Tap to Pay kiosk: the new standard for restaurant checkouts in 2026
04 December 2025
To bring 2025 to a close, we unveil our latest innovation: the Tap to Pay terminal.
A kiosk that cashes directly using "contactless" technology, without the need for an Eftpos terminal, to save time on each order and absorb rush peaks.
Today, in France, one payment in two already uses contactless technology. And with an average spend of €17 per card (€22 via mobile)We're right in the ballpark of a takeaway or quick lunch.
It's no surprise that this payment method has become a reflex for your customers.
Integrating Tap to Pay directly into the kiosk was the logical next step, to improve the customer experience while simplifying the work of our teams.
In this article, we show you what this solution can do for a high-volume facilityWe'll show you how it works, and answer any questions you may have about Tap to Pay in foodservice.
The Tap to Pay kiosk: integrated checkout that changes service
How does a Tap to Pay kiosk work?
A Tap to Pay kiosk manages the entire customer journey, from menu selection to payment, without the need for a conventional bank terminal.
When customers validate their order, the terminal offers them the option of paying directly by contactless payment. He brings his card or cell phone close to the NFC zone, the terminal picks up the signal, encrypts the information and sends the request to the banking network. Confirmation appears a few seconds later, and the order immediately goes into production.
The kiosk becomes a stand-alone payment point.
What are the benefits for high-flow establishments?
In plants with high throughput, the slightest extra step can slow down the passage.
When payment is made via an Eftpos terminal placed next to the kiosk, the customer performs two distinct actions: order and pay. It creates a little airlock between the two moments.
With a Tap to Pay terminal, this separation disappears. Everything happens in the same place, at the same time, and without any additional equipment.
What it changes:
✔ a more direct route: the customer orders and pays on the same interface, which naturally reduces the time spent at the kiosk.
✔ a smoother flow: when cash-in is integrated, the queue moves forward more steadily, especially at peak lunchtimes.
✔ fewer manipulations on the team side : no need to manage a dedicated terminal or intervene to accompany the payment.
✔ a more streamlined control area: no additional appliances to connect or integrate into the space.
High-flow establishments (fast food, food courts, leisure complexes) find it a reliable way of smoothing throughput and avoiding the minor slowdowns that, cumulatively, end up affecting the queue.
Why has Obypay chosen to integrate Tap to Pay into its kiosks?
At Obypay, we develop all-in-one solutions to make life easier for restaurateurs: ordering & payment, loyalty... on a single interface.
The integration of Tap to Pay in order terminals is part of this continuity.
This novelty comes from observations made directly in the field:
➜ group together the key stages: when order and payment are made at the kiosk, the flow is more linear and the queue moves more smoothly.
➜ reduce the material around the counter : a single piece of equipment to install, configure and maintain.
This integration is in line with our all-in-one approach: a single interface to manage the entire route and make operation easier to control.
Tap to Pay VS traditional POS: what's the right choice for your restaurant?
01. Speed: payment in line with your service rhythm
Tap to Pay allows you to cash in instantly, without having to pass the terminal from hand to hand.
With a conventional POS terminal, lost time can quickly add up: unstable connection, forgotten PIN code, terminal shared between servers... Tap to Pay makes service more fluid and reduces queues, especially during rush hour.
02. Costs: say goodbye to hidden VSE costs
Very small businesses often involve fixed costs: monthly rental, maintenance, equipment renewal... And every breakdown costs time and sales.
In the long term, the Tap to Pay solution represents real savings, especially for establishments with multiple points of sale.
03. Maintenance: no more restarting VSEs in the middle of a rush
A VSE that crashes in the middle of service is every restaurateur's worst nightmare.
Tap to Pay eliminates this risk: no cables to unplug, no terminals to reboot or batteries to monitor.
And if the network goes down, the transaction is stored in memory and sent automatically once the connection is re-established.
Tap to Pay in restaurants: answers to your questions
01. What is Tap to Pay and how is it different from conventional contactless payment?
Tap to Pay is a contactless payment method that enables cash to be collected without the need for an external banking terminal (TPE).
When a customer approaches his card or phone :
➜ the merchant's device picks up the signal via NFC
➜ the transaction is encrypted and sent to the banking network (Visa, Mastercard, etc.)
➜ confirmation appears in real time on the display
This solution is based on the same logic as conventional contactless payment, but with one key difference: the merchant no longer needs dedicated hardware.
This is known as a SoftPOS (Software Point of Sale): your device itself becomes a cash terminal.
02. Is Tap to Pay as secure as a traditional POS terminal?
Tap to Pay meets the same requirements as conventional POS terminals. Bank data is encrypted, never stored and transmitted via certified banking networks.
Every transaction complies with European standards PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), the same as those applied to conventional Eftpos terminals.
03. What types of cards and e-wallets are compatible?
Tap to Pay payments are compatible with :
✔ Visa, Mastercard, American Express and leading French banks
✔ Mobile wallets such as Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay
04. What is the contactless payment ceiling on a Tap to Pay terminal?
In France, payment without a PIN code is still capped at €50. This limit does not apply to payments made via an electronic wallet. (like Apple Pay or Google Pay)The user confirms the transaction with biometric authentication.
05. Can a Tap to Pay kiosk be combined with QR Code orders or order-taking tablets?
Yes, and that's one of the strengths of Obypay's all-in-one solution: all channels are linked to the same back office.
You can :
➜ use QR Codes to streamline on-site ordering
➜ equip your teams with tablets to take orders in the dining room
➜ install Tap to Pay terminals to absorb the bulk of the flow
Adopt Tap to Pay technology now
Make an appointment with our team to find out more about Obypay's Tap to Pay kiosks and get faster, smoother service from the very next time you use them.
