What is a merchant surcharge program?

A merchant surcharge program allows businesses to pass credit card processing fees (up to 3%) directly to customers who pay with credit cards. This is fully legal in 47+ states and can save merchants $20,000–$60,000 per year in processing fees.

What is a cash discount program?

A cash discount program offers customers a discount for paying with cash or debit, while customers who pay with credit cards pay the posted price which includes a service fee. This effectively eliminates credit card processing costs for the merchant.

How does Centurion compare to Square, Stripe, and Clover?

Centurion Payment Services consistently beats Square (2.6%+10¢), Stripe (2.9%+30¢), Clover (2.3-2.6%), and Heartland on effective rates. With our interchange-plus or surcharge programs, most merchants save 20-40% over their current processor.

Do you work with high-risk merchants?

Yes. Centurion specializes in high-risk merchant accounts including CBD, firearms, nutraceuticals, vape, adult content, travel, gaming, and more. We have dedicated high-risk banking relationships and fast approval times.

How quickly can I get set up with Centurion?

Most merchants go live within 48 hours of approval. We handle the entire setup process including equipment programming, gateway integration, and staff training.

What credit card processing rates does Centurion offer?

Centurion offers interchange-plus pricing, flat-rate pricing, and zero-fee/surcharge programs. Rates are customized based on your industry, volume, and processing history. We guarantee to beat your current rate or we'll pay you $500.

Is the merchant surcharge program legal?

Yes. Credit card surcharging is legal in 47+ US states. It is currently prohibited only in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Puerto Rico. Centurion ensures full compliance with state laws and Visa/Mastercard regulations.

What types of businesses do you work with?

Centurion works with all business types: restaurants, retail stores, medical practices, law firms, auto dealers, salons, hotels, e-commerce, contractors, healthcare, dental offices, veterinarians, gyms, nightclubs, dispensaries, and more.

What is Centurion Payment Services?

Centurion Payment Services helps you organize, track, and share your work in 1 unified workspace. Built for teams and solo users who want clarity and speed.

Does a surcharge apply to tips?

No — the surcharge applies to the transaction amount and is disclosed as a separate line item. Centurion programs your equipment to handle tips and surcharges correctly and compliantly.

Are Fort Lauderdale diners okay with card surcharges?

Yes — dual pricing and surcharges have become common across South Florida restaurants. With clear menu and door disclosure, owner-reported pushback is minimal, and guests always keep a free option (cash or debit).

Can you integrate with Toast, Square, or Clover?

In many cases yes, or we'll place free replacement equipment with better economics. We'll review your current setup and give you a straight answer before you commit.

Next-day funding is standard, with same-day options available — critical for restaurants managing daily cash flow.

Fort Lauderdale - Restaurant Processing

Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale run on thin margins. Here's how local restaurant owners are eliminating processing fees and upgrading their POS at the same time.

The Margin Problem for Fort Lauderdale Restaurants

Restaurant margins average 3–6%. Credit card processing takes 2.5–3.5% of every card sale — meaning your processor may be earning almost as much per plate as you are. In a dining market like Fort Lauderdale, with marine industry businesses, tourism, restaurants on Las Olas Boulevard, and a booming downtown business district, that's an enormous silent expense.

A restaurant doing $100,000/month with 80% card payments loses roughly $2,400/month to processing — nearly $29,000 a year. That's a line cook's salary, a remodel, or your profit.

How Local Restaurants Are Fighting Back

Three strategies dominate: (1) surcharge programs that pass the fee to credit-card-paying guests, (2) cash discount / dual pricing that rewards cash payers, and (3) switching from bundled flat rates (Toast, Square, Clover) to transparent interchange-plus pricing.

Guests have adapted quickly — surcharges and dual pricing are now common across South Florida, and clear menu disclosure keeps the experience friction-free. Tips are unaffected, and debit remains fee-free for guests.

Stop overpaying on processing fees.

Free rate analysis for Fort Lauderdale businesses — response within 1 hour.

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Equipment Built for Restaurants

Centurion places restaurant-grade equipment free with qualified accounts: handheld pay-at-the-table devices, countertop smart terminals with tip adjust, and full POS integration. Pay-at-the-table alone speeds up table turns and increases tips — while our programming handles surcharge compliance automatically.

Free Statement Analysis for Restaurant Owners

Send one recent statement and we'll show your true effective rate, every junk fee, and your exact projected savings — most Fort Lauderdale restaurants save 20–40%, and surcharge-program restaurants effectively pay $0. Call (561) 221-2273 or use the form below. Response within one business hour.