TableSafe Inc., maker of the first purpose-built pay-at-the-table platform for table-service restaurants, announced Wednesday that 71 Above and Takami Sushi have become the first restaurants in the greater Los Angeles area to provide EMV-secured pay-at-the-table convenience for their guests using TableSafe’s RAIL payment platform. The RAIL gives dining guests full control over the payment process at the table, allowing them to choose when and how they pay for their meal. In addition to providing guests with peace of mind knowing their credit card never leaves their hands, it also frees up restaurant staff to focus on other dining customers. Both restaurants will benefit from greater staff efficiency, quicker table turns, and the safeguards afforded by EMV (chip card) payment compliance.
“When it comes to the payment process, restaurants have been stalled in the dinosaur era for some time,” says Emil Eyvazoff, owner of both 71Above and Takami Sushi restaurants. “By implementing TableSafe’s pay-at-the-table technology, we’re moving our operation to the forefront in the rapidly changing world of payments. I am thrilled to provide TableSafe’s EMV-secured pay-at-the-table technology at both of my restaurants. Our patrons will appreciate the enhanced security and faster payment process, and we can mitigate the fraudulent chargebacks that have cost us in the past.”
71Above, the sky-scraping restaurant in downtown Los Angeles, opened in July of 2016 and is located on the 71st floor of the US Bank Tower. It’s the highest elevated restaurant west of the Mississippi River and boasts unparalleled views of Los Angeles. In addition to its unique setting, the restaurant also features state of the art technology, including glass panes that automatically darken or lighten for guest comfort, and an integrated reservation system that allows guests to choose their own table.
Takami Sushi & Robata Restaurant first opened in 2007 and floats 21 floors above the financial district of downtown Los Angeles. The restaurant was the first downtown high-rise to offer outdoor patio dining, featuring a 7,000 square-foot rooftop patio that offers arguably the best view of the Downtown Los Angeles nightlife.
“Anyone who has dined at 71Above or Takami knows their commitment to curating a unique and memorable experience,” says Steve McKean, President of TableSafe. “By introducing the RAIL, both restaurants now ensure that the last mile of hospitality—the payment process—fully complements their commitment to excellence. Instead of the staff running payment cards to the POS, they’re able to be more attentive to the guest and provide a higher level of service.”
TableSafe’s low-profile and easy to use RAIL is housed inside a patented billfold that replicates the traditional folio that 71Above and Takami Sushi had previously used to deliver guest’s checks to the table. The platform provides an intuitive interface and allows the guest to auto-calculate the tip, split the bill multiple ways (including pay-by-item) and receive email receipts. Once the payment process is complete, the RAIL allows the guest to provide real-time feedback on their dining experience enabling the restaurant to gain valuable insights on their food and service.
Incorporating the latest security payment technology, including EMV and point-to-point encryption, the RAIL is designed to accept, encrypt and protect both current and future payment methods assuring the merchant that they will be able to support a broad range of payment options as consumer adoption evolves.
“Using the RAIL payment platform, both restaurants will be protected against the liability of fraud and EMV chargebacks,” McKean says. “All consumer data is instantly encrypted and never stored on the restaurant POS system, eliminating the threat of data theft.”
