Philadelphia Outlaws Cashless: What it Means to You
May 1, 2019In early March, Philadelphia became the first city in the U.S. to forbid restaurants from refusing cash payments. As of July 1, all Philadelphia restaurants will have to accept cash payments and cannot charge cash-paying customers more than non-cash ones. Several other cities and states are considering similar rules.
What’s going on? Does it matter to you as a Little Rock restaurant owner and manager focused equipment for the restaurant?
It certainly does, especially if the initiative spreads into our area. Here’s what you need to know.
Why Restaurants Go Cashless
Restaurants choose to go cashless for two reasons: efficiency and security. When you don’t accept cash payments, you can process transactions much more quickly in any establishment. This is especially important to quick service, fast food, and coffee shops.
No one wants a long line waiting for service, and by offering only cashless transactions you can significantly speed up how quickly everything moves.
In addition, cashless transactions help with store and restaurant security. When there’s no cash on site because cash is not accepted, there is no reason for anyone to rob the store.
Restaurant owners enjoy that the equipment for the restaurant can be simplified when you don’t need safes, cash drawers, and other cash-related supplies.
Why Philadelphia Outlawed Cashless
So if it’s both more efficient and faster, why would a major city outlaw businesses going cashless? The answer is related to the fact that a certain percentage of people are “unbanked,” or don’t have access to a bank or credit account.
If businesses and restaurants don’t accept cash, they are excluding these folks from the local economy. This is seen as unfair discrimination against those who don’t or can’t, use traditional banking services. They need eateries to have equipment for the restaurant that allow cash payments.
The pushback against cashless businesses was started by advocates for the unbanked, but many say that Philadelphia’s rules don’t go far enough because there are still exclusions. For instance, parking lots and garages, large membership stores like Sam’s Club, and retailers that accept mobile payments can all refuse to accept cash payments.
What This Means for Your Little Rock Restaurant
Neither Little Rock nor Arkansas have introduced an initiative regarding cashless businesses. However, many eyes are watching the outcome of the Philadelphia ban and other similar laws. If the movement becomes widespread, you may face difficult decisions about this in the future.
Maybe you are perfectly comfortable accepting cash now, but technology is moving quickly and you may find yourself relying on equipment for the restaurant that is primarily cashless in the future. Or, perhaps you are already eying cashless tech in the hopes of cutting costs and improving safety.
Either way, knowing the trends around cashless nationwide can directly impact your business.
Get the Equipment for the Restaurant That You Need
Are you looking for additional equipment for your restaurant? From cooking equipment to smallwares, there always seems to be something you need. Fortunately, you can work with a local supplier who can help you source everything you need.
No matter what equipment for the restaurant you’re looking for right now, let us help you. Contact us today for availability and pricing!
Restaurant Supplies: The Growing Menu Role of Specialty Cheeses
As a commercial restaurant owner or manager, you might wonder what you can do to revive your menu a bit. There are a lot of fun ways to diversify your menu, but one trend you might have noticed is the growing role of specialty cheeses. We’ve all used common cheeses,...
It’s a Toast: Why We Love the “Friends” Kitchen
Welcome to our new series, “Roast and Toast!” Each month we’re going to feature one kitchen we love and one kitchen we hate. It can be from anywhere – a sitcom, a cooking show, a cartoon, a movie, or any other screen you’d see one on! We’re starting off with a toast...
Ready to Open a Second Restaurant Location?
If your current restaurant is booming, it might be time to consider a second location. Congratulations on your current success – you’ve already beaten the odds! Opening a second location can be easier than your first one – you’ve already worked out a lot of the kinks....
The One Product to Boost Convenience Store Sales
Is there one product that can single-handedly make or break the success of your convenience store? A lot of store owners would say no. When they look at their store, they see products coming from hot dish foodservice equipment, shelves, and a variety of categories...
Restaurant Equipment Spotlight: Gas vs. Electric
Does your Little Rock restaurant use gas or electric restaurant equipment? In all likelihood you made this decision a long time ago, but it’s one that can always be reconsidered. There are benefits to both. If you’re opening a new restaurant location, it’s vital to...
Restaurant Equipment: Self-Ordering Technology
One of the biggest challenges of running a restaurant is keeping up with all the technology and restaurant equipment that is available. You might have thought when you opened your location that you could run things basically the same way for decades. While they may...
Four Tips to Opening a Successful Restaurant
Have you been dreaming about bringing your food expertise to the forefront of you life? Many people have thought about opening their own restaurant. Folks don’t follow through for a variety of reasons – money, fear, or simple inertia. You can be different, though. You...
The Case for Timeless Restaurant Décor
What’s the newest trend in restaurant décor? Evidently, people are loving “Millennial pink,” and they’re using it for everything. If you’re trying to keep up with what’s hot, you better get some new restaurant supplies right away! And remember, this isn’t just any...
Deep Fry Safely & Efficiently
When it comes to kitchen equipment, knowing how to use it correctly is vital. Not only does it keep your employees safe, it ensures that the food comes out well and that your equipment last a long time in good condition. Using a deep fryer may seem pretty simple, and...
Should You Buy Closeout Restaurant Supplies?
As a restaurant owner, you, of course, want to save money in any way possible. Restaurant margins are known for being razor-thin, so every dollar counts. Because of this, you might be tempted when you see a closeout deal for restaurant supplies. After all, you can get...
Choosing Environmentally Friendly Restaurant Supplies
There’s been a lot of controversy recently about restaurant supplies and how they affect the environment. The current focus is on plastic straws, but the same conversation has been had about Styrofoam and a variety of other materials. Can you choose environmentally...
Restaurant Supplies to Prepare Your Location for Spring
In March you can begin to feel warmer weather around the corner here in Little Rock. After all, the groundhog didn’t see its shadow this year, so we’re in for an early spring, right? As you think about how to prepare your restaurant for spring, think about getting the...
Proper Use of Cutting Boards
Food safety is vital to every restaurant – consistent inspections make sure of it! Unfortunately, the day-to-day operations can sometimes mean that safety falls through the cracks. One thing that can get overlooked in a busy kitchen is the safe use of cutting boards....
Four Myths About Food Trucks
You probably know that the food truck industry is booming – it’s grown by 7.3% in the last five years and shows no signs of slowing down. That makes it an attractive industry for anyone interested in serving food – from established restaurants to new entrepreneurs....
Kitchen Equipment: Choosing the Right Cutting Board
Every kitchen, from a food truck to a large restaurant, needs cutting boards. From vegetables to bread to meat and fish, your chefs and cooks have to chop things every day. Have you put a lot of thought into this important piece of kitchen equipment? Like many other...