Credit card acceptance in the gastronomy industry
Great service including checkout: why card payments make a difference in the gastronomy industry.
Eine junge Gastronomin in dunkler Schürze steht selbstbewusst vor der Fensterfront ihres stilvollen Lokals, sichtbar platziert das American Express Logo als Zeichen moderner Kreditkartenakzeptanz. Die Szene vermittelt Qualität, Gastfreundschaft und unternehmerische Souveränität und zeigt, wie Händler und Akzeptanzpartner ihren Gästen ein komfortables, vertrauenswürdiges Bezahlerlebnis bieten. Das Bild visualisiert die Relevanz von American Express in der Gastronomie, wo Service, Anspruch und reibungslose Payment-Lösungen zusammenkommen.
At a glance:
credit card acceptance in the gastronomy industry
Offering credit card payments is an important sales and service factor for gastronomy outlets in Switzerland. It allows travelers, business customers and people who don’t carry cash to pay easily and make spontaneous purchases, for example. Card payments also reduce the cash handling and cash register risks as well as the amount of work closing out the day’s transactions.
Credit card payments boost turnover. While this payment method incurs transaction fees for gastronomy outlets, these are offset by internal cash-handling costs and lost turnover. As a card provider, American Express can be particularly beneficial for businesses that focus on premium, tourism or business markets.
The new culture of payment: How do customers pay at cafés and restaurants these days?
8.6 million – according to the Swiss National Bank’s (SNB) data portal, that was the number of credit cards in circulation in Switzerland in 2025. This figure represents an increase of more than 40 percent over the past ten years. According to the SNB’s latest survey on payment methods, younger and higher-income individuals, in particular, are using paper money and coins significantly less frequently than they did in 2020.
This shift away from cash toward card payments is not a uniquely Swiss phenomenon; in fact, it is more pronounced among people in other countries. Travelers from Scandinavia and North America, in particular, are already accustomed to using a smartphone or credit card to make payments. Many only carry a small amount of cash for emergencies.
That is why it’s more important than ever for gastronomy outlets to offer their customers the option to pay by credit card. After all, businesses that only offer guests one payment method are sacrificing convenience and potential revenue. Today, customers expect freedom of choice when settling their bills.
Why is accepting credit cards worthwhile in the gastronomy industry?
Many gastronomy outlets in Switzerland have long since discovered the benefits of accepting credit cards – while others are still struggling with the decision because they’re unsure whether the cost-benefit analysis adds up. Yet the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.
The most important reason: Payments made with credit cards, such as the American Express Gold Card or Platinum Card, boost turnover. According to the Swiss Payment Monitor 1/2026, the average amount of cash carried in wallets has dropped to CHF 82. At the same time, the percentage of people without cash in their wallets has reached another record high – hitting 17 percent.
In other words: People who want to eat out on a whim often don’t have enough cash to hand or have to cut back when ordering, so an extra bottle of wine, a dessert, or coffee after a meal would be out of the question. Accepting credit cards, however, ensures customers have sufficient funds. And holders of premium credit cards, such as American Express in particular, often spend more per bill than the average restaurant-goer.
Das schwarze Rechberg Logo auf weissem Grund mit der Jahreszahl 1837 steht sinnbildlich für gehobene Gastronomie, gewachsene Qualität und die Relevanz starker Akzeptanzpartner im AMEX Merchants Umfeld. Im redaktionellen Kontext rund um Kreditkartenakzeptanz zeigt das Bild, wie American Express anspruchsvollen Gästen sowie Restaurantbetreiberinnen und Restaurantbetreibern eine vertrauensvolle Verbindung aus Genuss, Service, stilvollem Ausgehen und komfortabler Bezahlung ermöglicht.
Das schwarze Logo des Restaurants Schiff Kesswil auf weissem Grund, ergänzt durch einen stilisierten Fisch und die Jahreszahl 2025, steht visuell für hochwertige Gastronomie und die Präsenz ausgewählter Akzeptanzpartner. Im redaktionellen Kontext zeigt das Bild, wie American Express Händler und Akzeptanzpartner sichtbar macht, die ihren Gästen komfortable Kreditkartenakzeptanz, reibungslose Bezahlprozesse und ein geschmackvolles, niveauvolles Erlebnis bieten.
Das schwarze Logo des Restaurants Strozzi's auf weissem Grund steht als klares visuelles Zeichen für hochwertige Gastronomie, verlässliche Kreditkartenakzeptanz und starke Partnerschaften mit American Express. Im redaktionellen Kontext zeigt das Motiv, wie ausgewählte Akzeptanzpartner genussorientierten Kundinnen und Kunden ein stilvolles Restauranterlebnis mit komfortablen Zahlungsoptionen verbinden. So transportiert das Bild Business-Attitüde, Qualität und den Mehrwert einer Marke, die exklusive Erlebnisse alltagstauglich macht.
Das schwarze Silex Logo auf weissem Grund steht für die Verbindung von anspruchsvoller Gastronomie, stilvollem Genuss und moderner Kreditkartenakzeptanz mit American Express. Als klarer Verweis auf einen Akzeptanzpartner zeigt das Bild Leserinnen und Lesern, wo sich exklusive Restaurantmomente mit komfortablen, smarten Zahlungslösungen verbinden. So unterstützt es redaktionelle Inhalte über kulinarische Adressen, Premium-Service und die Vorteile eines hochwertigen Bezahl- und Markenerlebnisses.
Rapid payment process, lower risk
More good news: The cashless payment process is convenient and secure – customers trust credit cards. And the quicker and easier the payment process is, the sooner tables can be reoccupied. Having less cash on hand reduces the risk of theft and shortfalls, and it also saves time cashing up at the end of the day.
And there’s another point that can be decisive for some gastronomy outlets: For fine-dining restaurants, group reservations, tasting menus, or high-demand events, requiring a credit card deposit can be important. That’s because reservations are sometimes legally binding in Switzerland.
Specific target groups: business travelers and tourists
Many gastronomy outlets rely on business travelers and tourists. The latter often have little or no Swiss francs to hand and depend on the acceptance of card payments.
Card acceptance allows them to pay in the local currency; the conversion is handled by their card provider or bank. This eliminates any currency conversions when paying with euros or other currencies.
In addition, business diners almost exclusively pay for their business meals with credit cards. This makes it easier to document expenses, submit them in bulk, and, in some cases, manage them through corporate credit card processes. Not offering credit card billing creates unnecessary administrative work for these customers.
Is American Express worthwhile for gastronomy outlets?
As the owner of a gastronomy outlet, accepting American Express allows you to close the premium gap: American Express credit cardholders belong to a high-spending customer segment and typically spend 20 to 50 percent more than other credit card users in Switzerland. Some 530,000 Swiss residents already have an American Express credit card, and worldwide, the number is just under 150 million.
Upscale dining establishments, wine events and hotel partnerships in particular benefit greatly from being American Express acceptance partners. The key question for gastronomy outlets is: How much revenue am I losing by not accepting American Express? For many restaurants and cafés, the loss can be significant.
Corporate cards and rewards programs
Key features include the popular American Express Business Cards and Corporate Cards, as well as the rewards programs for both business and private customers. For business travelers or employees with a corporate card, the fact that these cards are accepted at restaurants is already a significant convenience.
It is also worth paying for as many business expenses as possible with the American Express credit card to collect points through the Membership Rewards program. The more francs that appear on the credit card statement, the more points are collected – which can then be redeemed for attractive rewards.
And this bonus program is very popular with both personal and business customers. Therefore, if a restaurant where a customer can collect several hundred points with their American Express Card is available as an option – for a business lunch, for example – it is certain to go on their shortlist.
Free promotional materials and marketing campaigns
Something many owners of gastronomy outlets don’t realize: As an American Express acceptance partner, you can receive free promotional materials – ranging from stickers and bill folders to special industry-specific packages for the gastronomy industry, such as beer coasters, ashtrays, table mats, and bottle openers.
Gastronomy outlets can also benefit from marketing programs such as American Express Selects. Selects records more than 360,000 visitors annually.
Calculating fees correctly: Don’t just look at the percentage
A widespread misconception among owners of gastronomy outlets is that credit card processing fees are too expensive. However, the so-called interchange fee has declined significantly over the past 20 years. And with American Express gastronomy outlets only pay a 1.95 percent fee per transaction as long as their annual card turnover does not exceed CHF 100,000. There are no additional costs.
Remember: Cash payments also incur costs. These include, for example, the labor costs associated with providing change, processing payments at the cash register, emptying the cash register, depositing cash at your bank, as well as the work associated with securely storing cash.
And even if the costs for your business associated with handling cash are lower, lost revenue due to declining the use of cards is not factored into this comparison. For example, if a group of six leaves your establishment because their preferred card is not accepted, you lose out on a significant contribution margin.
The cheapest offer isn’t necessarily the most economical. What matters is whether the overall package fits your business, your customer base, and your expected payment volume.
The decision should therefore be data-driven. Try out accepting American Express for up to three months and evaluate the following things:
- Amount and total revenue of American Express transactions
- Average amount paid per payment method
- Return rate
- Percentage of international customers
- Turnover trends in higher-priced categories
- Feedback from the staff team and customers
That’s how a fee-related issue becomes a business decision
Benefits for Restaurants as Amex acceptance partners
Payment is customer service
A gastronomy outlet should offer its guests a contemporary selection of payment options: Cash, debit cards, credit cards, and mobile payments complement each other perfectly. Wide card acceptance facilitates spontaneous visits, streamlines processes, reduces cash handling, helps secure reservations, and provides convenience for both local and international customers.
Accepting American Express is a particularly valuable addition for outlets that focus on business, tourism, or premium markets. After all, the payment experience is part of the overall dining experience. When you make it easy for your customers to pay, you also make it easier for them to return.
Frequently asked questions and answers
Credit cards increase revenue and guest satisfaction because they enable fast, contactless payments and are often indispensable, especially for travelers and for spontaneous or larger purchases.
With American Express, owners of gastronomy outlets only pay a 1.95 percent fee per transaction as long as their annual American Express card turnover does not exceed CHF 100,000. There are no additional costs.
If you’re considering welcoming American Express Cardholders to your gastronomy outlet, you can submit your contact information via the merchant contact form and we’ll get back to you shortly. Or you can call us directly on 044 659 64 44 (daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and have your questions answered as quickly as possible.
