If there’s one thing that hasn’t slowed down over the years, it’s cafe culture. In fact, it’s only grown stronger. The Philippine foodservice sector continues to grow – projected to rise by 10% in 2026 according to the USDA – and one major contributor is small businesses like coffee shops entering this space. But behind the stylish interiors, busy queues, and creative menus lies a reality many don’t talk about enough: the pressure to operate efficiently.

For Archie Villamor and his team at Honey Bakes Café Baguio, it’s about finding ways to simplify and automate tasks that would otherwise be too time-consuming manual processes. For Cynthia Tiplady, franchise owner of Chambee Ace Café Baguio, it’s about overcoming delays, especially during peak hours.

As a result, both business owners began using solutions from GCash for Business. From accepting payments to tracking sales, these tools set them up on the path to their easy era as business owners: fewer inefficiencies and more time to focus on what matters most.

When manual systems can’t keep up

Many coffee shop owners focus on getting their products right, but what often gets overlooked is the operational side that keeps everything running smoothly.

“Before, we simply had a system of manually tracking cash flow and recording expenses daily. Each month, we summed up sales to determine if we had a positive net income,” Archie shares. But soon, manual tracking became harder to sustain. Now, as a merchant partner of GCash for Business, Archie and his team have access to the GCash for Business portal that lets them track and manage transactions in one place. It has no wallet limit for receiving cashless payments and no transaction fees when paying suppliers. Previously, manual processes can now be automated through this centralized dashboard, saving time for the whole staff.

Finding ways to transact more efficiently

At Chambee Ace Café, one of Cynthia’s priorities quickly became keeping transactions as smooth as possible, especially during peak hours. Setting up shop in the country’s summer capital comes with a wide mix of customers, such as big groups of tourists ordering in bulk or students and office workers in a rush. Small delays, like manually verifying online transfers, slow their operations.

“Before, we were using a mix of payment methods like bank transfers, QR codes, GCash, and cash,” she shares. Having to manage all of this, they needed a solution fast. For a long time, solutions like enterprise-grade POS terminals were largely accessible only to bigger businesses.

Today, GCash for Business is changing that with the new GCash EasyPOS, an innovation that allows businesses to accept all payments that customers look for – such as either through scan QR or card payments – all in one device. It also prints receipts instantly, easing the process. Merchants can also manage transactions, refunds, and reconciliation directly on the terminal.

Meanwhile, at Honey Bakes, Archie and his staff have also adapted the new GCash SoundPay Plus. This all-in-one, affordable payment device enables merchants to accept QR, card, and tap-to-pay (NFC) transactions in a single device. It provides real-time voice confirmation, helping both staff and customers confirm payments instantly, helping speed up transactions during busy hours, and allows them to focus on more important aspects of their operations – introducing their offerings to their customers, answering inquiries, and making sure things are running smoothly.

“Using GCash SoundPay Plus has sped up the long queues in our store. It has just made everything more convenient, secure, and overall easier for both our customers and our staff,” Archie says.

As more people seek memorable coffee shop experiences, businesses continue to look for ways to meet the changing needs of customers, so they can focus on their customers and grow their business.

Be among the first to adapt the new GCash EasyPOS and GCash SoundPay Plus, the newest payment solutions from GCash for Business. To get started, simply create an account on the GCash for Business Portal. Start as an official GCash merchant using just your verified GCash account of at least 12 months to qualify for a Starter Plan. Order your desired device, then wait for email confirmation and your delivery details.

For more information on how GCash helps empower businesses and explore other products to help your business, visit GCash for Business.