Waffle House restaurants across the nation now accept payments with Visa or MasterCard, but the local Waffle House will not offer this option.
Since the first restaurant opened in 1955, Waffle House restaurants have maintained a strict cash-only policy, but Waffle House vice president Walt Ehmer said in a news release that this is the next logical step for the Waffle House company.
“We listen to our customers to find ways to enhance their Waffle House experience, and accepting credit cards was the biggest suggestion we heard,” Ehmer said. “With many in our society not carrying cash, this gives them the convenience of eating with us and then using their credit cards.”
Justin Glynn, the general manager for the Starkville Waffle House said his restaurant does not have the system to accommodate credit cards.
“We just have an old-fashioned register,” he said.
About two years ago, it was mentioned that Glynn’s restaurant might upgrade to a system compatible with credit cards, but they have yet to do so. The restaurant did get an ATM about two months ago, but this is the only step made toward accommodating credit cards, Glynn said.
When the corporate Waffle House system released that they were going to accept credit cards nationwide, Glynn did not expect to make the upgrade, he said.
“We weren’t set up nor were we able to support it,” Glynn said. “We’re adapting as we go.”
Detoric Hudson, a freshman majoring in business management, said he goes to Waffle House every weekend and enjoys eating there. However, he does not view the local Waffle House not accepting credit cards as a major concern.
“I don’t think they should take credit cards,” Hudson said.
Hudson does not have a credit card, so the new policy does not affect him, and he does not believe the local restaurant not accepting credit cards will affect many others.
Jennifer Nelson, a freshman majoring in English from Corpus Christi, Texas, said she visits Waffle House every once in a while when she gets the craving in the middle of the night. “It’s the middle of the night; Waffle House sounds really good right now,” she says to herself when the cravings come.
With the local Waffle House not accepting credit card, Nelson has to go to an ATM, because she does not want to pay the fee that the ATM in the restaurant would charge her to withdraw money. It becomes a big hassle, she said.
“I wish they would accept credit cards,” Nelson said. “It would make my life easier.”
Starkville offers few choices late at night, Nelson said.
“Sometimes, in the middle of the night, it’s either Hardy’s or Waffle House,” she said. “I have to go with Hardy’s because I don’t have any cash.”
However, people that go more often usually plan on going and have cash more readily available, Nelson added.
The Waffle House restaurant in Columbus will not accept credit cards, but the restaurant does offer an ATM in its lobby.