If you operate a small business, you probably already know the growing importance of accepting mobile payments.
Research suggests mobile payments could reach $90 billion annually by 2017, and that’s not just in businesses like retail.
McDonald’s Leads a Mobile Payment Trend
News that fast food giant McDonald’s is exploring mobile payment options is a good indication of this. The company is testing a mobile order and payment system in restaurants in Salt Lake City and Austin, Bloomberg reports. A TV commercial promoting the new service appears below.
The fast food company, which also includes many franchises, is not alone in offering mobile services. Chain restaurant Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. offers a mobile app.
And, of course, now some can even order their morning cup of coffee via a mobile device. In fact, Starbucks recently saw a 10 percent jump in its U.S. mobile sales contributing to the best quarter in the chain’s 42 year history.
Consider Offering Mobile Payments
Sources say McDonald’s is exploring mobile as a way to boost sales after seeing disappointing numbers in August. Offering mobile payments can be one way to boost sales by giving customers even more payment choices.
Read more about your options for accepting mobile payments at Small Business Trends.
McDonald’s Photo via Shutterstock
Aira Bongco
This is interesting. It’s about time that something as common as fast food orders start utilizing technology for payments. I can only see good things in this trend. I can see other businesses accepting the same payment mode in the near future.
Joshua,
It’s indeed a trend to watch – mobile payments offer convenience and like what Aira said, I expect more businesses to jump into the bandwagon.
Jennifer D
McDonald’s often takes the lead in new technology. I’d love to see this work for them. Maybe it will work better than when some stores outsourced their drive-thru order taking.
Stacie
I’ve been using Isis quite a bit in the last couple months and I love it. Cant wait until it rolls out nationwide.