The Platform Fee is a fee for the technology and services that power your kitchen's operations — it is not a surcharge on any particular payment method. The base Platform Fee is 4%, with a 2% discount available for lower-cost payment methods. Here's how each payment method works:
Credit Card
Credit card is the easiest payment method for food businesses to set up, and payments are processed the fastest — helping kitchens maintain consistent cash flow without requiring extra steps. The base Platform Fee of 4% applies to credit card payments. This fee can be internalized by the kitchen as a cost of doing business, or externalized and added to the food business's bill.
Note: single charges under $30.00 paid by credit or debit card will include an additional $0.30 fee.
Bank Transfer (ACH)
Bank transfer (ACH) takes a few more steps to set up for food businesses — it requires a short verification process before it can be used — and payments take longer to arrive in the kitchen's account than credit card payments. However, bank transfer qualifies for a 2% discount off the base Platform Fee, bringing it down to 2%. Like the credit card fee, this can be internalized by the kitchen or passed on to the client.
For Canadian kitchens, this payment method is called PAD and works the same way.
Manual (Cash or Check)
If a kitchen accepts cash or paper check, they are responsible for manually collecting payment and reconciling their client bills in the platform. Manual payments also qualify for the 2% discount off the base Platform Fee, bringing it down to 2%. This fee can be internalized by the kitchen or passed on to the client.
Summary of key differences
Platform Fee: The base Platform Fee is 4%. Bank transfer and manual payments receive a 2% discount, resulting in a 2% Platform Fee. The Platform Fee is not a surcharge on credit card use — it is a fee for platform services, with a discount available for lower-cost payment methods.
Processing speed: Credit card payments process fastest. Bank transfer payments take longer to arrive in the kitchen's account.
Setup: Credit card requires fewer setup steps than bank transfer. Manual requires no setup but does require the kitchen to manually collect and reconcile payments.
Availability: Not all kitchens offer manual payment — check with your kitchen operator.