⚔ Waging war on higher processing fees

Fee Watch

Documented changes to merchant pricing and ownership across the payments industry: dated, sourced, and written for restaurant operators rather than for the trade press. Updated monthly.

Celt Payments
September 2026  ·  Due diligence

Before you sign a SkyTab contract: Shift4's restatement and the case still running

One part is settled fact. One part is allegation and hasn't been decided. Both belong in your diligence.

September 2026  ·  Rate increase

Global Payments raised rates up to 225 basis points. Heartland merchants don't know theirs yet.

The increase varies by account, the notice didn't say by how much, and the statement arrives a month late.

September 2026  ·  Pricing

Toast's take rate rose again. Toast says pricing moves are part of why.

Not a leaked notice or a forum thread. The company's own second-quarter earnings call.

August 2026  ·  Rule change

Visa and Mastercard settlement: the surcharge cap falls to 1%

Preliminary approval landed in June. The interchange cut is small. The surcharge change is not.

August 2026  ·  Outlook

Fiserv cuts its 2026 outlook: what Clover merchants should check

A guidance cut six weeks after a reaffirmation, a new chief executive, and a portfolio under review.

Evergreen  ·  Your rights

The Code of Conduct rights most Canadian merchants never use

A fee increase opens a 70 day window to leave without penalty. Your notice must tell you when it closes.

August 2026  ·  Acquisition

TouchBistro sold to Constellation Software's Harris Computer

The Toronto POS company changes hands after a decade of venture funding. What operators running it should check.

August 2026  ·  Acquisition

Moneris sold to Francisco Partners for $2 billion

What the transaction does, and doesn't, mean for a restaurant processing through them.

August 2026  ·  Fee change

Shift4 Dine: three merchant fee changes in 2026

A new monthly online ordering fee, a consolidated annual fee, and a higher month-end billing rate.

August 2026  ·  Fee change

Your processing rate can change without your agreement

A documented record of what changed across major providers in the first half of the year.

Evergreen  ·  Guide

How to find your real effective processing rate

Ten minutes, one statement, and a calculator. Most operators are 30 to 60 basis points off what they think.

Know your number before anything changes.

Send us one recent processing statement and we'll return your true effective rate, broken out for credit and debit, within one business day. No cost, no obligation. If you're already in a good deal, we'll tell you that too.

Get your free statement audit