Typical Range
Restaurants typically pay 2.3%–3.1% effective rate
Full-service (5812), fast food (5814), caterers (5811) — each carries slightly different interchange
Restaurants processing profile
| Typical effective rate | 2.3% – 3.1% on interchange-plus pricing |
|---|---|
| Relevant MCC codes | 5812–5814 |
| Card mix | Restaurants typically see 55–70% credit, 30–45% debit — higher debit share than most verticals because of lunch and daytime traffic |
| Typical ticket size | $20–$45 for full-service, $9–$16 for fast casual — ticket size below $10 is where flat per-transaction fees quietly eat margin |
Where restaurants margin leaks out
- ·Tip adjustment and pre-auth holds sometimes get billed as separate 'non-qualified' transactions at a higher rate
- ·Third-party delivery platform fees are frequently confused with card processing fees on P&L reviews — they're not the same line
- ·Seasonal volume swings (patio season, holidays) mean a flat monthly minimum fee structure can cost more in slow months than it saves in busy ones
- ·Multi-location groups often discover each location is on a different, unreconciled rate because locations were onboarded at different times
Junk fees to check for on your statement
- ·PCI non-compliance fee (often avoidable with basic paperwork)
- ·Non-qualified surcharge on tip-adjusted transactions
- ·Monthly minimum fee even in slow months
- ·Statement/paper fee for a digital-only statement
- ·Batch fee per settlement
Cash discount & surcharge programs
Cash discount and surcharge programs are popular in this vertical — see our state-by-state surcharge law guide for what's compliant where you operate.
Common questions
What do restaurants typically pay for credit card processing?
On interchange-plus pricing, restaurants typically run a 2.3%–3.1% effective rate, depending on card mix and ticket size. Restaurants typically see 55–70% credit, 30–45% debit — higher debit share than most verticals because of lunch and daytime traffic
What junk fees should restaurants watch for on their statement?
Common ones in this vertical include PCI non-compliance fee (often avoidable with basic paperwork), Non-qualified surcharge on tip-adjusted transactions, Monthly minimum fee even in slow months, Statement/paper fee for a digital-only statement, and Batch fee per settlement. None of these are required by card networks — they're processor-added.
Is a cash discount or surcharge program a good fit for this vertical?
Cash discount and surcharge programs are popular in this vertical — see our state-by-state surcharge law guide for what's compliant where you operate.
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More fee guides
Rate ranges reflect typical interchange-plus pricing based on industry-standard interchange categories for this business type. Your actual rate depends on your specific card mix, ticket size, and processor. This is not a quote or guarantee — use the calculator above for a figure specific to your business.