Previously, restaurants were able to get by with a “Cash Only” policy. Especially if the restaurant enjoyed a good amount of traffic, it made sense to forget about all the fees and responsibilities of accepting credit cards. However, with research showing how much better business can be with cards, it’s pretty safe to say that card-free days are all but dead and gone. Credit card processing for small businesses has become essential, and having a robust, functional, and secure payment processing solution can be the secret sauce to a restaurant’s success. With all the perks of a Moolah merchant account, it makes sense for restaurants to get cooking.
When looking at payment providers, a top concern for most restaurant owners is the bottom line. However, the payment industry can be a bit overwhelming. Depending on the processor, ancillary fees can really start to add up. Line items such as batch fees, statement fees, PCI compliance fees, IRS reporting fees and customer service fees are sometimes built into solutions to increase profit margins, at the expense of yours.
At Moolah, we make things as simple and transparent as possible. We’re a subscription-based service, which means you pay monthly, and aren’t locked into anything. At 2.69% + $0.29, with a minimum monthly charge of $19.95, our rates are incredibly competitive, and best of all, there are no setup or termination fees. On top of this, the variety of no-cost partnerships, like our included DataGuardian membership or free Poynt terminal, mean you’ll really start to feel like you’re saving money!
For restaurants where customers interact with the POS, the interface can either leave customers with a positive, or negative view of your establishment. Moolah’s partnership with Poynt means that restaurants can get the best POS terminal on the market—for free! The ergonomic design, complete with screen for merchant and customer, makes for a smooth transaction every time.
Will people come back to your restaurant because of a great POS experience? Probably not. But it’s never a bad idea to make things as simple and stress-free as possible with a quality POS solution.
A merchant account shouldn’t limit what you’re capable of doing. Maybe you’re a brick and mortar, maybe you’re a food truck, maybe you’re a tent at the local farmer’s market—and maybe you’re all three! With Moolah, you can have the solution that matches your needs. No matter whether you’re swiping, keying in, or keeping track of cash payments in the same place, Moolah makes it happen, and offers the same low rate, no matter what type of transaction it is.
At Moolah, we understand that no two restaurants are the same. Despite this, we also know that restaurant owners have a few things in common, such as a love for individuality, and need for low fees. Make credit card processing for your small business simple, cool, and inexpensive with Moolah.
Thank you for scheduling. If you have any questions, please contact us at 800-625-1670.
A credit card surcharge is an additional fee added to a transaction when a patient chooses to pay with a credit card. The surcharge is intended to help offset the cost of credit card processing and applies only to eligible credit card transactions.
No. Debit card transactions may not be surcharged under any circumstances, even if the debit card is processed as a credit transaction or entered manually.
Yes. Credit card surcharges may not exceed the merchant’s actual cost of accepting credit cards and are capped at a maximum of 3% of the total transaction amount, in accordance with card-network rules and applicable law.
Yes. Card networks require clear and transparent disclosure of any credit card surcharge. Practices must notify patients through appropriate signage at the practice entrance, point of sale, and anywhere payments are accepted. If payments are accepted online, the surcharge must also be clearly disclosed on the practice’s website.
Yes. Some U.S. states and territories prohibit or restrict credit card surcharging. Practices are responsible for understanding and complying with their state’s specific requirements before implementing a surcharge.
No. While Moolah provides tools and general guidance to support credit card surcharging, compliance with all applicable laws and card-network rules is the responsibility of the merchant. Moolah does not provide legal advice and assumes no liability for a merchant’s compliance.
Most major credit card networks permit surcharging when done in accordance with their rules, but additional requirements or restrictions may apply. Practices should ensure they have completed all required network notifications and disclosures prior to enabling surcharging.
Failure to comply with surcharging rules may result in card-network fines, required refunds, or other enforcement actions. Practices should ensure they fully understand all applicable requirements before applying a surcharge.
Flex does not currently offer built-in support for credit card surcharging. If a practice chooses to enroll in a surcharge plan, payments would need to be processed through Moolah’s payment platform, which is designed to support surcharging and integrates directly with Open Dental.
If you are considering introducing a credit card surcharge for your patients, it is important to understand that there are specific rules and regulations that must be followed when enrolling in and operating under a surcharge plan.
This article provides a general overview of common surcharging requirements. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is the responsibility of each merchant to review, understand, and comply with all applicable laws, card-network rules, and regulatory requirements, including notification timeframes, signage requirements, surcharge percentage limits, and jurisdictions where surcharging is prohibited.
If you are unsure about the laws or regulations applicable to your practice, you should consult with qualified legal counsel. Moolah assumes no liability for a merchant’s compliance or non-compliance with credit card surcharging rules or regulations.
Transparent Communication
Card networks, including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express, require merchants to clearly and transparently disclose when a credit card surcharge is applied.
Practices must clearly notify patients of a credit card surcharge through appropriate signage placed at the practice entrance, at the point of sale or terminal, and anywhere payments are accepted. If payments are accepted online, surcharge disclosures must also be clearly visible on the practice’s website. All disclosures must inform patients that the surcharge applies only to credit card transactions.
Surcharge Limits
Credit card surcharges must comply with both card-network rules and applicable law. The surcharge amount may not exceed the merchant’s actual cost of accepting credit cards and may not exceed 3% of the total transaction amount.
Card-network rules cap credit card surcharges at 3%, meaning that if a merchant’s processing costs exceed this amount, the excess portion cannot be passed on to the patient.
Network and State Restrictions
The major credit card networks, such as Visa and Mastercard, impose specific requirements related to surcharge limits, advance notification, and disclosure.
In addition, several U.S. states and territories regulate or prohibit credit card surcharging. At the time of writing, credit card surcharging is prohibited in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and Puerto Rico. Other states, including Colorado, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, and New York, impose restrictions on surcharge amounts or require specific disclosures.
If your practice operates in a state that restricts or prohibits credit card surcharging, you must fully understand and comply with those requirements before implementing a surcharge.
Debit card transactions may never be surcharged, even if the debit card is processed as a credit transaction.
Applicability
Credit card surcharges may be applied only to credit card transactions. Other payment types, including debit cards and alternative payment methods, are not eligible for surcharging.
Regulatory Compliance
Merchants are responsible for maintaining ongoing compliance with all applicable card-network and legal requirements. This includes meeting advance notification obligations, using compliant signage and disclosures, adhering to surcharge percentage limits, and respecting jurisdiction-specific restrictions.
By following these guidelines, dental practices can implement credit card surcharging in a way that aligns with card-network rules and promotes transparency with patients. Clear and upfront communication helps maintain patient trust and supports a positive payment experience.