Should My Bar or Restaurant Have an ATM?

The case for yes

For most bars and restaurants, the answer is yes. An on-site ATM reduces card processing fees, supports card minimums without alienating customers, improves cash tip economics for staff, and adds a monthly revenue share check — all at zero upfront cost.

Bars in particular tend to see meaningful improvements in average tab size and tip totals once an ATM is in place.

When it doesn't make sense

Fine-dining-only restaurants with check averages well above $100 and a card-paying clientele rarely see strong ATM performance. Same for cashless-by-design restaurants that have intentionally built their service around card-only transactions.

If your customer base genuinely never carries cash — think high-end office-tower lunch spots — the placement may underperform. We'll tell you that up front rather than dropping a machine that doesn't earn.

The practical question

If you're reading this, you probably already know whether your customers pay in cash. The simplest test: how often does someone at the bar or counter ask 'do you take cash?' or 'do you have an ATM?' If it's at all routine, you're a candidate.