Splitting the bill without stress: pay at the table, step by step

A guest finishes dinner and wants to move on. Then the waiting starts: for the server, for the bill, for the terminal and for everyone at the table to work out who ordered what. QR code payment cuts that moment down to a few seconds.

Where the time goes when guests pay

Every trip a server makes to the table costs minutes: asking for the bill, printing it, bringing the terminal and, with a larger group, several payments one after another. At peak hours, those minutes add up to tables that free up too late. According to Townely, paying at the table saves about 15 minutes per table.

How QR code payment works

1. Scan the code. The guest scans the QR code on the table, browses the menu and calls staff over if they have questions. There's no app to install.
2. The bill. They pay for the whole bill or just part of it, whichever suits them.
3. Tip and payment method. They choose the tip amount and their preferred payment method. After entering a tax ID (NIP), they get a VAT invoice with their own details.
4. Feedback. They rate the server and the venue privately or post a review on Google.

Three ways to split the bill

• By item: everyone selects what they ordered and can also pay for someone else.
• Equal shares: the bill is divided, for example, three ways, and everyone pays the same amount.
• Custom amount: the guest enters the amount they want to pay.

Tipping without pressure

Guests choose the amount on their own phone, without being rushed and exactly when they're ready. According to Townely, paying at the table brings the team 12% more in tips and raises the average order value by 12.5%.

Is this the end of servers carrying payment terminals?

No. Guests can still pay the traditional way with their server, by card or in cash. What changes is what your team has time for: less running around with the terminal, more time talking to guests.

How to roll out QR payment in your venue

• Put a QR code on every table, somewhere visible and with the table number.
• Give your staff one line to repeat, for example: “You can pay the bill on your phone. The code is on the table.”
• Complete your menu: current prices, descriptions and photos that make guests want to order.
• Make a test payment before opening and check what the invoice looks like.
• Add a short note to the menu or at the entrance.

For restaurants, the system is ready in 48 hours without online payments, or within 7 days with online payments.

Questions guests ask

• “Do I need to install anything?” No. A phone camera is all you need.
• “Can I pay for a friend?” Yes. When splitting by item, a guest can also pay for other people.
• “I'd rather pay by card with the server.” No problem. QR code payment is a convenience, not an obligation.
• “I need an invoice.” Just enter a tax ID when paying, and the VAT invoice will come with the guest's details.

“Rolling out the whole system took us a few hours. Adding a new menu is super simple, and the whole team fell in love with the clean UX.”