How to start a payments app for restaurants: deposits, events and paying suppliers
By SendPay Business · · 2 min read
- 1Your card appears in your app
- 2Tap it to pay in a shop
- 3See every payment as it happens
Independent restaurants and cafes lose money to no-shows and spend time chasing payment for private events and catering. They also pay a long list of suppliers every week. A payments platform aimed at independent food businesses in one city can help with both, and owners talk to each other, so word spreads fast.
What restaurant owners want
- Payment links for booking deposits to cut no-shows.
- Invoices for private dining, events and catering.
- A card for supplier and market runs.
- A clear view of money in and out each week.
Reaching them
Owners meet through local food and drink groups, suppliers, markets and hospitality events. Start with one neighbourhood or one type of venue, and ask your first happy customers to introduce you to other owners.
Try it
Name your platform and watch it come to life
Type a name, tap a colour and pick what it does. The phone changes as you go.
Colour
What it does
Design and preview your whole platform free, then launch when you are ready.
Things to watch
Most restaurants already have a way to take card payments at the table, so position your platform alongside it, not as a replacement. Be clear about fees and payout times, because margins in hospitality are tight.
Where SendPay fits
SendPay doesn't offer card machines or acquiring. SendPay platforms let you get paid with payment links, invoices and subscriptions, alongside GBP, EUR and USD accounts and branded Visa cards, powered by licensed partners.
How it works
Your own money app- 1Name it and pick your colours
- 2Choose what it does
- 3Launch when you are ready
Why sign up
Create your free SendPay account
It's all about creating your own financial platform with ease. Start with a free account today.
- 🪪A free business accountOpen it in about a minute with your business name, email, password and mobile. No card and no documents to start.
- 💳Get paid from day oneTake card payments, and share your own payment link and invoices so customers pay in a click.
- 🌐A free business websiteFree to build, free to publish and free to keep, with unlimited visits.
- 🚀Your own financial platformDesign and preview your whole platform free, then launch when you are ready.
SendPay Business is a technology company, not a bank. Accounts, cards and payments are powered by licensed partners.
Questions people ask
What can I use instead of a card machine?
Payment links and QR codes can take payments without hardware.
Card machine alternatives →How do I start a bookings platform?
Combine bookings with deposits and payment links.
Bookings platforms →How do I start a payments app for tour operators?
Take deposits and balances online, often in several currencies.
Tour operator payments →Read next
Spotted a mistake or something out of date? and we'll fix it. How our guides are made
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. SendPay Business is a technology company, not a bank, and does not take deposits; regulated services on the platforms are provided by licensed partners. Other companies named in this guide are reference points only and are not affiliated with SendPay Business.