Payment Management & Stripe Connect
Configure payment processing for your location with Stripe Connect integration. Accept credit cards, debit cards, digital wallets, and manage all payment settings in one place.
Overview
SSP Manager uses Stripe Connect for secure, reliable payment processing:
Supported Payment Methods:
- 💳 Credit & Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover)
- 📱 Digital Wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
- 💵 Cash (tracked, not processed through Stripe)
- 🎟️ Gift Cards & Store Credit
- 📧 Email Invoicing
Key Benefits:
- 🔒 PCI-compliant security
- ⚡ Fast deposits (2 business days)
- 💰 Competitive rates
- 🌍 Multi-currency support
- 📊 Detailed reporting
Accessing Payment Management
You must first navigate to a specific restaurant location to access Payment Setup. If you signed up as a single restaurant, you'll land directly at your location. For restaurant groups/chains, select your location from the Group/Chain Dashboard first.
Navigation Path: [Your Location] → Settings → Payment Setup
URL Pattern: /locations/{location-id}/manage-payment
Required Permission: Owner or Manager role
Step-by-Step Access
- Navigate to your restaurant location (if using a Group/Chain, select it from the dashboard)
- In the sidebar, click Settings to expand the settings menu
- Click Payment Setup
Connecting Stripe Account
First-Time Setup
If you haven't connected Stripe yet:
- Go to Manage Payment
- Click Connect with Stripe button
- Choose your setup path:
Option A: New Stripe Account
- Click Create Stripe Account
- Enter business information:
- Business Type: Individual, Company, Non-profit
- Legal Business Name
- Business Address
- Business Phone
- Industry: Food & Beverage / Restaurant
- Enter personal information (for verification):
- Full Name
- Date of Birth
- Social Security Number (SSN) or EIN
- Home Address
- Add bank account:
- Bank Name
- Routing Number
- Account Number
- Account Type: Checking or Savings
- Review and accept Stripe terms
- Click Submit for Verification
Option B: Existing Stripe Account
- Click Sign In to Stripe
- Enter Stripe credentials
- Authorize SSP Manager to access your account
- Select the Stripe account to connect (if you have multiple)
- Confirm connection
If you already use Stripe for another business, you can connect that account or create a separate one for your restaurant. Separate accounts provide clearer reporting.
Verification Process
What Happens After Submission:
-
Immediate (Usually):
- Account created
- Can process test transactions
- Real transactions pending verification
-
Within 24 Hours (Typically):
- Identity verification complete
- Bank account verified (micro-deposits or instant verification)
- Limited processing enabled
-
Within 2-3 Business Days:
- Full verification complete
- No transaction limits
- Payouts enabled
Verification Methods:
- Instant Verification: Link bank account via Plaid (instant)
- Micro-Deposits: Stripe deposits small amounts, you confirm (2-3 days)
- Identity Verification: May require photo ID upload
Check verification status at any time: Manage Payment → Stripe Status
Payment Settings
Accepted Payment Methods
Configure which payment methods to accept:
- Go to Manage Payment → Payment Methods
- Toggle payment methods on/off:
Card Payments:
- ✅ Visa
- ✅ Mastercard
- ✅ American Express (+2% higher processing fee)
- ✅ Discover
- ✅ Diners Club
- ✅ JCB
Digital Wallets:
- ✅ Apple Pay
- ✅ Google Pay
- ✅ Samsung Pay
Alternative Methods:
- ✅ Cash (tracked in POS, not processed by Stripe)
- ✅ Check (manual processing)
- ✅ Gift Cards (requires gift card program)
- ✅ House Account (customer billing)
Recommended: Enable all card types and digital wallets for maximum customer convenience.
Transaction Fees
Standard Stripe Rates:
- Card Present (in-person with Stripe Terminal): 2.7% + $0.05 per transaction
- Card Not Present (online/phone): 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
- Manually Entered Cards: 3.4% + $0.30 per transaction
- International Cards: Additional 1.5% fee
- Currency Conversion: 1% fee
SSP Manager Fees:
- Platform fee: Varies by plan (see subscription details)
- No additional transaction fees from SSP Manager
- All Stripe fees passed through at cost
Volume Discounts:
- Contact support for custom pricing at $100k+ monthly volume
- Enterprise plans include negotiated rates
Currency Settings
Primary Currency:
- Set your default currency (USD, EUR, GBP, etc.)
- All prices displayed in this currency
- Stripe converts foreign cards automatically
Multi-Currency (Enterprise only):
- Accept payments in multiple currencies
- Dynamic currency conversion
- Automatic exchange rates
Setup:
- Manage Payment → Currency Settings
- Select Primary Currency
- Enable Accept Foreign Cards
- Configure Currency Conversion (if available)
Payment Processing
Testing Payments
Before going live, test payment processing:
- Go to Manage Payment → Test Mode
- Toggle Test Mode ON
- Use Stripe test cards:
- Success: 4242 4242 4242 4242
- Decline: 4000 0000 0000 0002
- Requires 3D Secure: 4000 0027 6000 3184
- Any future expiration date
- Any 3-digit CVC
- Process test transactions
- Verify receipt printing
- Check transaction appears in reports
- Toggle Test Mode OFF when ready for real transactions
Test mode transactions do NOT process real money and will not appear in your bank account. They're for testing only.
Processing Payments
In-Person (Card Present):
- Customer orders placed
- Calculate total with tax
- Select payment method
- Tap/insert/swipe card on terminal
- Customer signs if required
- Print/email receipt
- Payment complete
Phone/Online Orders (Card Not Present):
- Order entered in system
- Manual card entry:
- Card number
- Expiration date
- CVV
- ZIP code
- Process payment
- Email receipt to customer
Tipping:
- Customer adds tip before payment
- Or adjust tip after payment (card present only)
- Tip percentage presets configurable
Learn more about Tipping Configuration
Payouts and Deposits
Payout Schedule
Standard Schedule:
- Daily Payouts: Funds transferred every business day
- Delay: 2 business days from transaction
- Example: Monday sale → Wednesday deposit
Weekly Payouts:
- Choose a day of the week
- All week's transactions deposited on chosen day
- Longer wait but fewer transactions in bank statement
Monthly Payouts:
- First business day of each month
- All previous month's transactions
- Simplest for accounting
Configure: Manage Payment → Payout Settings → Payout Schedule
Viewing Payouts
Payout History:
- Go to Manage Payment → Payouts tab
- View all payouts:
- Payout date
- Amount
- Status (Pending, Paid, Failed)
- Transactions included
- Bank account (last 4 digits)
- Click payout for details
- Export to CSV for accounting
Payout Statuses:
- Pending: Stripe preparing transfer
- In Transit: Sent to bank, awaiting deposit
- Paid: Successfully deposited
- Failed: Bank rejected (contact support)
Bank Account Management
Updating Bank Account:
- Manage Payment → Bank Accounts
- Click Add Bank Account
- Enter new account details
- Verify via micro-deposits or instant verification
- Set as Default Payout Account
- Old account remains as backup
Multiple Bank Accounts:
- Add multiple accounts
- Route different locations to different accounts
- Backup account in case primary fails
Keep at least one backup bank account configured. If your primary account has issues, Stripe can auto-switch to avoid payout delays.
Refunds and Disputes
Processing Refunds
Full Refund:
- Find order in order history
- Click Refund
- Confirm refund amount (full total)
- Add refund reason (optional)
- Click Process Refund
- Funds returned to customer in 5-10 business days
- You receive refund of Stripe fees
Partial Refund:
- Find order
- Click Partial Refund
- Enter refund amount
- Select items being refunded
- Add reason
- Process refund
Refund Timeline:
- You: Instant refund processed
- Customer: 5-10 business days to see credit
- Stripe Fees: Refunded to you, no cost for refunds
Refund Limits:
- Full refund: Anytime
- Partial refund: Anytime
- Refund after payout: Charged back to your account
- Max refund: Original transaction amount
Dispute Management
What is a Dispute? Customer contacts their bank to dispute a charge (chargeback).
When Disputes Occur:
- Customer doesn't recognize charge
- Unsatisfied with service
- Didn't receive order
- Fraud
Dispute Process:
- Stripe notifies you of dispute
- You receive email and dashboard notification
- $15 dispute fee charged (non-refundable)
- You have 7-21 days to respond (varies by card network)
- Submit evidence:
- Receipt
- Order details
- Proof of delivery
- Customer communications
- Bank reviews evidence
- Bank decides:
- You Win: Funds returned, you keep payment
- Customer Wins: Customer keeps money, you lose sale + dispute fee
Preventing Disputes:
- Clear business name on statements
- Accurate descriptions
- Excellent customer service
- Get signatures for large orders
- Prompt refunds when appropriate
Managing Disputes: Manage Payment → Disputes tab
Tipping Settings
Configuring Tips
Tip Options:
- Manage Payment → Tipping
- Enable/disable tipping
- Set tip suggestion percentages:
- Option 1: 15%
- Option 2: 18%
- Option 3: 20%
- Option 4: Custom amount
- Choose tip timing:
- Before Payment: Customer tips before paying
- After Payment: On receipt (card present only)
- Choose display:
- Percentage-based
- Dollar amount suggestions
- Both
Tip Pooling:
- Track tips per server
- Pool tips for distribution
- Export tip reports for payroll
Automatic Gratuity:
- Enable for parties of 6+ (configurable)
- Set percentage (typically 18%)
- Clearly disclosed to customer
- Can be removed by manager if requested
Tip Adjustment
Adjusting Tips After Payment:
- Find order in order history
- Click Adjust Tip
- Enter new tip amount
- Add adjustment reason
- Confirm adjustment
- Updated receipt sent to customer (if email on file)
Tip Adjustment Window:
- Adjust tips within 24 hours of transaction
- After 24 hours, requires refund and re-charge
Tip adjustments can only increase tips, not decrease. To decrease a tip, process a partial refund.
Receipt Configuration
Receipt Settings
Customize receipts for your brand:
- Manage Payment → Receipts
- Configure receipt elements:
Header:
- Upload logo
- Business name
- Address
- Phone number
- Website
- Social media
Body:
- Order number
- Date and time
- Server name
- Table number
- Itemized list
- Subtotal, tax, tip, total
- Payment method
Footer:
- Thank you message
- Return policy
- Wi-Fi password
- Promotional message
- QR code (website, social, review)
Formatting:
- Font size (small, medium, large)
- Paper width (58mm, 80mm)
- Logo size and position
- Show/hide elements
Email Receipts
Enabling Email Receipts:
- Receipt Settings → Email Receipts
- Toggle Enable Email Receipts
- Choose trigger:
- Ask every customer
- Default to email (unless customer declines)
- Manager/customer chooses per transaction
- Customize email template:
- Subject line
- Email body
- Header design
- Footer links
Benefits:
- Eco-friendly (less paper)
- Customer convenience
- Marketing opportunity
- Email capture for marketing
Security and Compliance
PCI Compliance
SSP Manager + Stripe = PCI Compliant:
- Card data never touches your servers
- Tokenization for secure storage
- End-to-end encryption
- Stripe is PCI Level 1 certified
Your Responsibilities:
- Use secure passwords
- Keep software updated
- Train staff on security
- Secure physical terminals
- Report breaches immediately
Fraud Prevention
Stripe Radar (Included):
- Machine learning fraud detection
- Blocks suspicious transactions
- Adapts to your business patterns
- No configuration needed
Additional Protections:
- 3D Secure for online payments
- Address Verification System (AVS)
- Card Verification Value (CVV) checks
- Velocity limits (max transactions per minute)
Fraud Indicators:
- Multiple failed card attempts
- Unusually large orders
- Shipping to different address than billing
- International cards for local pickup
Manual Review:
- Suspicious orders flagged in dashboard
- Review order details
- Contact customer to verify
- Accept or decline transaction
Reporting and Analytics
Payment Reports
Available Reports:
-
Daily Sales Summary
- Total sales
- Payment method breakdown
- Tips collected
- Refunds issued
-
Payout Report
- Scheduled payouts
- Transaction breakdown
- Fees deducted
- Net deposit amount
-
Transaction Detail
- Every transaction
- Date, time, amount
- Payment method
- Customer info (if available)
- Order details
-
Refund Report
- All refunds
- Full vs. partial
- Refund reasons
- Impact on revenue
-
Fee Analysis
- Stripe fees paid
- Average fee percentage
- Fee trends over time
- Compare to industry benchmarks
Generate Reports: Reports → Payment & Transactions → Select Report Type
Export Options:
- PDF for printing
- CSV for Excel/accounting software
- Email scheduled reports (daily, weekly, monthly)
Integration with Accounting
Export payment data to accounting software:
Supported Integrations:
- QuickBooks Online
- Xero
- FreshBooks
- Wave Accounting
- Custom via API
Setup:
- Manage Payment → Integrations
- Select accounting software
- Authorize connection
- Configure sync settings:
- Sync frequency (daily, weekly)
- Account mapping (which accounts to post to)
- Tax handling
- Test sync
- Enable automation
Learn more about Accounting Integrations
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
Payment Declined
Reasons:
- Insufficient funds
- Card expired
- Incorrect CVV
- Bank blocking transaction
- Fraud detection
Solution:
- Ask customer for different card
- Verify card details entered correctly
- Customer contacts their bank
- Try processing again
- Accept alternative payment method
Payout Delayed
Reasons:
- Bank holiday
- Bank account issue
- Stripe reviewing account
- First payout (takes longer)
Solution:
- Check payout schedule
- Verify bank account details
- Contact Stripe support
- Check email for verification requests
Stripe Account Restricted
Reasons:
- Verification incomplete
- High dispute rate
- Suspicious activity
- Terms of service violation
Solution:
- Check email from Stripe
- Complete any requested verification
- Respond to Stripe inquiries
- Contact Stripe support
- Contact SSP Manager support for assistance
Tips Not Showing
Check:
- Tipping enabled in settings
- Payment method supports tips (cash doesn't auto-tip)
- Receipt shows tip line
- Reports include tip column
Solution:
- Verify tipping settings
- Check permission settings
- Review payment flow
Best Practices
Payment Processing
Speed:
- Train staff on quick payment processing
- Use tap/contactless when possible
- Pre-authorize cards for tabs (bars/restaurants)
Accuracy:
- Double-check amounts before processing
- Verify tips manually entered correctly
- Confirm payment success before customer leaves
Customer Experience:
- Offer multiple payment methods
- Email receipts to reduce wait time
- Process payments tableside when possible
- Clear communication about charges and tips
Financial Management
Daily Reconciliation:
- Compare POS totals to Stripe dashboard
- Verify all transactions processed
- Check for failed payments
- Review refunds and disputes
Cash Management:
- Record cash payments in POS (for reporting accuracy)
- Regular cash counts
- Secure cash storage
- Bank deposits tracked in system
Dispute Prevention:
- Clear itemized receipts
- Recognizable business name on statements
- Quick response to customer concerns
- Refund before disputes when appropriate
FAQ
Is Stripe required to use SSP Manager?
Yes, for card payments. Cash-only businesses can still use SSP Manager without Stripe for order and inventory management.
How much does Stripe charge?
Standard rates: 2.7% + $0.05 per in-person transaction, 2.9% + $0.30 for online/phone payments. See Transaction Fees for details.
When will I receive my money?
Typically 2 business days after the transaction. Payout schedule is configurable.
Can I use my existing Stripe account?
Yes! Connect your existing Stripe account during setup.
What if a customer disputes a charge?
You'll be notified and have 7-21 days to submit evidence. See Dispute Management.
Can I issue refunds?
Yes, full or partial refunds anytime. Stripe fees are refunded to you.
Do I need a merchant account?
No! Stripe handles everything. No separate merchant account needed.
What about PCI compliance?
Stripe and SSP Manager handle PCI compliance. You don't need separate certification.
Can I accept Apple Pay and Google Pay?
Yes! Digital wallets are supported automatically with compatible terminals.
Is there a monthly fee?
No monthly fees from Stripe. SSP Manager subscription fees apply. Pay only when you process transactions.
Related Features
- Orders - Watching and managing orders
- Tipping Settings - Tip presets and where tips go
- Reports - Financial reporting and analytics
- Integrations - Connect to accounting software
Getting Help
Need assistance with payment setup or Stripe?
- 📧 Email: support@ssppos.com
- 💬 Live Chat: Available in dashboard
- 💳 Stripe Support: support.stripe.com
- 📚 Help Center: docs.ssppos.com
Accept payments securely and efficiently with SSP Manager and Stripe Connect.