobile payment adoption continues expanding. 23% of all payments in 2024 used mobile phones, with 11% of in-person non-bill payments completed via mobile devices.
8. Digital wallet usage surged 42% across four major markets
American Express and PYMNTS report that digital wallet usage surged 42% year-over-year across the U.S., Canada, UK, and Australia.
Consumer Preferences and Behavior Statistics
9. 72% of adults would pay using contactless or mobile options
National Restaurant Association data shows that 72% of adults would pay using contactless or mobile payment options when dining out, creating strong demand for these capabilities.
10. 62% would pay using digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Wallet
Specific digital wallet preferences are clear. 62% of adults would pay using a digital wallet like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Wallet, or Venmo when given the option.
11. 70% would order and pay using a restaurant website
Online ordering remains important. 70% of adults would order and pay using a restaurant website, indicating the need for robust web payment capabilities.
12. 70% would order and pay using a smartphone app
Mobile app usage matches website interest. 70% of adults would order and pay using a smartphone app, emphasizing the importance of mobile-first experiences.
13. 67% would order and pay using a tablet at the table
Tableside technology appeals to most diners. 67% of adults would order and pay using a tablet at the table, creating opportunities for upselling and faster service.
14. 65% would order and pay using a self-service kiosk
Self-service acceptance is high. 65% of adults would order and pay using a self-service kiosk, particularly relevant for quick-service operations.
15. 62% would access a menu through a QR code
QR codes have become mainstream. 62% of adults would access a menu through a QR code, reflecting pandemic-era adoption that has persisted.
16. 75% would like to pre-order at sit-down restaurants
Advance ordering demand is strong. 75% of adults would like the ability to pre-order at sit-down restaurants, potentially reducing wait times and improving kitchen efficiency.
17. 68% of limited-service customers prefer contactless when available
Payment preferences vary by restaurant type. 68% of limited-service customers would pay using contactless or mobile options if available.
18. 62% of full-service diners prefer contactless when available
Full-service restaurants see similar demand. 62% of full-service diners would choose contactless or mobile payment options if available.
Restaurant Technology Investment Statistics
19. 73% of operators increased technology investments in 2024
Technology spending momentum is strong. 73% of restaurant operators increased their technology investments in 2024, indicating sustained commitment to digital transformation.
20. Only 41-42% plan contactless payment investment despite demand
A gap exists between customer demand and planned investment. Only 41% of full-service restaurants and 42% of limited-service restaurants plan to invest in contactless payment solutions in 2024, even as consumer preference exceeds 60%.
Market Segmentation and Product Statistics
21. Fixed POS terminals projected to hold 61.3% market share in 2025
Hardware preferences favor fixed installations. Fixed POS terminals are projected to lead the market with 61.3% share in 2025.
22. Hardware segment commands 52.7% of market share in 2025
Hardware remains dominant. The hardware segment is anticipated to command 52.7% of the restaurant POS terminals market share in 2025.
23. Quick Service Restaurants account for 36.9% of market share in 2025
QSRs drive significant demand. Quick Service Restaurants are expected to account for 36.9% of market share in 2025.
Cash Holdings and Usage Pattern Statistics
24. 80% of consumers held cash at least one day during reporting period
Cash has not disappeared entirely. 80% of consumers held cash in their pockets, purses, or wallets at least one day during the reporting period.
25. 83% used cash in the 30 days leading to survey
Cash usage remains common despite declining share. 83% of participants used cash in the 30 days leading up to the survey.
26. More than 90% have no plans to stop using cash
Cash will not disappear. More than 90% of consumers stated they had no plans to stop using cash entirely.
Additional Adoption and Technology Statistics
27. 95% favor debit, credit, or cash for in-person payments
Traditional payment methods still dominate preferences. 95% of surveyed respondents indicated that they favored debit cards, credit cards, or cash for in-person payments.
28. 7% year-over-year increase in contactless preference across four markets
Global trends align with U.S. data. There was a 7% year-over-year jump in diners preferring contactless payment methods across the U.S., Canada, UK, and Australia.
29. Contactless payment kiosk adoption climbed 15% year-over-year
Kiosk adoption is accelerating. Adoption of contactless payment kiosks climbed 15% year-over-year.
The Connection Between Front-of-House Payments and Back-Office Efficiency
While much of the payment conversation focuses on customer transactions, multi-location restaurant operators face equally complex challenges managing vendor payments. The same technology trends driving customer payment innovation also create opportunities for accounts payable automation.
For restaurant groups operating 10 or more locations, the volume of vendor invoices from food distributors, beverage suppliers, equipment vendors, and service providers creates substantial administrative burden. Each location may receive dozens of invoices weekly, requiring coding to the correct location, GL account, and approval workflow.
AP automation solutions designed for multi-location operations can reduce this complexity by:
- Centralizing invoice receipt for all locations through a single inbox
- Automatically coding invoices to the correct location and GL accounts
- Routing invoices through location-specific approval workflows
- Handling split invoices across multiple locations
- Integrating with restaurant-specific ERP systems like Restaurant365
The efficiency gains from back-office automation mirror those seen with customer-facing payment technology. Just as contactless payments reduce customer wait times, automated invoice processing reduces the time AP staff spend on manual data entry and routing.
Technology Partnership and Integration Statistics
The technology landscape shows significant integration activity:
- 38% of restaurants in the U.S. and Canada have integrated POS systems for both in-store and digital ordering
- 65% of fast casual and QSR operators are prioritizing next-generation unified POS platforms
- Restaurant off-premises and digital sales showed 11% increase from 2022
- 67% of restaurants using automation report direct benefits to diner experiences
For multi-location operators, ensuring that payment systems, POS platforms, and back-office accounting systems work together seamlessly is essential. ERP and accounting integrations help ensure data flows accurately between systems without manual re-entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common payment methods accepted in restaurants today?
Based on current data, credit cards lead at 35% of all payments, followed by debit cards. Cash has declined to just 14% of all payments. Contactless payments, including digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Wallet, now represent an estimated majority of restaurant transactions. Most restaurants now offer multiple payment options to meet diverse customer preferences.
How do credit card processing fees typically impact a restaurant's bottom line?
Credit card processing fees typically range from 1.5% to 3.5% per transaction, depending on card type, transaction volume, and processor. For a restaurant with $1 million in annual credit card sales, processing fees could range from $15,000 to $35,000 annually. With 35% of all payments now made via credit card, managing these costs has become a significant operational consideration.
How can AP automation improve payment processing efficiency for multi-location restaurants?
For multi-location restaurant groups, AP automation addresses the complexity of managing vendor invoices across many sites. Rather than each location handling its own invoices, automated systems can centralize receipt, use AI to code invoices to the correct location and GL accounts, and route through appropriate approval workflows automatically. This approach can significantly reduce administrative burden while improving accuracy. Multi-location operators considering AP automation should look for solutions with native integrations to restaurant-specific systems to ensure seamless data flow.
What features should a restaurant look for in a modern point-of-sale system?
Key POS features for restaurants in 2026 include contactless payment acceptance, digital wallet support, QR code capability, integrated online ordering, and robust reporting. As restaurant operators continue investing in POS upgrades, integration capabilities are increasingly important. Restaurants should ensure their POS can connect with inventory management, accounting systems, and back-office automation tools to maintain data accuracy across all systems.