It is almost time for my annual foray into the real world of foodservice - aka the dreaded lenten fish fries are upon us.

Last night, about 10 of us who head up this met for our pre-event meeting.  One of the questions came up was accepting credit cards.  We run this fish fry for six weeks = every Friday during Lent.  We serve between 800-975 per night.  People can buy the tickets ahead of time with cash and we take cash at the door.

So, the question came up - should we start accepting credit cards?  Our church does have a CC merchant number which we pay $40 a month to use on one day for a different fundraiser.  We can accept Visa and Mastercard for a 2% fee.  We were thinking that we could allow people to buy tickets at the door using the credit cards.

Pros - we would get the sales that we are missing because a family of four would have to have about $50 in cash to come to our dinners, and it would make me feel a bit better to use the credit card that we are paying for.

Con - we would need a second person at the door - and remember we are all volunteers.  In addition, we can't setup an electronic verification - we would have to use the knuckle buster and the church bookkeeper would have to call them in on Monday morning.  It would be an understatement to say that she will throw a hissy.

So - what do you think?  THe adult ticket is $8.50, so the cc fee is 17cents. Do you think it would be worth it?

Food Write
The Responsible Serving of Alcoholic Beverages

Beth, the question you need to ask is:  Would you be gaining new sales by accepting credit cards or simply replacing cash sales with credit card sales.

I suggest making the regular price slightly higher and have a discounted price for using cash. 

Our harvest dinner is only one night at 1500 folks so 6 weeks WOW! You go girl. But how hard will it be to change how you advertise this. That is the problem as I see it. If the regulars that come back every year expect one thing that's good. New customers how will you let them know that credit cards can be used?

Offer extra help for the calling in would be very nice. Then if it really brings people in use it again if not don't. I say try it once and see. But again how would you advertise the change?

http://www.myspace.com/thereallunchlady
"Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain" Unknown

Beth:

I was at a biker event several years ago. One of the vendors had a wireless terminal. Don't know the cost, company or anything else, but might be worth looking at.

Also, in our market, and we are so backwards that the sun rises in the West is debit cards. How does your merchant agreement handle them???

John 

Thanks, come back, bring friends and money!!!

Beth,

I see your entry into plastic as gold.  Yes, this year will be rocky.  Next year will be silver and beyond that... gold!  Howard's cash discount would be a good thing.  And it'd certainly make your bookkeepper feel easier on Monday.  The deadbeat plastic holders???  Do you really think that'd be an issue?

Are your patrons ALL from the church or are they "civilians" as well?  If they're from the church, one good "You's goin' t'hell" sermon will fix that.  If they're from the community, do what any other restaurant would do if they were purposely hit with bad plastic.  Call the cops.  THAT'LL make the papers for sure!

If you decide to take the plastic, make sure your advertising reflects that.  If you decide to offer a cash discount, ditto.  Nobody wants to be caught with their wallet empty.

Ciao,

It is an all hands on deck event - everyone in the church works the fries - or at least bakes on their days off. So, on any given night our customers are

1/6 of the parish (the ones that are off)

everyone's relatives

and the civilians - on a given night about 75% of the customers are non-parishioners.  This year is not an election year, so we won't get the politician bump (we make them buy one ticket for themselves, and one ticket for their campaign button).

We would advertise in the papers and the other churches in town bulletin. 

One question on the wireless - can we do a daily rental?  I don't want to spend money on something used 6 times a year, but if we could rent it, it would make sense.

For the discount - we give one already for buying tickets early - that becomes our money for our first delivery.  I checked and no one wants to add a second discount... we can't afford that. 

Food Write
The Responsible Serving of Alcoholic Beverages

Everyone is using credit or debit cards, look at the earnings / profit this week for Mastercard and Visa. They are the only ones making money. All the fastfood places take credit, Starbucks for a cup of Joe, I always ask the question, Do you still take cash. I think your right, a family of 4 having a few $20's, or a $50 dollar bill,, not likely in Mom or Dads pocket. I don't think most people carry cash anymore. I would never charge more to take a credit card, its just part of doing business. Great price for a fish fry, and something a family can afford. I will take two to go, extra tartar please...................Good luck Bill

Hafa Adai Beth,

The one question you need answered is "will it bring in more customers?" your existing customer base will switch to credit or debit cards if the option is there. But, will this benifit to your potential customers bring them in? Is the question you need answered. If it only benifits your existing customers and does not bring in more customers, then you have your answer.

On the other hand, I agree with most of every one here. I personsally believe cash is king. I do not use any credit cards and only carry a debit card. I do not carry much cash with me on a daily basis and prefer to flash my good ole debit card around. When was the last timew you had a fifty dollar bill in your pocket? It has been a while for me....

Chef Kevin

I am the Queen of To-gos Chef Bill - come on down.....

Okay - I will work on finding a volunteer to do the knuckle buster and I will tell the church secretary and the lady who does the cash at the door.  Think good thoughts - both will have a fit when I tell them.

No debit cards - but I agree - it is rare to see people with that much cash on them.  We won't take the cards at the bar - cash only there.

Food Write
The Responsible Serving of Alcoholic Beverages

I have a thing about tax free and labor free competition. God or no God.