Ask, Zizzi and Carluccio's sign up for Qkr! payment app

Ask Italian and Zizzi, which are part of Azzurri Group, and Carluccio's are introducing a fuss-free way for their diners to pay using a mobile device app.

The Qkr! with MasterPass app is designed so customers can pay their bill when it suits them, rather waiting for it. It will be introduced across the 250-strong Ask and Zizzi portfolio and 95 Carluccio's by the end of the year.

Developed by MasterCard Labs, the app's main benefit is convenience, allowing diners to control how and when they pay. If they are in a hurry, for instance, they can pay quickly. Or if they are dining in a group they can split the bill then pay.

Doug Wooten, head of IT for the Azzurri Group, commented: "By implementing Qkr!, our restaurant teams can focus on delivering great service to customers. We know that splitting bills is a pain point for our customers and if they choose to pay with Qkr! it offers them a convenient solution, together with paperless receipts on the app for easy reference."

The speedy-pay system was introduced into Wagamama's 112 UK restaurants earlier this year. It is now preparing to scale up the app, introducing new features such as a facility for diners to browse the menu and order extra food or drinks straight to their table.

Scott Abrahams, a group head at MasterCard UK&I, said: "We are confident that their customers and the restaurants themselves will mirror Wagamama's experience, where both parties really benefit. Customers can enjoy their meal in the time they have and pay when ready, and restaurants can turn tables around more quickly and serve more customers."

Customers can register with any payment card, not just a MasterCard, when they download the app. The company, which processes 65,000 secure transactions a minute, claims the method is secure.