What is Manual Entry (Tender)?

Manual entry (tender) is basically when your staff punches in payment details manually directly into the restaurant's POS system, skipping the usual automated swipes, taps, or chip reads. It comes in handy during glitches like a scratched-up customer card or a finicky reader, or for phone orders on takeout and delivery runs.

Like during a busy shift where the card readers are acting up, your server just types in the card number, expiration date, and CVV to wrap up the sale without any manual work. You can also make sales with manual entry for credit card payment options, such as payments received offline or approved by an external means.

How Does Manual Entry (Tender) Work in Restaurants?

If there is an error with the card, staff trained for this will enter the payment manually into the POS system.

This is generally done by-

• The customer gives card details.
• The card number is manually entered into the POS by an employee who is allowed to make it.
• The transaction is authorized by the payment processor.
• The payment will then be approved or declined by the payment processor.
• The restaurant's payment system stores the payment details.
• Some of the restaurant outlets will need manager approval if you entered transactions manually.