Do I need EPOS if I only have a small café?

A card machine and an EPOS system do different jobs. If you need help managing menus, orders or sales reporting, EPOS may be useful. If you already have a till that works for you, start by checking what you actually need to change.

How much does a café card machine cost?

Compare the equipment cost with processing charges, software and any connection fees. Your average sale value matters: a per-transaction charge affects lots of small coffee purchases differently from fewer large bills. Bring a statement, or your expected turnover and basket size, so we can prepare a relevant quote.

Can I take payments at tables as well as the counter?

We can discuss portable terminals and the connectivity your premises needs. Connecting table payments to an existing till requires a separate compatibility check.

Can customers order breakfast or lunch for collection?

Online ordering is one option. We'll need to understand your menu, collection process and EPOS before confirming the setup and any supported connections.

Is loyalty included with every EPOS package?

No single feature list applies to every package. Tell us the loyalty offer you want and ask for its availability, cost and operation to be confirmed in the proposal.

Cafés and coffee shops

Card machines and EPOS for cafés and coffee shops

Coffee to go, a table ordering brunch and a customer collecting lunch do not all follow the same path through your café. We help you choose card machines, EPOS and online ordering around the service you offer, with a clear look at the costs of taking lots of smaller payments.

Start in the right place

Already taking payments, or starting from scratch?

Already taking card payments?

Have a recent merchant statement ready. We'll check your rates, contract and settlement details, explain what you're paying, and show you what could change. Where eligible, we'll match or beat your current payment rate.

Get a free statement review

The form also asks for your business and contact details.

Setting up a new business?

You do not need a merchant statement. Start with an estimate for the way you expect customers to pay, then ask us for a quote tailored to your business.

Estimate in-person payment costs Taking payments online? Estimate online costs

Estimates are indicative, not formal quotes.

Save up to 64% on payment processing
Terminal contracts from 30 days
98% of callbacks returned within two business hours

Savings depend on your current setup and eligibility. Contract options run from 30 days to 18 months.

Think through the morning rush

Keep the counter arrangement practical

Look at where staff enter an order, where the customer pays and where the order is collected. A countertop terminal may suit a fixed payment point; a portable option may be useful if staff also serve tables. Consider counter space, charging and the connection before choosing a card machine.

Make food and drink orders clear

Milk choices, extras and food sent to the kitchen can make an order more involved than a single item on a till. If you need EPOS, ask for a demonstration using your own menu and common changes. Check how the team sees the order and how the payment reaches the bill.

Give collection orders a defined place

If customers order ahead, decide how those orders will fit alongside people waiting at the counter. Our online ordering options are worth discussing if you want customers to order and pay before collection. Availability, collection times and the connection to your till need checking for the chosen setup.

Compare costs using your actual basket sizes

A percentage rate alone does not tell you what a month of payments will cost. Include any per-transaction charge, terminal rental, software fees and other charges in the comparison. The mix of a single coffee, breakfast for two and larger food orders affects how useful a headline price is to your business.

For an existing café, bring a recent merchant statement. If you are opening, use realistic estimates of turnover and average sale value as a starting point. The calculator provides an indication; your tailored quote should reflect your actual requirements.

Choosing a POS or EPOS system for your coffee shop

POS means point of sale; EPOS is an electronic point-of-sale system. It helps record sales and, depending on the setup, manage menus and orders. The card machine takes the payment. If you want the two to work together, ask us to check the connection before choosing a package.

Start with menu entry, staff access and the reports you need at the end of the day. Then consider extras such as loyalty, kitchen screens or stock tools. Ask which are included in the proposed package and which have separate costs or connections.

For loyalty in particular, check how customers join, how staff apply a reward and whether another service is involved. A demonstration of your intended offer is more useful than assuming every EPOS system includes the same loyalty tools.

Help with your setup

A named person to talk to

We're based in Ellesmere Port, and you'll have a named account manager. Tell us how your business takes payments, what needs to connect and where your current setup gets in the way. We'll help you compare the options and explain the proposed setup before you decide.

Customer experiences

What business owners say about working with us

Read about customers' experiences of our setup help and ongoing support.

Read customer reviews

Café payment questions

Talk to us about payments for your café

Tell us what you need to take payments for and what you would like to improve.

Ready to look at your payment setup?

Already taking payments? Start with a free statement review. Opening a new business? Explore payment costs, then talk to us about the equipment and services you need.

Get a free statement review Estimate in-person payment costs

Taking payments online? Estimate online costs