Max’s Group, Inc. (MGI), the largest casual dining company in the Philippines, has partnered with GCash, the pioneer in electronic payments using QR codes, to help jumpstart the country’s move into a cashless ecosystem.
MGI is composed of Max’s, Pancake House, Krispy Kreme, Jamba Juice, Yellow Cab, Teriyaki Boy, Dencio’s, Maple, Singkit, Kabisera, Sizzlin’ Steak, and Le Coure de France.
“I think there is a great opportunity for us to address the consumer needs especially the phone as a wallet since there is a great amount of convenience that comes with that,” said Sharon Fuentebella, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MGI.
Dave Fuentebella, MGI Chief Financial Officer added: We find the use of GCash scan to pay feature to be seamless so we are anticipating that it will grow as more customers use this payment gateway facility. We’re excited to see how this will evolve. Right now, we are very happy with how GCash is being used. We’re just waiting for it to be rolled out in all our stores for other consumers to experience it as well.”
The GCash scan to pay feature will be available in at least 50 stores across MGI’s network by the end of November, with more stores slated to rollout the service in 2018.
GCash pioneered in the Philippines the use of the reversed QR payments via smartphone, a move which is expected to change the landscape of how Filipinos usually pay for their purchases.
Through the scan to pay feature of the GCash App, customers can use their GCash account to pay for goods and services by simply scanning QR codes displayed by merchants and establishments. For the consumers, this eliminates the hassle of bringing money, waiting for change, or getting into misunderstandings over payments. Merchants, on the other hand, would no longer need expensive machines to process mobile money transactions but only QR stickers with a unique code that is linked to their GCash wallet.
Albert Tinio, GCash President and CEO, on the other hand, welcomed Max’s Group to the fold of early adopters of e-payment, particularly the scan to pay feature of the GCash App. “We are glad to see a big restaurant chain like Max’s embracing the future of e-payments in the Philippines. QR scanning via mobile phone as a mode of payment is already widely-accepted in China, India and other countries in Asia and we want to replicate its success here through the help of our partners like Max’s Group,” he said.
By making QR codes available to anyone, even to ambulant vendors and sari-sari store owners, GCash will be paving the way for a cashless society which means faster, more convenient, and secure transactions for both merchants and consumers.
Its introduction is in line with the thrust of GCash investors – Globe Telecom, Ant Financial, and Ayala Corporation, to accelerate financial inclusion and upgrade payment services in the Philippines.
