Jimmy Johns Readies Contactless Mobile Payments System

If you’ve never actually eaten at a Jimmy John’s, then I suggest you do. The sandwiches are made with almost shocking speed, taste wonderful—about as good as a sandwich can taste, anyway—and are comparatively inexpensive. In short, it’s one of your best lunchtime options, and there’s probably one near you right now. There’s a whole new reason to go—at least there will be soon—as Jimmy John’s tests out new contactless payment systems.

The new systems are built around Worldpay and Verifone systems, including Worldpay’s payment processing operations and Verifone’s Engage P400 hardware. Jimmy John’s has a longtime relationship with these two firms; it was an early adopter of the Engage P400, and it’s also been partnered with Worldpay under its Integrated Payments systems.

Since the P400 offers not only a touchscreen interface but also connection with several mobile wallets, including Google Pay Smart Tap and Apple Pay, it should be a good fit for most users. Additionally, it’s considered Europay / Mastercard / Visa (EMV) grade, so the system should prove secure as well as useful.

Jimmy John’s CMO, John Shea, noted “At Jimmy John’s, we want the fastest and most secure payment experience for our customers. With cutting-edge technology from Worldpay and Verifone, we will be even better equipped to provide fast and frictionless service to our customers in the payment method of their choice.”

Jimmy John’s was already noted for fast service. The company’s advertising practically worships this fact, noting that it offers “subs so fast you’ll freak.” It’s not just hyperbole, though; I’ve eaten there and have been surprised on several occasions by how rapidly the subs were turned out, and with little if any loss in quality. By introducing contactless payments, Jimmy John’s will make already fast service even faster. This is no doubt going to be well-received by legions of lunchtime patrons who have only a limited time to get lunch and get back to work.

In the end, contactless payments will likely prove helpful for Jimmy John’s, as it works to keep its customer base against a horde of fast-lunch competitors. The fast-casual market is dog-eat-dog these days, no pun intended, and anything that can be done to get and keep customers is worth considering.