News

NY Wendy's accepting payments through E-ZPass tags

November 26, 2013

Five State Island, N.Y., Wendy's restaurants are using a new service called iDriveThru, which allows customers to use their E-ZPass tags to pay for meals at the drive-thru. According to The New York Post, the service reads E-ZPass tags and links purchases to the credit or debit card information already entered online.

The story reports that interstate tolling agencies could generate up to $150,000 a year from transaction fees from Wendy's use of the service.

In 2001, two Long Island, N.Y., McDonald's restaurants tested a similar program where purchases were deducted from E-ZPass accounts, with 15 cents of every transaction going to the MTA. The test was halted after reports of E-ZPasses were stolen to buy food.

The story says the new iDriveThru platform includes security features to prevent such theft. Receipts for meals are provided on smartphones.

There is also a loyalty component to the service. Customers who spend money with their E-ZPass will earn points that accumulate to discounts for subsequent drive-thru orders.

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