The short answer
A well-priced full-service restaurant runs 2.25%-2.60% effective. Above 3.1%, the usual causes are tiered pricing, late batch closing, tip adjustment downgrades, or delivery-channel fees being counted alongside card costs without separation.
Tips and timing
The authorise-then-adjust flow downgrades transactions when batches close late. Pay-at-table with the tip captured at authorisation removes the problem and shortens table turns at the same time.
Delivery apps are a separate conversation
Commission on third-party delivery dwarfs card processing. Track them separately, and treat first-party online ordering as the lever with real margin behind it.
Key takeaways
- Target 2.25%-2.60% effective for full service
- Pay-at-table removes tip-adjustment downgrades
- Separate delivery commission from card cost in reporting
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