Opening a business in Philadelphia? Get payments sorted before your first customer walks in.

Whether you are opening a restaurant, a shop, a salon, or a service business in Philadelphia, this page covers the equipment and software to plan for, what a merchant account application asks for, how long each step usually takes, and what to ask any processor before you sign.

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What to get right

Match the setup to how your business actually runs

A restaurant needs tip adjustment, split checks, and a way to pay at the table or counter without slowing turns. A retail shop needs inventory tracking, barcode scanning, and a clean process for returns and exchanges. A salon or spa needs appointment booking, deposits or card-on-file for no-shows, and tips assigned to the right stylist. Service businesses such as contractors, cleaners, or consultants often need invoicing, mobile payments in the field, and recurring billing. Decide which of these matter to you before you choose a POS, so you are not paying for features you will never use or missing one you need on day one.

Have your paperwork ready for the merchant application

A processor will typically ask for your legal business name and entity type, your EIN from the IRS (or your Social Security number if you are a sole proprietor without one), a business bank account for deposits, a government-issued ID for each owner, your business address, and a description of what you sell and how. Registering your entity with Pennsylvania and opening a business bank account usually come first. For city-level requirements such as business licenses and local tax registration, check directly with the City of Philadelphia, since what you need depends on your business type and location.

Understand how you will be charged before you sign

Ask for pricing in writing and make sure you can read it. TouchSuite uses interchange-plus pricing: you pay the card networks' actual cost plus a fixed margin, so you can see what goes to the networks and what goes to us. If you would rather eliminate processing cost, a cash discount program is available. Once you are open and processing, you can send us your most recent statement and we will show you, line by line, what you are paying and beat it, or tell you honestly that we cannot.

Connect payments to the rest of your business

If you plan to sell online, track customers, or keep your books in accounting or ERP software, your payment system should connect to those tools rather than create double entry. TouchSuite's ERP, CRM, and e-commerce integrations are included at no monthly fee with a TouchSuite merchant account. Think through which systems you use now and which you expect to add in your first year.

How it works

  1. Talk through your business. Start with a conversation about what you are opening in Philadelphia, how customers will pay you (in person, online, by phone, on the go), your expected sales volume, and any special needs like tipping, deposits, or inventory. This shapes the equipment and software recommendation.
  2. Gather documents and apply. Once your entity is registered and your business bank account is open, you submit the merchant application with your EIN, ID, banking details, and business information. Applications move faster when everything is complete and the business name matches across your registration, bank account, and application.
  3. Get approved and set up your equipment. After approval, your terminal or POS is configured for your business: menu items or product catalog, tax settings, tip options, staff logins, and any integrations. Most merchants are processing within 24 to 48 hours of approval.
  4. Test, train, and open. Run a few test transactions, including a refund, before opening day. Walk your staff through common tasks like voids, tips, and end-of-day settlement. Give yourself a buffer before your opening date in case a permit, inspection, or bank step takes longer than expected.

Questions to ask a processor

What is the order of steps if I have not formed my business yet?

In general: choose and register your business entity with Pennsylvania, get an EIN from the IRS, open a business bank account, then apply for a merchant account. Local licenses and tax registrations with the City of Philadelphia often run alongside these steps; check with the city for what applies to your business. Applying for a merchant account last, once your details are final, avoids having to correct the application later.

How is your pricing structured, and can I see it in writing?

Any processor should give you a clear written breakdown. TouchSuite uses interchange-plus pricing, meaning you pay the card networks' actual cost plus a fixed margin. A cash discount program is also available if you want to eliminate processing cost. Ask every processor you talk to how their pricing works and what each line on a statement means.

Am I locked into a long contract?

This is one of the most important questions to ask any processor. TouchSuite accounts are month-to-month, and you can cancel anytime with no fees. Whoever you choose, read the agreement for the term length and what happens if you leave.

How long until I can take cards?

It depends on how quickly your application is complete and approved. Once approved, most TouchSuite merchants are processing within 24 to 48 hours. Plan your application early enough that payments are ready before your soft opening, not the morning of.

Will this work with my online store, CRM, or accounting software?

Ask any processor which systems they connect to and whether integrations carry an extra monthly charge. TouchSuite's ERP, CRM, and e-commerce integrations are included at no monthly fee with a TouchSuite merchant account.

I already have a processor from a previous business. Should I switch?

Send us your most recent processing statement and we will show you, line by line, what you are paying and beat it, or tell you honestly that we cannot. Either way, you will understand your current costs better.

Planning your Philadelphia opening?

Tell us what you are opening and how you plan to take payments. We will walk you through the equipment, the application, and the timeline, and answer your questions plainly so you can decide what fits.

An email or a phone number is enough.

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TouchSuite · 800-793-3250 · Month-to-month, cancel anytime, no fees.