Our Los Angeles merchant services cover everything your business needs to accept card payments: a merchant account, a card terminal or POS for in-person sales, contactless and mobile wallet acceptance, and an online gateway for your website, invoices and payment links.
The right set-up for a taco truck in Boyle Heights looks very different from one for a production company in Burbank or a DTC brand in the Arts District, so the first step is matching the tools to how your customers actually pay.
QuadraPay serves businesses across Los Angeles and Southern California. You get a quote with the full fee breakdown before you sign anything. For businesses elsewhere in the state, see credit card processing in California.
Merchant Services for Los Angeles Businesses: What’s Included
Whether you search for a merchant services provider, a credit card processing service provider or a merchant processing platform in Los Angeles, you’re looking for the same set of parts. Here is what each one does.
| Component | What it does for your business |
|---|---|
| Merchant account | An agreement with an acquiring bank or payment provider that lets you accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover and receive the funds in your business bank account. |
| Card terminal or POS | Takes chip, tap and mobile wallet payments in person. A POS adds menus, inventory, staff log-ins and reporting. |
| Payment gateway | Connects your website, online store, invoices or booking software to the merchant account. |
| Virtual terminal | Lets you key in card payments on a computer or tablet for phone orders and deposits. |
| ACH and eCheck | Bank-to-bank payments, often cheaper than cards for large B2B invoices and recurring billing. |
| Reporting and funding | Daily batch reports, chargeback alerts and deposits to your bank account on the provider’s funding schedule. |
In-Person, Contactless and Mobile Payment Processing in Los Angeles
Most in-person payments in LA are now tap-to-pay: contactless cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. Any terminal you choose should accept chip (EMV), contactless (NFC) and swipe as a fallback, and be supported by your provider for PCI DSS compliance. The question is which form factor suits where you take payment.
| Set-up | When it suits an LA business |
|---|---|
| Countertop terminal with printer | Retail shops, salons and quick-service counters with a fixed checkout. An example is the Valor VL100. |
| Handheld Android terminal | Pay-at-the-table restaurants, bars, patios and line-busting at busy stores. Examples include the Valor VP550 and Clover Flex. |
| Compact mobile terminal | Food trucks, farmers markets, pop-ups, events and field services. Options include the Dejavoo P5 and the Bluetooth Valor RCKT. See mobile credit card processing. |
| Multi-merchant terminal | Shared premises such as salon suites or a market hall where each operator has their own account. See multi-merchant credit card terminals. |
| Virtual terminal | Phone orders, deposits and keyed payments when the customer isn’t present. See virtual terminal. |
Features worth asking for
- Tip prompts with tips reported by employee, which helps with California’s tip payout rules (see the restaurant section below).
- Offline or cellular mode for food trucks, beach-side stalls and venues with unreliable Wi-Fi.
- Bilingual screens. Many terminals can show prompts in Spanish as well as English.
- Split payments across several cards, or card and cash.
- POS integration so card sales, refunds and inventory stay in one system.
Online Payments and Ecommerce Gateways for LA Businesses
An online merchant services provider gives your business a way to take card payments without the customer being present. For many Los Angeles businesses that means a website checkout, but it also covers payment links, invoices and subscriptions.
- Ecommerce checkout. A gateway that plugs into your store platform, with a hosted payment page or embedded checkout. See online credit card processing and ecommerce merchant accounts.
- Payment links and invoices. Send a secure link by text or email for deposits, custom orders and services. See our invoice payment gateway.
- Recurring billing. Memberships, classes, retainers and subscription boxes. See recurring merchant accounts and subscription payment processing.
- Fraud tools. Address verification, CVV checks and 3-D Secure reduce fraudulent online orders and the chargebacks that follow.
If you sell both in store and online, ask for one provider that handles both channels. Your reporting stays in one place, and a single relationship is easier to manage than two.
Restaurant Payment Processing in Los Angeles
LA restaurants run on fast table turns, tips, delivery apps and takeout. Restaurant payment processing in Los Angeles should support all of these without slowing down service.
Restaurant POS and payment solutions
- Pay-at-the-table handheld terminals, so the card never leaves the guest’s sight.
- Menus, modifiers and table management in the POS, with kitchen display or printer routing.
- Online ordering and QR code payments for pickup, curbside and patio service.
- Gift cards and loyalty built into the POS.
See restaurant credit card processing, food truck credit card processing, coffee shop payment solutions, pizza shop payment processing and nightclub credit card processing.
Service charges and card tips under California law
Two California rules affect how restaurants set up payments:
- Service charges. Under SB 1524, restaurants, bars and food vendors can add a mandatory service charge outside the menu price only if it is clearly and conspicuously displayed and explained on the menu or advertisement. See the California Attorney General’s SB 478 FAQ.
- Card tips. Tips paid by card must reach the employee no later than the next regular payday, and the employer can’t deduct card processing fees from them. See the California Labor Commissioner’s tips FAQ. A POS that reports tips by employee makes this easier.
Payment Processing for Small Businesses in Los Angeles
Most small businesses in LA need three things: a reliable way to take cards in person, a way to get paid remotely, and pricing they can understand. A good small business set-up usually combines one terminal or mobile reader, a virtual terminal or payment links, and a merchant account priced for your volume.
- Retail and boutiques. Countertop or handheld terminals with inventory. See retail merchant solutions, boutique credit card processing and convenience store credit card processing.
- Salons, barbers and wellness. Booking deposits, card on file and tips. See salon credit card processing and barber shop merchant services.
- Contractors and home services. Mobile payments on site and invoices for larger jobs. See credit card processing for contractors.
- New businesses. Providers can approve businesses with no processing history, but they will ask for more about your plans. See small business credit card processing.
Industries We Help in Los Angeles
Los Angeles has one of the most varied business economies in the country, and each sector has its own payment needs.
- Entertainment, production and creative services. Large B2B invoices, deposits and ACH. See B2B credit card processing and ACH payment processing.
- Fashion and apparel. Wholesale orders, showroom sales and online stores. See clothing merchant accounts.
- Logistics, freight and shipping. Card and ACH payments for shipping services. See shipping services merchant accounts.
- Events, markets and street vendors. Mobile terminals and offline mode. See event credit card processing and farmers market credit card processing.
- Call centers and phone sales. Virtual terminals and recurring billing. See call center merchant accounts.
- Smoke shops and other higher-risk retail. Some providers won’t accept these businesses, and others specialise in them. See head shop merchant accounts and high-risk merchant accounts.
What to Look for in a Local Merchant Services Provider
“Local” matters less for the payment technology, which works the same everywhere in the US, and more for how well your provider understands your market and how easy they are to reach. When you compare merchant services providers in Los Angeles, check these points:
- A full fee breakdown before you sign. Every rate, monthly fee, terminal cost and early termination fee in writing.
- Contract terms. The length of the agreement, automatic renewal and what it costs to leave.
- Equipment terms. Whether terminals are bought, rented or leased. Long, non-cancellable leases are a common source of complaints.
- Funding schedule. When deposits reach your bank account, and whether faster funding costs extra. See next-day funding merchant accounts.
- Support hours. Support that’s open during your trading hours in Pacific Time, including evenings and weekends if you run a restaurant or bar.
- Knowledge of California rules. A provider that can set up surcharging, cash discount, service charges and tip reporting in line with state law.
- Fit for your industry. A provider whose underwriting accepts your business model, so your account isn’t frozen after a few months.
Because we work with several acquiring partners, a decline from one provider doesn’t have to be the end of the road. We can look at others whose underwriting may suit your business better.
Credit Card Processing Fees in Los Angeles
There is no single rate for credit card processing in Los Angeles. What you pay depends on your industry, average ticket, monthly volume, how many payments are card-present versus online, and the mix of cards your customers use. Rewards and business cards cost more to accept than standard debit cards.
| Pricing model | How it works |
|---|---|
| Interchange-plus | You pay the card network’s interchange and assessment fees at cost, plus a fixed markup. The most transparent model and usually the best value as volume grows. |
| Flat rate | One percentage and per-transaction fee for most cards. Simple to understand and common for small or new businesses. See flat rate credit card processing. |
| Tiered | Transactions are grouped into qualified, mid-qualified and non-qualified rates. Harder to compare, so ask how each card type is classified. |
On top of the transaction rate, look for monthly account fees, PCI compliance fees, gateway fees, terminal costs and chargeback fees. Our guide to credit card processing fees explains each one.
Surcharging and cash discounts in California
California’s honest pricing law (SB 478), in force since 1 July 2024, requires advertised prices to include all mandatory fees. According to the Attorney General’s guidance, a credit card fee isn’t mandatory if customers can avoid it by paying another way, such as cash or debit. If your business only accepts cards, the fee counts as mandatory and must be built into your prices. The law covers sales to consumers, not purchases for commercial use.
Card network rules apply as well: surcharges are capped, need advance notice to the networks and clear disclosure to customers, and can’t be added to debit or prepaid cards. Cash discount and dual pricing programs are another option. See how to offset credit card processing fees. This is general information, not legal advice, so check your set-up with your provider or a lawyer.
What You’ll Need to Set Up a Merchant Account in Los Angeles
Providers verify your business during underwriting. Having these documents ready makes the application smoother:
- Business registration. Your EIN, plus California Secretary of State filings for an LLC or corporation.
- City of LA Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC). Required for every business operating in the City of Los Angeles. See the Office of Finance BTRC guide. Other cities in LA County have their own business licenses.
- California seller’s permit if you sell taxable goods.
- Industry permits where they apply, such as an LA County Public Health permit for food businesses or a Sidewalk & Park Vending Permit for street vendors. See StreetsLA sidewalk vending.
- Bank details for the business account that will receive your deposits, usually with a voided check or bank letter.
- Owner ID for each owner with a significant stake.
- Processing statements from your current provider, if you have them. These help with pricing and show your history.
- Your website, with clear refund, shipping and privacy policies, if you sell online.
How to Get Started
- Tell us about your business. What you sell, how customers pay, and your expected monthly volume and average ticket.
- Get a quote. We match you with providers that suit your business and show you the full fee breakdown.
- Choose your set-up. Terminal, POS, online gateway or a combination.
- Apply. The provider reviews your application. Timing varies by provider and industry. We usually reply to new enquiries within one business day.
- Go live. Your terminal is shipped and set up, or your gateway credentials are issued for your website.
Merchant Cash Advance for Los Angeles Businesses
A merchant cash advance gives your business a lump sum in exchange for a share of future card sales, repaid automatically as a percentage of daily or weekly receipts. It isn’t a loan, and the total cost can be high compared with bank financing, so compare offers carefully. In California, providers of commercial financing of $500,000 or less, including merchant cash advances, must give you a standard disclosure of the total cost and payment terms before you sign. Ask for it and compare it across offers. Eligibility, amounts and timing are set by the funding provider. See merchant cash advance.
Merchant Services Near Los Angeles
We also work with businesses across LA County and Orange County. See our pages for Long Beach, Pasadena, Burbank, Inglewood, Downey, El Monte, Norwalk, Lancaster, Palmdale, Anaheim, Santa Ana and Irvine.
Frequently Asked Questions About Merchant Services in Los Angeles
What are merchant services?
Merchant services are the accounts, equipment and software a business uses to accept card and digital payments: a merchant account, a terminal or POS, a payment gateway for online sales, and the reporting and funding behind them.
How do I choose the best merchant services provider in Los Angeles?
Compare full fee breakdowns, contract length, equipment terms, funding times and support hours, and check that the provider accepts your industry. The cheapest headline rate isn’t always the lowest total cost.
How much does credit card processing cost in Los Angeles?
It depends on your industry, volume, average ticket and card mix. Costs include a per-transaction rate and may include monthly, gateway, terminal and chargeback fees. Ask for interchange-plus pricing if you want to see exactly what you pay.
Can I add a credit card surcharge in California?
Possibly, with limits. Under SB 478 a card fee must be included in advertised prices unless customers can avoid it by paying another way. Card network caps and disclosure rules also apply, and debit cards can’t be surcharged.
Can my restaurant add a service charge to the bill?
Yes, if it is clearly and conspicuously displayed and explained on the menu or wherever prices are shown, under SB 1524. Keep service charges and tips separate in your POS.
Can I deduct card processing fees from my staff’s tips?
No. In California the employer must pay the full card tip to the employee, by the next regular payday, without deducting processing fees.
What is the best payment set-up for a food truck or street vendor in LA?
A compact mobile terminal with cellular or offline mode, so you can take payments wherever you park. You will also need the right permits, such as a Sidewalk & Park Vending Permit and, for food, an LA County health permit.
Can a new business get a merchant account?
Yes. Providers accept new businesses, but expect to give more detail about your business plan, expected volumes and website. Starting with conservative volume estimates can help.
Do I need a Los Angeles business tax certificate to apply?
If you operate in the City of Los Angeles, you are required to register for a Business Tax Registration Certificate, and providers may ask to see your registration. Other cities in LA County issue their own business licenses.
Can I accept contactless and mobile wallet payments?
Yes. Modern terminals accept contactless cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay alongside chip and swipe.
Can I take payments online and in store with one provider?
Yes. Many providers offer a terminal or POS and an online gateway on one account, so reporting and support stay in one place.
Is a merchant account better than Square, Stripe or PayPal?
Payment aggregators are quick to set up and suit many small businesses. They assess your account after sign-up, so large payments or disputes can lead to held funds. A dedicated merchant account is reviewed up front and can offer more predictable terms and pricing as your business grows.
Get Merchant Services for Your Los Angeles Business
Whether you run a restaurant in Silver Lake, a boutique on Melrose, a food truck in the Valley or an online store downtown, tell us how your customers pay. We’ll suggest a set-up and match you with payment partners that may suit your business, with every fee in writing before you sign. We work with US-registered businesses here, and with merchants in the UK, EU/EEA, Australia and New Zealand through our international pages. We can’t support merchants based in India. Request a quote.