The hospitality industry is experiencing a fundamental shift in how it approaches technology. While the focus was once on transaction volume and cost reduction, today’s leaders are thinking strategically, leveraging their payment systems to help drive business growth and elevate the guest experience.
The 2025 Enterprise Needs Assessment Study confirms this evolution, highlighting a clear consensus: A unified, integrated payment system is no longer a luxury — it's a necessity. The study, sponsored by Toast, FreedomPay, and Hanover Research, surveyed 200 C-level executives and IT decision-makers and revealed what’s truly at stake for businesses in this new era.
The power of systems that talk
When your systems work together, everyone benefits. The study found that a staggering 100% of merchants surveyed said integrated solutions are either very or extremely valuable. This high level of integration isn't just about efficiency; it’s about a desire of creating a smarter, more secure, and more scalable business.
A single, integrated platform connects your payments to your point-of-sale and other key software. This allows for:
- Operational agility: Seamless data flow across all departments, from the front desk to the kitchen, so you can adapt quickly.
- Enhanced security: With 52% of respondents citing increased data security as the top benefit of an integrated solution, a unified system can be a defense against growing risks.
- Scalable growth: 92% of leaders believe an integrated solution can scale with their business, providing a foundation for future expansion without sacrificing resources or performance.
Meeting guest expectations
Today's guests expect flexibility, and hospitality providers know it's critical to provide this. The study found that a variety of payment methods are seen as critical to operations, from traditional credit cards (97%) to mobile payments (94%), eWallets (83%), and contactless payments (67%). A unified system ensures you can accept all these methods at every touchpoint, from the reservation to the final bill, without friction.
Your payment system is more than a way to get paid — it’s a key driver of your strategic success. To learn how a modern, integrated payment solution can deliver operational agility, embedded trust, and scalable growth, download the full whitepaper today.
