EDGE Program for Philadelphia Restaurants
Philadelphia has one of the most competitive restaurant markets in the country. Margins are thin, labor costs are rising, and every dollar saved on operating costs matters. That's why the EDGE dual pricing program has become one of the most talked-about tools in the Philadelphia restaurant community.
What Is the EDGE Program?
The EDGE program is a dual pricing model where you post two prices — a cash price and a card price. Card-paying customers see both prices and pay the card price, which covers your processing fee. You pay $0 in processing costs.
It's not a surcharge. It's not a fee you add at checkout. It's simply two prices — like a gas station has had for decades.
The Math for Philadelphia Restaurants
Let's look at what the EDGE program means for a typical Philadelphia restaurant:
Center City fine dining restaurant:
- Monthly card volume: $80,000
- Traditional processing (3%): $2,400/month
- EDGE program: $0/month
- Annual savings: $28,800
South Philadelphia BYOB:
- Monthly card volume: $35,000
- Traditional processing (3%): $1,050/month
- EDGE program: $0/month
- Annual savings: $12,600
Fishtown neighborhood restaurant:
- Monthly card volume: $45,000
- Traditional processing (3%): $1,350/month
- EDGE program: $0/month
- Annual savings: $16,200
Northeast Philadelphia diner:
- Monthly card volume: $25,000
- Traditional processing (3%): $750/month
- EDGE program: $0/month
- Annual savings: $9,000
What Do Philadelphia Restaurant Customers Think?
This is the question most Philadelphia restaurant owners ask first. The answer: most customers don't mind.
In Philadelphia's card-heavy neighborhoods — Center City, Fishtown, Rittenhouse Square, Chestnut Hill — customers are used to dual pricing. They see the card price on the menu, they tap their card, and they move on. The card surcharge is typically $0.75–$1.50 on a $25–$50 meal — less than the tip rounding most customers do anyway.
BYOB restaurants on Passyunk Avenue have found that customers who are already saving $30–$50 on wine by bringing their own bottle don't object to a $1.50 card price difference.
Is the EDGE Program Legal in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Dual pricing is legal in Pennsylvania and fully compliant with Visa, Mastercard, and Discover network rules. The key distinction is that dual pricing (two prices posted) is different from a surcharge (a fee added at checkout). Dual pricing has been legal in all states since 2013.
How Philadelphia Restaurants Implement the EDGE Program
Implementation is straightforward:
- Menu updates: Update your printed menus and digital menus to show both cash and card prices. Most restaurants add a small note at the bottom: "Cash price shown. Card price is 3.5% higher."
- POS programming: Your POS system is programmed to automatically apply the card price when a card is used.
- Staff training: Train your staff to explain the dual pricing if customers ask. The explanation is simple: "We offer a discount for cash payments."
- Signage: Post a small sign at the entrance or register explaining your pricing policy.
The entire setup takes 1–2 hours. Most Philadelphia restaurants are fully operational with the EDGE program within 48 hours of signing up.
Which Philadelphia Restaurant Neighborhoods Are Adopting EDGE Fastest?
Based on our experience serving Philadelphia restaurants, the EDGE program has been adopted fastest in:
- South Philadelphia (Passyunk Avenue, Italian Market): High-volume, cash-and-card mix, price-conscious operators
- Northeast Philadelphia: High-volume diners and family restaurants where margins are tight
- Fishtown: Young operators who understand the math and aren't afraid to be transparent about pricing
- Manayunk: Main Street restaurants with high weekend volume
Center City fine dining restaurants have been slower to adopt — some worry about customer perception — but we're seeing more adoption as the savings become undeniable.
Getting Started with EDGE in Philadelphia
Custom Payments LLC offers free statement reviews for Philadelphia restaurants. We'll analyze your current processing statement, show you exactly what you're paying, and demonstrate what the EDGE program would save you.
Robert Staschak is based in Devon, PA and personally handles every Philadelphia restaurant account. Call (484) 393-1576 or visit custompayments.biz.