Seattle area startup Viableware plans to begin testing its new dining payment system at a number of select restaurants, including P.F. Chang’s, Anthony’s Restaurants, Dickie Brennan & Co. and Restaurants Unlimited.

The company’s technology allows restaurant patrons to peruse a digital copy of the bill, calculate tips, split the bill, answer survey questions and then “self swipe” credit cards at the table. Customers use a stylus to sign the digital screen, and can choose to have a copy of the receipt printed off at the restaurant or emailed to their personal accounts.

P.F. Chang’s plan to test the concept in fewer than half a dozen restaurants, but if the technology catches on with consumers it could be rolled out on a larger scale. That’s also the case with New Orleans-based Dickie Brennan restaurants.

“Piloting the RAIL platform is an investment in the guest experience as it enables table service to be more efficient at the time of payment,” said Dickie Brennan in a release. “We’re looking to the RAIL technology to provide our guests with a more convenient and efficient payment process, and to help our managers better communicate with guests in a personalized, one-on-one manner before they leave the restaurant.”

The system costs restaurants about $400 per month, with CEO Joe Snell telling us back in January that he believes it could transform the way people pay their restaurant bills.

Here’s a video I got of the RAIL system at Seattle’s Boom Noodle earlier this year.


 

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