Square announced today that 7,000 Starbucks locations throughout the U.S. will begin accepting mobile payments using Square Wallet, allowing users to pay with a credit or debit card using an iPhone or Android smartphone. The service works by requiring the merchant to scan a QR code at checkout.
Starting today, Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ: SBUX) will begin accepting Square’s mobile payment application, Square Wallet, in participating U.S. company-operated locations. With Square Wallet, Starbucks is giving customers another way to enjoy a quick, seamless payment experience at approximately 7,000 Starbucks stores.
With Square Wallet people can pay at Starbucks and explore nearby businesses, browse menu information, store hours and transaction history, all on their phone. Square Wallet is in addition to Starbucks own mobile payment applications on iOS and Android™, which are used by Starbucks customers more than 2 million times each week, and are fully integrated with the Starbucks Card and My Starbucks Rewards™ programs.
The service will initially be available in 7,000 stores, and may roll out to additional locations in the future. The ability to tip a server will also be coming sometime in 2013. Starbucks and Square officially announced their payment partnership in early August, and this is one of the first real fruits of that relationship.
