Asian-inspired fast-casual restaurant Pei Wei today announced that it has begun offering its customers access to Apple Pay at all of its nearly 200 locations across the United States. Pei Wei CEO Ralph Bower notes an ease-of-use and convenience in using Apple's contactless payments system that ties in nicely with the restaurant's fast-casual atmosphere.
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“Accepting Apple Pay is a win for Pei Wei because it’s convenient and gives our guests the flexibility to use their preferred method of payment,” said Pei Wei CEO Ralph Bower. “It allows us to safely and quickly process transactions, increasing both customer service and restaurant efficiency. This is just one way we’re implementing the latest technology to improve the dining experience.”
The company began testing Apple Pay in sixteen of its locations around the Phoenix area in July, and proceeded to launch full Apple Pay support in all of its restaurants nationwide yesterday on August 4. Pei Wei prepared for the partnership with Apple by investing in a company-wide implementation of "new payment terminals, pin pad devices and point-to-point encryption." Apple Pay continues to expand not only in the United States but in the United Kingdom as well, launching full support for a handful of UK-based banks and more than 250,000 merchant locations over the summer.
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Apple Pay; Pei Wei
Secure payments for your food
Touch and go Chinese
To speed adoption further, Apple should also use some of its massive cash hoard to incentivize retailers to adopt and promote Apple Pay, similar to how the computer division at my company is practically owned by Intel and Microsoft because of all the money they throw at us to promote their respective brands.
Lastly, Apple needs to create guidelines to streamline the experience. For example, some retailers (I'm looking at you Macy's) make you sign after payment which kind of defeats the purpose.
How does the food compare to other low-cost Chinese restaurants, e.g. Panda Express? There is a PF Chang's in my city, but I tend to go elsewhere for Chinese fare; I find PF Chang's dishes overwhelmingly salty, even for Chinese.
I'd say Pei Wei is a step above Panda Express, but still miles below all the locally owned Chinese places near me.Pei Wei's Big Adventure
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