by Kim Dailey | Feb 12, 2024 | Bank gift cards, Gift Cards
Celebrate all Month
Make this Month Valentine’s month! Offer diners specials all month long! This will gain more business and allow clients to celebrate without the crowds of previous years. Dress up your reception area with impulse sales items. Add a gift card to a basket of wine, food, or whatever you sell, and create a grab-and-go product for frantic last-minute Valentine’s Day shoppers. Restaurant gift cards were the most popular gift card category in 2022. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), restaurant gift cards were the most popular gift cards for Christmas 2022, with 27% of U.S. consumers planning to buy at least one. Source: moneyzine.com/personal-finance-resources/gift-card-statistics/
Spread the love to your customers this Valentine’s Day by offering out-of-the-box ideas. Offer a curbside candlelight Valentine’s dinner prepared or unprepared, and maybe include a small gift card they can use in the future as a surprise when they unbox their order.
Create a beautiful Valentine’s basket with a gift card and bottle of wine or glasses for those who choose to celebrate later. Maybe a pizza for two and a growler. There are so many fun ideas you can incorporate to make your restaurant even more memorable during these times.
Get creative; if you need last-minute digital cards or gift card presenters, we have you covered!
Every year, these numbers increase, and every day, someone is celebrating an event!
Source: NATIONAL USE YOUR GIFT CARD DAY – January 20, 2024 – National Today
- Gift cards that Americans give: 93% of have given gift cards
- The most popular gift card in 2019, Amazon, was the #1 gift card.
- Gift cards as birthday gifts: 68% of people give gift cards as a birthday present.
- Starbucks transactions: Almost half were made with gift cards
- Men vs. Women: Men spend more on gift cards than women. Perfect for Valentine’s Day
by Kim Dailey | Apr 19, 2023 | Testimonials
The handheld device worked out great, especially for Cinco de Mayo. It saved us a lot of time by allowing us to place orders without having to come inside again and again. Thank you!
by Chandra Spary-Kontinos | Mar 14, 2023 | Marketing, News, Uncategorized
Support Food Trucks
Supporting food trucks is a must for the local community for several reasons. First and foremost, food trucks provide diverse cuisines not commonly found in traditional restaurants. It allows people to expand their palates and support these new entrepreneurs as they grow.
Locally Sourced Food
Additionally, food trucks often source their products locally, supporting the local economy and promoting sustainable farming practices.
Affordable Dining Options
Many customers frequently visit Food Trucks due to faster service and more affordable dining options, especially for those who can’t afford expensive restaurants. Remember, these are the customers who will support our full-service restaurants later on down the line.
Restaurants in the Making
Many Food Trucks Turn into Brick mortar restaurants which attract more customers and support local growth and commerce.
Supporting food trucks helps build a more vibrant community while promoting local sustainability and cultural exploration. Also, don’t miss the 2023 War of the Food Truck Wars on May 28th at the German American Club.
by Chandra Spary-Kontinos | Mar 7, 2023 | Marketing, Public Service
Why Supporting Local Businesses Matters
When it comes to shopping, it’s easy to get caught up in the convenience of big-box stores and online retailers. However, supporting local businesses is an important way to help your community thrive. Here are some reasons why you should consider shopping locally:
Local businesses are the backbone of the economy
Small and local businesses are the engines of local economies. They provide jobs, boost economic activity, and help keep money circulating within the community. According to research, 60-70 cents stays within the local economy for every dollar spent at a local business. By supporting local businesses, you’re helping to ensure your community’s long-term health and prosperity.
Local businesses offer unique products and services
One of the great things about local businesses is that they often offer products and services you can’t find anywhere else. Whether it’s a specialty food store, a boutique clothing shop, or a handmade craft store, local businesses are often the go-to places for unique and one-of-a-kind items. By shopping at local businesses, you’re supporting the creativity and individuality of your community.
Local businesses have a personal touch
Local business owners are often deeply invested in their communities. They care about their customers and the quality of their products and services. By shopping at local businesses, you can develop personal relationships with the owners and employees and feel like a valued community member.
Local businesses help reduce environmental impact
Shopping locally can also have a positive impact on the environment. Local businesses often source their products locally, reducing the carbon footprint associated with shipping and transportation. They also tend to use less packaging, meaning less landfill waste.
Local businesses support community organizations.
They will likely be the first to step up and support community organizations and events. Whether sponsoring a local sports team or donating products to a charity auction, local businesses are often the backbone of community support.
So the next time you’re in the market for something, consider checking out local businesses first. You may be surprised at the unique and high-quality products and services they have to offer, and you’ll be doing your part to help your community thrive.
by Chandra Spary-Kontinos | Mar 7, 2023 | POS Systems, Uncategorized
A Good Point of Sale with Digital Receipts, Save Business Owners and their Customers Time and Money
The most obvious advantage of digital receipts is that they are much more environmentally friendly than paper receipts. You can reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment by eliminating the need for paper, ink, and printing. Additionally, going paperless requires less physical storage space and is simpler to manage.
Improved Customer Experience
Digital receipts offer a better overall experience for customers, and they don’t have to worry about keeping track of a paper receipt. Instead, they can quickly access their receipts whenever they need to on their phone or computer.
Cost Savings
Digital receipts also save your business a lot of money. You can cut costs and boost your bottom line without needing paper, ink, and printing supplies. Additionally, digital receipts are simpler to store and easier to retrieve should a dispute or chargeback arise, making it easier to manage and lower administrative costs.
Marketing Opportunities
By collecting valuable data, at your Point of Sale, your business can stay in touch with customers after the sale. You can encourage customers to interact with you and possibly make additional purchases by including links to social media pages or offering promotions in the digital receipts. Offering digital receipts is wise for any company looking to streamline operations and give customers a better experience.
There are numerous benefits to switching to a POS System that gives your company the ability to “go digital.” Most importantly, an enhanced customer experience, cost savings, and marketing opportunities. Your business can quickly integrate digital receipt technology into its operations and enjoy today’s benefits by partnering with a reputable Point of Sale and payment processing company like Card Systems.
by Kim Dailey | Jan 4, 2023 | Testimonials
Hands down, the absolute best! My company started with Card Systems, Inc 16+ years ago. One year, early on I switched to my own bank as I thought I would save $ for my company. Biggest mistake ever–a huge costly mistake. Needless to say, I went back to Card Systems asap. They are always-always there when I have a question or are in need of anything technical. My company started out small and has grown exponentially over the years and I’ve had the same excellent service from Card Systems from my start to now. 5+ stars!!!
by Kim Dailey | Jan 4, 2023 | Testimonials
I can’t say enough positive things about Jeremy and Card Systems, Inc. From the setup of my new Clover System, to saving me money on my processing fees. Jeremy is always just a phone call away if I need anything. Had an issue with my system after a power outage and Jeremy had me up and running again in no time.
It’s nice to work with a local company that you get to know personally instead of calling a number and getting someone in another state or country. I highly recommend talking with Jeremy from Card Systems Inc. for all your processing and POS needs.
Zirilli’s Chilly Treats
by Chandra Spary-Kontinos | Apr 1, 2022 | Featured, POS Systems, Restaurant Industry News, Services, Uncategorized
What are the differences and the best choice for your business?
Are you considering Surcharging or Cash Discounting? Accepting credit cards is a necessity in today’s world. However, credit card processing fees are taking a larger chuck out of your profit margin these days, especially with the ever-increasing popularity of rewards cards. Moreover, many of the merchant fees associated with rewards cards tend to increase year after year, due to the escalation of the “Cash Back” incentives the Card Issuers give their cardholders.
Who pays for the majority of these incentives? You the merchant. More and more merchants are now electing to add a surcharge or implement a cash discount program to combat these rising costs. This may be a great option for your company if done correctly. So, what is the difference between surcharging and cash discounting?
Surcharging
- Surcharge: Adding a small percentage to a credit card transaction to offset the merchant fees for processing the credit card payment. This surcharge is added to offset the processing fees associated with accepting credit cards. This fee only applies to credit cards and does not apply to other forms of payment such as debit cards, cash, or checks. Surcharging must also be done in a compliant manner and by a processor that follows the rules and ensures their merchants are compliant.
Cash Discounting
- Cash Discount: A reduction in price for customers who pay with cash or check instead of credit or debit cards. The discount is deducted from the advertised price at the time of sale. Another method of Cash Discounting is adding a small percentage to increase the price of the sale, known as a Non-Cash Adjustment.
Making this Win-Win Solution
Ask yourself, is this a good move for your business? Will there be pushback from the customers? The solution is simple. Giving your customers an option to pay with a lower-cost alternative is a win-win! They continue to receive great pricing if they pay with cash or check, and you are able to offset your processing fees. It is good for both parties when these programs are rolled out correctly with proper signage, employee training, and a good Point of Sale System, which calculates and ensures compliance.
Card Systems understands that every business is unique, which is why we take a consultative approach to find the right solution for your business and card processing needs. Whether you’re just getting started or have been in business for decades, Card Systems can offer endless benefits to help you run your business more efficiently and more profitably.
