We all expect sparkling countertops and spotless kitchens when ordering food, but what about the cash register?
If COVID-19 taught us anything, it’s that hygiene in public spaces should always remain a top priority. This Is especially true when operating in the food and beverage industry, where customer trust is essential to a brand’s success. And whilst food hygiene ratings across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland averaged out at 4.53 in 2023, proving that businesses are largely getting things right in the kitchen, the same can’t always be said for the point of payment.
From high-end restaurants to takeaways and cafés, ensuring cleanliness extends beyond the kitchen to the point of transaction is vital. In the current age, traditional ways of paying are being rethought in an attempt to minimize physical contact as well as the handling of cash and card machines. And smaller independent businesses that rely on staff to take orders, prepare food, and handle payments must adapt and increase the cleanliness of transactions. As consumers seek safer, faster, and more hygienic payment options, businesses must adapt.
Fivos Polymniou, Director of ASK Global Solutions, believes now is the time for the UK’s food and beverage sector to bring new levels of ‘clean’ to its payment systems and that the answer lies in adopting innovative payment technologies that not only enhance payment security and speed of service but also prioritise hygienic payments.
Cash, Cards & Hygiene Risks
In 2025, smaller independent businesses, like cafés, bakeries and restaurants face a difficult balancing act. On one hand, they must accept cash payments to help with cash flow and save on payment charges. On the other, they must accept the potential hygiene risks associated with cash and card payments for both the consumer and cashier.
This can often leave these businesses in a difficult position when it comes to taking action. And for anyone who rarely uses cash, wondering “I don’t exchange cash, so why does this affect me?” – the reality is that despite cash use being in decline, it is still used by a significant proportion of the public. In fact, UK consumers are still withdrawing £209 million a day from cash machines. As a result, nearly every establishment in the UK will have an employee who has handled cash and produce, meaning that even when the majority of customers pay with a card, the likelihood is the food served has been handled by someone who has – raising the possibility of customers picking up germs and viruses.
What’s the answer?
While the best strategy is to minimise contact between the cashier and cash payments as much as possible, this is much easier said than done. The solution is not to get rid of cash altogether, though. Far from it. Nearly half (48%) of people say they would find a cashless society problematic, so it’s fair to say that cash usage may be declining, but it is not disappearing.
So, how can contact be reduced? Credit and debit card readers used exclusively by individual consumers − and that can be cleaned in between customers − are one option. Using a phone’s tap-and-go feature is another. However, perhaps the most effective solution would be installing kiosks that accept cash and cards, enabling retailers to offer customers a choice.
Kiosks have already gained traction within the fast-food industry, especially at transportation hubs, including airports and motorway service stations – although these systems tend to limit accessibility by being card-only. There is no reason this model cannot be expanded to other parts of the retail sector. Indeed, across Europe, card/cash kiosks are widely used everywhere, from bakeries to convenience stores.
Kiosks relieve staff from the pressure and responsibility of taking a customer payment. In addition to the efficiency gain, this also minimises the likelihood of coming into physical contact with a customer. These machines can provide a complete closed-loop system, including a card reader, cash input, a printer to generate the receipt, as well as full accounting and reporting. A customisable screen allows a retailer to create product groups to provide further depth to daily reporting and end-of-day closing balances. Alternatively, it is possible to integrate kiosks into an existing EPOS system, simply extending the current retail model to include a flexible payment solution.
And finally…
As the UK’s food and beverage industry continues to prioritise hygiene, it’s clear that payment solutions must evolve alongside it. As the UK’s food and beverage industry continues to prioritise hygiene, it’s clear that payment solutions must evolve alongside it. While cash remains an essential part of the economy, businesses must find ways to balance accessibility with hygiene and efficiency. By embracing innovative payment technologies—such as contactless transactions, customer-operated card readers, and self-service kiosks—businesses can create a cleaner, safer, and more seamless payment experience. Investing in these solutions not only enhances customer trust but also supports the industry’s long-term success in an increasingly digital and hygiene-conscious world.