MassPay Insights

Overcoming Payout Challenges in the Restaurant Industry: The Key to Better Relationships

Written by Chris Rechtsteiner | Jul 28, 2024 2:48:28 AM

Restaurants are known for having unique and complex payment needs – whether it’s money coming in or money going out of the business.  

In fact, 62% of restaurants are losing money or barely making ends meet, an increase of 9% from 53% in July 2023.

Integrated payout options offer a way to streamline payment and payout processes and improve overall operations. A payout orchestration partner is the best way for restaurants to improve employee satisfaction and reduce administrative expenses. 

Common Challenges in the Restaurant Industry

Payouts of Tips & Wages

Managing tips and ensuring fair distribution among staff is another complex challenge. The hospitality industry heavily relies on tips as a significant portion of employees' earnings which is paid out from the restaurant’s existing cash flow. 

Owners are sometimes forced to sit on tip payouts because of cash flow problems, which can affect employee satisfaction. 

Disbursing earned wages promptly helps restaurants maintain employee satisfaction and compliance with labor laws. 

Tips continue to pose a logistical and operational challenge for many restaurateurs.

 

Limitations of Traditional Payout Systems

Traditional payout systems are fraught with inefficiencies. They are mostly manual, meaning they’re time-consuming and prone to errors, causing delays in payment processing and dissatisfaction among employees. 

Owners know that money needs to move fast in their business, and slow-moving cash flow can quickly grind your business to a halt.

42% of small businesses reported having positive cash flow. However, the average payment delay was nine days, which is a lot.

Another factor contributing to the need for better technology is the rise in cashless purchases in pubs and restaurants. 

More and more consumers are paying (and tipping) online, especially now with many restaurants promoting online ordering. The industry has seen a big increase in mobile payments. 

But restaurant payment systems continue to lack flexibility and fail to provide the business with instant access to funds – a crucial requirement for establishments that currently rely on unstable cash flow to meet their daily needs.

The Opportunities of an Integrated Approach to Payouts


In today’s tech-savvy environment, payroll operations can be straightforward and automated. An integrated approach eliminates mistakes and administrative work while increasing the speed of payouts and guaranteeing payment accuracy.

With the right payout partner, restaurants can provide instant payouts for tips and earned wages, to help improve employee satisfaction, increase retention rates, and keep their workforce motivated.

 

POS/RMS Platform Integration

MassPay offers payout solutions that help restaurant owners reduce their burdens. It provides a smooth integration with existing restaurant management and point-of-sale systems. 

In an industry where profit margins are notoriously low and even little errors may have a significant negative impact on earnings, it is especially beneficial to work with a detail-oriented partner. 

Restaurants operate more profitably and efficiently, resolve important operational issues, and gain a comprehensive solution that works for employees and management alike through MassPay.

Imagine alignment and even automated cash flow processes across the board – from payroll administration to sales tracking – through a unified and effective system. 

MassPay enables restaurants to streamline their payments through a single platform where they can manage every part of the restaurant’s payout operations from their chosen POS / RMS. Cash flow, tip & earned wage payouts, and digital payments can all be handled seamlessly, in one place.

 

Instant Payouts in Numerous Ways

Employee retention is higher when restaurants are able to prioritize employee well-being. 60% of workers who stated they thought their bosses didn't care about their welfare claimed they would likely hunt for other employment during the next 12 months.

However, with so many things to manage and razor-thin profit margins, it can be challenging for restaurant owners to focus on employees' increasing needs. 

A simple way to improve employee well-being is by enabling them to select their preferred payout options. This increases employee satisfaction and empowers them to choose how they receive their earnings. 

Whether through direct bank deposits, digital wallets, or prepaid cards, the flexibility of payout methods caters to diverse preferences and needs. 

  • Debit card instant payouts allow for end-of-day or end-of-shift cash.
  • Wire transfers and ACH bank transfers enable money to be sent right away to designated bank accounts.
  • Access to instantaneous payments to digital and mobile wallets can be sent throughout the globe.
  • To satisfy a variety of preferences, APMs offer Instant Payouts to top international Alternative Payout Methods (PayPal, Zelle, etc.).

Giving employees access to their preferred payment choices enhances employee satisfaction and helps restaurant owners show they are committed to meeting staff’s needs.

 

Streamlined Compliance

POS / RMS developers must also help restaurant owners pay close attention to wage and tip compliance, as well as labor laws. MassPay helps maintain precise KYC and tips and earned wages records to facilitate compliance. 

When all compliance and transaction data are recorded through an integrated system with automated tracking and reporting, owners can reduce the risk of penalties and legal issues. Up-to-the-second record-keeping ensures managers and owners can trust their system to be reliable and transparent.

 

Automated, Customizable Payout Schedules

MassPay enables users to set up automated pay schedules and make payouts an easy process. Plus, it eliminates the chance of human mistakes and delays, to guarantee that workers get paid on schedule and correctly. 

Restaurant owners can increase employee and supplier happiness through customizable pay schedules that align payouts with their partners’ operational needs.

The Impact of a Payout Partner on the Restaurants Industry

A restaurant’s operations can be streamlined with the use of an integrated payment strategy and the right partner.

 

Improved Financial Health and Cash Flow

To enhance cash flow and guarantee that money is accessible right away, MassPay offers:

  • Real-time payouts, instant payments to staff and vendors
  • Automated payment scheduling which helps in cash flow management during seasonal fluctuations

Because unforeseen costs might put pressure on limited funds. Owners can effectively handle these expenses with the help of MassPay's quick payments and multi-currency capabilities.

 

Enhanced Employee Satisfaction and Retention

It's difficult to manage and distribute tips accurately. For this reason, MassPay offers timely payouts to employees guaranteed through automated tip distribution. 

  • Instant payments help relieve cash flow limitations so that tips may be disbursed on schedule
  • Real-time payouts eliminate delays, providing immediate access to funds

When workers get paid on time, it improves employee overall satisfaction.

There is a direct link between timely, reliable wage payments and higher employee morale and retention rates. Stable, and happy staff, translates to better service quality and customer satisfaction, ultimately benefiting the restaurant’s bottom line.

Better Restaurant Processes Are Possible

Streamlined money in and money out is essential for the success of any restaurant. MassPay helps POS and RMS developers address common payout challenges by simplifying processes, delivering seamless integration, ensuring compliance, and improving employee satisfaction. 

Help your restaurant customers overcome their cash flow management problems with a robust and completely customizable instant payout integration and explore how MassPay can transform your business and future proof it against technological advances...