How an On-Site ATM Can Help Restaurants Keep Their Best Servers
BFC Enterprises • October 9, 2025

Inflation continues to squeeze American households, and one of the first luxuries many families cut back on is eating out. 

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, prices for fast food, takeout, and restaurant meals rose 3.9% year over year as of mid-2025, while grocery prices increased only 1.7% over the same period. Over half of American (59%) report dining out less often and when they do they are spending 30% less due to inflation and reduced disposable income.

For restaurants and bars, that means tighter margins and greater competition for both customers and staff. For wait staff, which already cite low pay and lack of benefits for high turnover rates, that means they are taking home less today than they were pre-COVID.


Why Staffing is Still a Struggle for Bars & Restaurants
Back in 2021, when expanded unemployment benefits ended for nearly 8 million Americans, many assumed restaurant jobs would quickly bounce back. But the service sector still faces steep labor shortages.

To compete, many restaurants have raised base pay, introduced 401(k) matches, added childcare benefits, and even started offering healthcare coverage. Yet one often overlooked factor still affects day-to-day satisfaction for servers: how fast and how fairly they receive their tips.

Why Wait Staff Prefer Cash Tips
While many assume restaurant servers prefer cash tips because it allows them to hide their income, the statics tell a different story. 
  1. Immediate Access to Income: When patrons tip in cash, servers receive that money instantly. Card tips often take a week or two to process. According to PYMNTS, 62% of restaurant workers prefer same-day tip payouts, and 37% want their tips immediately. For many hourly workers, that difference can be the deciding factor between paying bills on time or falling behind.
  2. Avoiding Credit Card Processing Fees: Most diners don’t realize that when they leave a tip on a credit or debit card, the restaurant pays processing fees, and those can legally be deducted from the server’s earnings. So, your generous 20% might end up a little lighter by the time it reaches your server.
  3. Control Over Tip-Outs: Servers don’t keep every dollar they earn. They “tip out” bussers, bartenders, hosts, and support staff. With card tips, the restaurant’s POS system may automatically deduct those amounts. With cash, servers have control and flexibility – rewarding those who help most, and ensuring fairness across shifts.
  4. The Psychological Boost: There’s something powerful about counting your earnings at the end of a shift. Real cash provides instant feedback and motivation – a tangible sign that great service pays off.
For restaurant owners, encouraging cash tips by having an ATM on-site offers convenient access to cash for customers for tips and to pay for meals, while boosting morale for staff, and owners gain a competitive advantage when it comes to attracting and keeping good staff. 

On-Site ATM = Additional Revenue
But there are other benefits as well. In addition to happier staff and a competitive staffing advantage, installing an ATM inside your restaurant or bar adds a new revenue stream – without the hassle of having to maintain it or load cash. Full-service ATM companies, like BFC Enterprises, will purchase the ATM, take care of all maintenance and share a portion of surcharge fees with the business. That creates a small but steady passive income stream on top of regular sales.

The Bottom Line
Inflation has made it harder for consumers to dine out – harder for restaurants to hold onto their best people and more difficult for servers to make ends meet. An on-site ATM is a simple, low-cost solution that benefits everyone:

💵 Customers can easily tip in cash.
😊 Servers feel appreciated and take home more pay.
💰 Restaurant and bar owners boost retention and gain passive revenue.

When margins are tight and turnover is expensive, small details like cash access can make a big difference.

Contact us today to find out if your business qualifies for a FREE ATM through BFC Enterprises
📞(314) 961-9000 🌐 bfcenterprises.com/contact




Amusement Games: Turn fun into profit
By BFC Enterprises November 4, 2025
Discover how one Illinois bowling alley owner boosted revenue and customer time-on-site with hassle-free amusement game solutions from BFC Enterprises.
By BFC Enterprises October 27, 2025
That's exactly why partnering with BFC Enterprises to select and manage your amusement games is a smart move. You get expertly matched equipment that maximizes fun, keeps customers engaged, and hits your revenue goals, without any of the guesswork or hassle. Game Selection Backed by Real Experience BFC Enterprises has spent decades placing games in all kinds of business environments. We've seen what works in shopping centers versus family restaurants. We know which games draw teenagers at youth sports facilities and which ones keep adults entertained at bars while they wait for their food. When we evaluate your location, we're looking at your customer base, your foot traffic patterns, and your available space. We're thinking about who's walking through your doors, how long they typically stay, and what kind of entertainment matches their vibe. Then we match game styles to those factors for optimal performance. You shouldn't have to figure this out through expensive trial and error. We already know what works. Maximize Play and Profit Here's a truth every business owner should know: not all amusement games perform equally in every location. Some games get tons of attention and consistent play. Others just take up space. We use data and hands-on experience to choose games that will actually get played. We place the ones that grab attention, generate consistent activity, and deliver the highest revenue return. This means more passive income for you without spending months testing different machines to see what sticks. Think of it this way: we're not just dropping random equipment in your location and hoping for the best. We're strategically placing proven performers that match your specific environment. That's the difference between a few extra bucks a month and a meaningful revenue stream. Regular Rotation Without the Hassle Even the best games can get stale after a while. That's why we don't just set it and forget it. BFC Enterprises actively monitors game performance at your location. When we notice engagement dropping or when there's an opportunity to refresh things, we rotate games to keep your customers interested and having fun. We also select seasonal prizes that keep people playing longer and coming back to see what's new. The best part? You don’t have to track any of this yourself. We handle the strategy, the swaps, and the prize selection. Your customers stay entertained, and you keep earning, all without lifting a finger. Full-Service Support You Can Count On When you partner with BFC Enterprises , you're not just getting equipment delivered and left behind. You're getting complete, ongoing support. We handle compatibility issues, maintenance, prize stocking, and repairs. If something breaks, you're not scrambling to fix it or figure out who to call. Our team takes care of everything while you focus on what you do best – serving your customers and running your business. This is truly passive income. No headaches, no technical problems to solve, no wondering if you picked the right equipment. Just steady earnings from games that work. The Bottom Line Adding amusement games to your location is a smart way to increase customer engagement, extend dwell time, and create an additional revenue stream. But only if you choose the right games and manage them properly. When you partner with BFC Enterprises, you get the best-performing, highest-return amusement setup – customized specifically to your business and your customers – without any of the work. We bring the expertise, the equipment, and the ongoing support. You bring the space and the customers. Together, we create more fun, more engagement, and more profit. Ready to get started? Contact BFC Enterprises today and let's build the perfect amusement game setup for your location. 📞 (314) 961-9000 🌐 bfcenterprises.com/contact