How a Waiter App with Integrated Payments Can Increase Sales and Cut Staff Costs

Hospitality businesses across the UK are under pressure. Rising minimum wages, increased National Insurance contributions, and ongoing staff shortages are stretching budgets thin. At the same time, customer expectations around speed, service, and convenience have never been higher.

But there’s good news: technology can help. Using a Waiter App with integrated card payments not only improves service — it can also reduce your wage bill and increase sales. Here’s how.

The Cost of Staffing in 2025

The UK hospitality sector has seen steep wage pressures in recent years:

  • In April 2024, the National Minimum Wage rose again — with the National Living Wage now applying to anyone aged 21 and over.

  • National Insurance contributions have also shifted, increasing the overall cost of employment.

  • Many businesses are struggling to find and retain skilled staff, especially during evenings and weekends.

In this climate, reducing reliance on large front-of-house teams — without sacrificing customer service — is more important than ever.

What Is the Waiter App?

The TapaPOS Waiter App allows your staff to:

  • Take food and drink orders at the table

  • Send orders straight to the kitchen or bar

  • Take card payments instantly via TapaPay

No running back and forth to the till. No shared card machines. No queues. Just faster service, happier customers, and a more efficient team.

How the Waiter App Helps You Sell More

  1. Faster table turns = more covers, more revenue

  2. Upselling built in – staff can suggest extras and modifiers easily

  3. No forgotten items – fewer order errors, smoother service

  4. No delay at payment – guests can pay and go when they’re ready

Every extra 10 minutes saved per table adds up — especially during peak times.

How It Cuts Labour Costs

A streamlined order-and-pay process means:

  • Fewer staff can cover more tables

  • You can run efficient service with smaller teams during quieter shifts

  • New or junior staff can take orders confidently using prompts

  • No need to invest in multiple card terminals

With integrated TapaPay, staff can take contactless or chip & PIN payments right at the table — all synced directly to the POS system.

Lower Fees, Faster Settlement with TapaPay

Not only is TapaPay fully integrated into the Waiter App, it also offers:

  • Transparent fees by card type (no vague percentage ranges)

  • No minimum transaction fees

  • Fast settlement — so you get paid quicker

  • One system for everything – POS, payments, and reporting in one place

Real Impact for Real Businesses

Imagine a busy 80-cover restaurant on a Saturday night:

  • With traditional tills, you might need 5 front-of-house staff

  • With the Waiter App, 3 or 4 well-trained team members can deliver faster service

  • You reduce wage costs by 20–25% while serving more tables, more efficiently

Over the course of a week, those savings and extra sales add up.

Conclusion

As wage costs continue to rise in the UK, hospitality businesses need smarter ways to operate. A Waiter App with integrated payments is a simple, powerful solution that improves both your customer experience and your bottom line.

Ready to Increase Sales and Cut Staff Costs?

Learn more about the Waiter App from TapaPOS
See how integrated TapaPay helps reduce fees
Book a free demo with our team

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How to Lower Card Payment Fees for Your Small Business in the UK & Ireland