Card acquiring is a central part of the process when your guests pay by payment card in your restaurant or café. It covers the whole technical and financial handling of a card payment – from the moment a guest inserts their card into the terminal until the money lands in the business’s account. Card acquiring takes place under an acquiring agreement with an acquirer, the financial partner that processes and transfers the money securely.

When a guest pays by card, for example a Visa or Mastercard, the payment goes through several steps: first the transaction is authorised, then the money is transferred from the guest’s bank to the acquirer, and then on to the restaurant. This process is called card acquiring – and it is an absolutely essential part of any modern payment solution.

A concrete example: Imagine a café using the Flexybox POS system. When a guest pays for a latte by payment card, the Flexybox system and the connected terminal send the transaction to the acquirer. There the amount is authorised before it is transferred automatically to the café’s bank account. All of this happens quickly and without manual handling – thanks to integrated card acquiring.

It is important to understand card acquiring because it affects both daily operations and the guest’s payment experience. Understanding the term makes it easier to make decisions about payment solutions, negotiate good terms with acquirers and make sure you comply with relevant requirements and security standards.

Card acquiring is closely linked to the terms acquiring agreement and acquiring itself. Read more about these topics here:

Read about: acquiring agreement

Read about: acquiring

How does Flexybox use card acquiring?

The Flexybox till system integrates card acquiring directly into the system, which means card payment becomes a seamless part of service. When you use Flexybox, all card transactions are handled efficiently through a payment integration, which ensures fast service and less risk of errors. This integration makes things easier for staff and ensures a good experience for the guest.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, to accept card payments you need an acquiring agreement with a card acquirer. The agreement ensures that money from card payments is transferred to your business’s account.

Technically yes, but it will limit your payment options. Most guests expect to be able to pay by card, so card acquiring is an important function in a modern till solution.

Yes, card acquiring follows high security standards and uses encryption. It always pays, however, to make sure your provider uses approved and up-to-date equipment.

The price varies depending on your acquiring agreement and the chosen card acquirer. Fees are usually charged per transaction, depending on card type and payment volume.