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3 minute read
Stop Losing Profits to Processing Fees. Here’s What You Need to Know.
Running a restaurant is tough enough, having your profits disappear from high credit card processing fees is even tougher. With operating costs like food and labor continuously rising, many independent restaurant owners are looking for ways to stay competitive without raising menu prices.
With more than 75% of restaurant transactions paid by card, those fees aren’t going away, but they can be recovered. Implementing a credit card processing fee recovery program is one solution that is helping restaurant owners reduce or even eliminate credit card processing fees. Let’s break down what it is, how it works, and whether it’s the right move for your restaurant.
What Is Cervion’s Fee Recovery Program (FRP)?
The Fee Recovery Program, also known as dual pricing or a cash discount program, lets you offer two prices:
Card Price: is the posted price that includes the processing markup for both credit and debit cards.
Cash Price: A small discount that rewards guests who pay with cash.
The difference covers your processing fees, allowing you to recover that expense in a compliant, transparent way. With Cervion, your POS system is configured to automatically apply the correct price at checkout, no manual calculations, no confusion. We provide expert setup, team training, and resources to make the transition successful and seamless.
Is the FRP Program (Dual Pricing) right for my restaurant?
In short, if credit card fees are reducing your profits, the answer is YES.
The Fee Recovery Program (FRP) works best for:
- High-volume independent restaurants where even a small percentage of savings add up fast.
- Casual and family-style eateries with steady, loyal customer traffic.
- Independent cafés and coffee shops that face disproportionate fees on small-ticket items.
- Pizzerias and quick-service with a large share of takeout and delivery orders paid by card.
You’ll benefit most if:
Your credit card processing fees regularly exceed 2.5% of total sales.
Your customer base predominantly pays by credit card
You sell smaller-ticket items where fees take a bigger bite out of profit margins, think a $4 latte.
By adopting dual pricing, you shift the cost of card transactions to those who choose that payment method, instead of increasing prices for everyone.
Best Practices for Implementing FRP (Dual Pricing)
With transparency and correct implementation, you can reduce customer push-back.
Set Card Prices as the Posted Price on Menus and Menu Boards. Ensure prices displayed reflect credit card-inclusive pricing. Cash price will be applied at checkout, clearly displayed on receipts.
Use Capable POS Technology. Dual pricing only works if your POS system, like EdgeServ POS, automates this process at checkout.
Display Clear Signage. Entrance, menu, and point-of-sale signage should clearly explain the cash discount or dual-pricing structure.
Correctly Printed Receipts. Both credit card and cash pricing should display for each line-item on the receipt, reinforcing trust and transparency.
Train Your Team. Ensure your team and staff are comfortable being able to explain the FRP clearly as a cash discount and not a surcharge.
Real Impact for Restaurants
On average, Cervion FRP customers are saving $28,800 a year*, that’s money that can be reinvested into staff, equipment, or simply staying profitable in a competitive market. And with our program, many operators also qualify for a free POS system*, lowering technology costs even further.
This isn’t theory, it’s a proven strategy used by restaurants just like yours to protect margins and operate smarter.
Let’s talk! We’ll walk you through how cash discounting could fit into your restaurant, show you real examples, and help you decide if it’s the right move.
* Terms and Conditions apply. FRP requires application approval and a merchant processing agreement. Savings vary based on transaction volume and payment mix.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fee Reduction Programs / Dual Pricing / True Cash Discounting:
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Cervion Systems is a Point of Sale provider with offices in Arizona, New York, Pennsylvania, and South Florida. Founded in 1996, with over 25 years of professional POS service experience, Cervion is the leading VAR (value-added reseller) offering restaurant Point of Sale. Cervion provides restaurants and bars with local sales and service, modern Apple iPad point of sale systems, and affordable programs for new and existing restaurants. Please contact Cervion at (877) 476-7246 or sales@cervion.com.
