Toast Quietly Raises Fees Again — And Washington Restaurants Are Paying the Price
Running a restaurant in Washington has never been easy, and the last thing operators need is another round of surprise cost increases. Yet that’s exactly what Toast has delivered. According to reporting from Reforming Retail on February 10, 2026, Toast quietly raised both its credit‑card processing rates and its software subscription fees, adding new expenses for restaurants without offering any additional value in return.
For a typical Washington restaurant doing about $1.1 million in annual sales, these changes add up quickly—and most operators won’t notice the impact until it’s already hitting their bottom line.
1. How Much More Will Restaurants Pay in Processing Fees?
Toast increased processing rates by:
- +10 basis points on Visa and Mastercard
- +21 basis points on American Express
Using a realistic card mix—80% Visa/Mastercard and 20% Amex—the math is straightforward:
[ 1{,}100{,}000 \times (0.8 \times 0.001 + 0.2 \times 0.0021) = 1{,}342 ]
That means the average Washington restaurant will now pay about $1,342 more per year in processing fees alone.
This isn’t tied to new features, better service, or improved reliability. It’s simply a cost increase passed directly to restaurants.
2. Toast Also Raised Subscription Fees by 5%
Toast’s software pricing varies widely, but most single‑location restaurants in Washington end up paying around $200–$250 per month once they add the modules Toast strongly encourages—online ordering, gift cards, loyalty, marketing, etc.
Using a realistic average of $225/month, a 5% increase adds:
- $11–$12 more per month
- ≈ $135 more per year
It’s not a huge number on its own, but combined with the processing increase, it becomes part of a much bigger pattern.
3. Total Annual Impact: About $1,475 More Per Year
When you combine:
- $1,342 in new processing fees
- $135 in subscription increases
The average Washington restaurant on Toast will now pay around $1,475 more every year—again, with no added value.
For an industry where margins are already razor‑thin, these quiet increases matter.
Why National POS Providers Keep Raising Fees
Toast isn’t doing anything unusual for a national POS provider. Their business model depends on:
- Bundled payment processing
- Long‑term contracts
- Add‑on modules that increase monthly spend
- Fee increases that most operators don’t notice until renewal
When a company serves hundreds of thousands of restaurants nationwide, even a small increase—10 basis points here, 5% there—translates into massive revenue gains.
For the restaurant, though, it’s just another unexpected cost.
Why Local POS VARs Are Becoming the Smarter Alternative
Washington restaurants don’t have to accept this “take it or leave it” model. Local POS value‑added resellers (VARs) offer a fundamentally different approach—one built on transparency, accountability, and long‑term relationships.
Here’s how local VARs stand apart:
1. Transparent, Predictable Pricing
Local VARs don’t rely on hidden fees or surprise increases.
Pricing is:
- Clear
- Stable
- Discussed openly
- Based on what the restaurant actually needs
When something changes, operators hear it from a real person—not a billing notice.
2. Real Local Support (Not a Call Center)
When a restaurant’s POS goes down on a Friday night, they don’t need a chatbot or a ticket number—they need someone who can actually show up.
Local VARs provide:
- On‑site support
- Fast response times
- Technicians who know the restaurant’s setup
- A relationship, not a queue number
This is the kind of service national providers simply cannot replicate.
3. No Forced Processing Bundles
Most local VARs let restaurants choose their own payment processor—or at least offer transparent, competitive rates.
That means:
- No surprise basis‑point increases
- No locked‑in processing contracts
- No “take it or leave it” pricing
Restaurants regain control over one of their largest expenses.
4. A Relationship, Not a Subscription
National POS companies scale by volume.
Local VARs grow by reputation.
That difference shows up in:
- How they answer the phone
- How they train staff
- How they handle emergencies
- How they treat long‑term customers
Restaurants aren’t just accounts—they’re partners.
The Bottom Line
Toast’s latest fee increases may look small on paper, but for the average Washington restaurant, they add up to nearly $1,500 in new annual costs—with no added value. It’s a reminder that national POS providers are built to serve shareholders, not local operators.
Local POS VARs offer a better path: transparent pricing, real support, and a relationship‑driven approach that puts restaurants first.
Call to Action: Choose a Partner Who Actually Shows Up — National Business Systems, Inc.
If you’re tired of surprise fees, long hold times, and one‑size‑fits‑all national systems, it’s time to work with a team that’s been supporting Washington restaurants for over 40 years.
National Business Systems, Inc. is a locally owned, relationship‑driven POS provider serving Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Everett, and the entire Puget Sound region. We offer:
- Transparent, stable pricing
- On‑site installation and support
- Flexible processing options
- Real technicians who know your business
- A long‑term partnership—not a contract trap
When your restaurant needs help, we’re not a call center.
We’re your neighbors.
Contact National Business Systems, Inc.
📞 (253) 839‑9636
🌐 www.nbsystems.com
If you’re ready to take back control of your POS costs and work with a team that puts Washington restaurants first, reach out today.
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