Block Inc.’s Square point-of-sale technology unit announced a slew of restaurant initiatives, including a link with distributor Performance Foodservice to market Square to 125,000 U.S. and Canada-based clients; integrations with dining-technology providers; links to restaurant associations in Illinois, California, and New York state; and a recommendation engine based on machine learning. Square …

As the effects of the economic stimulus pumped into the economy by the federal government during the pandemic wear off, consumers are having a harder time paying their recurring debts on time. A study released Monday by Achieve, a San Mateo, Calif.-based provider of debt-management programs for consumers, reveals that …

More Americans are being asked to tip, but it doesn’t seem to have much positive impact for some workers, especially those employed by restaurants. Only 29% of these workers say their tips have increased in the past year, according to the “Beyond Gratuity: Perspective of Restaurant Staff Tipping Practices” report …

After months of speculation that Shift Payments Inc. was an acquisition target, company founder and chief executive and founder Jared Isaacman confirmed Thursday the company had indeed received multiple offers. The acknowledgment came at the outset of Shift4’s first quarter earnings call early Thursday. Despite the offers being “materially higher” …

Open banking has been attracting the attention of bankers, merchants, and card networks. It’s also drawing notice from regulators. The concept of making a payment through a direct transfer from a bank account can appeal to consumers because it’s fast and easy, and to merchants because the transaction is reportedly …

Processors and service providers focused on restaurant point-of-sale systems are enjoying strong growth as restaurants remain one of the hottest markets in digital payments. Two companies reaping the fruits that growth are Toast Inc. and Olo Inc. Toast Inc. posted annual recurring revenue of $1.3 billion during the first quarter …

Square, the acquiring arm of Block Inc., is the latest to launch a dedicated kiosk for quick-service restaurants. Announced Tuesday, Square Kiosk combines hardware and software to enable self-ordering and payment. Available later this summer for all Square for Restaurants merchants, Square Kiosk accepts multiple payment methods including contactless and …

When cryptocurrency prices rise, spending may dip, but only for a short time before users accelerate their purchases with Bitcoin and other digital coins, according to a report released Thursday by BitPay Inc., an Atlanta-based payments-service provider for crypto users and crypto-accepting merchants. The ”2024 BitPay Spending Report,” which covers …

Accertify, which provides fraud prevention, chargeback management, account protection, and gateway services, said private equity firm Accel-KKR completed the acquisition of the company from American Express Co., which it acquired in 2010. Terms were not disclosed. The U.S. Payments Forum announced a white paper exploring the links between connected cars and contextual …

Block Inc. chief executive Jack Dorsey fired back at news reports that the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the company for alleged compliance lapses at Block’s Square and Cash App units. The reports “lack full context,” Dorsey said during Block’s quarterly earnings call late Thursday. News of the investigation …