Support San Antonio Restaurants by Paying with Cash This Saturday!

Why Cash Matters in the Restaurant Scene

As the holiday season approaches, the Texas Restaurant Association is calling on San Antonio diners to reconsider their payment methods and pay with cash. This shift could be crucial for local eateries battling rising costs, including an alarming rise in credit card processing fees. By favoring cash or debit transactions, diners not only support their local restaurants but also help keep more money circulating within the community.

Kelsey Erickson Streufert from the Texas Restaurant Association explained in a recent interview, "When people pay with credit cards, a significant portion of their bill heads straight to Wall Street. With the firms Visa and Mastercard controlling nearly 80 percent of the market, small businesses find it challenging to negotiate or understand these fees. The situation has forced restaurants to reevaluate their profit margins, which hover around only 5 percent of total sales. When credit card processing fees consume about 3.5 to 4 percent of revenue, the funds directed to Wall Street can rival actual profits for these establishments."

Impact on Local Economies

Economists and community advocates suggest that every dollar spent locally generates an additional $1.76 in local economic activity, a powerful argument for keeping the funds within the community. Beyond benefiting individual businesses, using cash and debit supports broader economic resilience, particularly meaningful in a time marked by inflation where food prices have surged approximately 38 percent since the pandemic.

Current Challenges and Future Solutions

The call to swiping less and paying with cash comes amid numerous challenges for the restaurant industry, not just in Texas but throughout the nation. Issues like rising food costs and labor shortages are further compounded by supply chain disruptions. Every dollar directed to local businesses represents a small victory in this ongoing battle for survival.

Moving forward, it is essential that the community understands the power of their spending habits. Individuals should aim to frequent local establishments not just during holidays like Small Business Saturday but consistently throughout the year. Joining this grassroots movement can ensure that restaurants in the San Antonio area thrive long into the future.

Benefits of Paying Cash

Choosing cash or debit has tangible benefits for diners as well. When paying with cash, individuals maintain better control over their budgeting, helping to avoid the debt trap often linked with credit card use. Alongside this, restaurants can benefit from lower operational costs that contribute to better food quality and service.

Support Local Restaurants

This Small Business Saturday presents an excellent opportunity for San Antonio residents to showcase their support. From family-owned Mexican restaurants to trendy cafes, every patron’s choice to pay cash can contribute to sustaining existing eateries and breathing life into aspiring local culinary entrepreneurs. Whether indulging in comfort food or grabbing a quick lunch, engaging with San Antonio’s rich dining landscape promotes locally sourced ingredients and strengthens community ties.

Get Involved!

On this busy shopping weekend, let us all rally behind our beloved eateries. Visit a local restaurant, indulge in local food festivals, or explore San Antonio’s nightlife. Remember, every cash payment not only supports the restaurant but also uplifts the entire community!