News

McDonald’s adds support for Softcard mobile payment platform

October 28, 2014

McDonald's today announced it is adding support for Softcard. Customers can use their smartphones to pay and apply offers in both McDonald's restaurants and drive-thru lanes.

With 14,000 US locations, McDonald's announcement marks the largest deployment of NFC-based mobile commerce in drive-thru to date, according to a news release.

McDonald's and Softcard deployed pilots in select stores in 2013.

"Our work with Softcard further reinforces McDonald's commitment to customer service and convenience," Anja Carroll, McDonald's VP of Media and Consumer Connection, said in a news release. "By collaborating with top brands in the mobile payments and commerce space, we're able to deliver a more meaningful experience to our customers that includes greater speed, ease and value."

Softcard is a free app that combines payments, offers and loyalty. McDonald's customers can download and use Softcard today on more than 80 mobile devices across AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless. Through its use of the contactless EMV global standard and SmartTap mobile commerce technology, Softcard enables payments, offers and loyalty redemption through a single tap, the release said.

"McDonald's is one of the world's most iconic and innovative brands," said Softcard CEO Michael Abbott. "The scale and reach of McDonald's will drive mobile payments further into the mainstream and demonstrate the value Softcard delivers to both merchants and customers."

Last month, Subway also announced its strategic partnership with Softcard to support mobile payments. 

The world's two largest restaurant brands are moving aggressively in the mobile commerce space, having also been named initial partners of Apple Pay last month.