Toast, Clover battle for small eateries

Core Insights - The restaurant POS market is highly competitive, with established processors facing challenges from fintech newcomers like Toast and Square [3] - Smaller restaurant segments have seen significant market penetration from newer entrants, who are also securing more favorable processing rates [4] - The majority of restaurant transactions (approximately 85%) are conducted via credit or debit cards, indicating a strong reliance on electronic payment methods [4] Company Analysis - Clover, owned by Fiserv, holds a dominant position in the small restaurant POS market with an estimated 20% market share, equating to around 175,000 locations [7] - Toast follows closely with a 17% market share, representing approximately 145,000 locations, and is projected to grow significantly from 134,000 locations in 2024 to 244,000 by 2028 [6][7] - Square, part of Block, ranks as the third-largest player in the smaller restaurant segment with a 13% market share, while Global Payments holds an 11% share [7] Market Overview - The U.S. restaurant and bar market was valued at about $1.1 trillion in sales last year, with the smaller restaurant segment accounting for roughly 75% of this overall market [7] - The largest restaurant groups typically process card payments directly with major processors like Fiserv, Worldpay, and JPMorgan Chase, which influences the competitive landscape [7]