Opening a business in Texas? Get card payments sorted before day one.

Whether you are opening a restaurant, a shop, a salon, or a service business, here is what to plan for, what to have ready, and what to ask before you sign with any processor.

Talk to TouchSuite Book a call

What to get right

Match the setup to how your business actually runs

Restaurants need tip adjustment, split checks, and fast table turns, so look for tableside or countertop terminals that handle tips cleanly. Retail shops need inventory tracking, barcode scanning, and an easy way to process returns and exchanges. Salons and spas need appointment booking, deposits, and the ability to keep a card on file for no-shows. Service businesses that work in the field need mobile payments, invoicing, and recurring billing. Decide which of these matter to you before you compare systems.

Understand what you will pay, line by line

Ask how pricing is structured, not just what the headline number is. With interchange-plus pricing, you pay the card networks' actual cost plus a fixed margin, so you can see exactly where each charge comes from. If you want to eliminate processing cost, a cash discount program is available. Before you choose that route, confirm how it works for your business and check current card network rules and Texas requirements with your advisor.

Connect payments to the rest of your business

Your POS should talk to your accounting, customer records, and online store so you are not entering the same sale twice. With a TouchSuite merchant account, our ERP, CRM, and e-commerce integrations are included at no monthly fee. If you plan to sell online as well as in person, set that up at the same time so your sales and inventory stay in one place.

Keep your options open

A new business changes quickly. Your volume, your menu, your services, and your hours may all look different six months in. TouchSuite accounts are month-to-month, cancel anytime, no fees, so you are not locked into a decision you made before you opened the doors.

How it works

  1. Get your paperwork in order. Before you apply for a merchant account, have these ready: your registered business entity (an LLC, corporation, or sole proprietorship, typically filed with the Texas Secretary of State if it is an entity), your EIN from the IRS, a business bank account for deposits, and a government-issued photo ID for each owner. If you sell taxable goods or services, you will generally need a sales and use tax permit from the Texas Comptroller. Local permits, licenses, and inspections vary by city and county, so check with your local offices early, since those can take the longest.
  2. Talk through your setup with us. Tell us what kind of business you are opening, how customers will pay, and what you need the POS to do. If you are taking over an existing business or already processing elsewhere, 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. Qualifying merchants receive free terminals and POS hardware, no upfront cost.
  3. Apply and get approved. Submit your application with the documents above. Having everything ready and matching (business name, address, bank account, and owner information) is the simplest way to avoid delays. Give yourself a cushion before your opening date, since local permits and buildout schedules often move more than the payments side does.
  4. Set up and start taking payments. Most merchants are processing within 24 to 48 hours of approval. Use that time to load your menu, products, or services, set up staff logins and tip settings, connect your integrations, and run a few test transactions before your first real customer walks in.

Questions to ask a processor

How is your pricing structured, and can I see every charge?

You should always be able to see what you are paying and why. TouchSuite uses interchange-plus pricing: you pay the card networks' actual cost plus a fixed margin. Whoever you talk to, ask them to walk you through a sample statement before you sign.

Am I locked into a contract, and what happens if I want to leave?

Ask this of every processor and get the answer in writing. TouchSuite accounts are month-to-month, cancel anytime, no fees.

What do I need to apply for a merchant account in Texas?

Generally your business entity information, an EIN, a business bank account, and photo ID for the owners. If you sell taxable items, you will usually need a sales and use tax permit from the Texas Comptroller as well. City and county requirements differ, so confirm local licenses and permits with your local office.

How long until I can actually take cards?

It depends on how complete your application is. Once approved, most TouchSuite merchants are processing within 24 to 48 hours. The slower parts of opening are usually permits, inspections, and buildout, so start those first.

Will the POS work with my accounting software and online store?

Ask for specifics about the tools you already use or plan to use. With a TouchSuite merchant account, our ERP, CRM, and e-commerce integrations are included at no monthly fee.

Is there a way to reduce or eliminate what I pay for processing?

A cash discount program is available if you want to eliminate processing cost. It is not the right fit for every business, so think about your customers and talk it through, and confirm current card network rules and Texas requirements before you start.

Planning your opening in Texas?

Tell us what you are opening and when, and we will help you plan the payments and POS side so it is ready before your first customer. If you are already processing, send us your most recent statement and we will give you an honest comparison.

An email or a phone number is enough.

Book a call

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