It’s likely only a matter of time before mobile payment apps become more popular among consumers, and there are some people very excited: restaurant waitstaff and bartenders. Both mobile payment app providers and restaurants have noticed an uptick in tips if consumers use their smartphones to make payments for food and drinks.
Customers may need to wait for their food order to be completed, but don’t have to just sit and wait to pay. In addition, some apps allow restaurant patrons to check their bill in real-time, and even split it among the number of guests.
“We do see increase at bars where people haven’t been tipping,” said Michelle Songy, co-founder of the Cake mobile pay app, in a statement to CNBC. “I’d like to think as we are trying to make the payment experience a bit more fun, easier or quick it leaves you with a better experience.”
Mobile phone and tablet users are expected to make 72 billion transactions in 2015, and that number will increase up to 195 billion annually by 2019, according to Juniper Research.