Description: Learn how to enable patron-facing pricing and POS configuration options under the Advantage Program in Future POS to help offset operational costs, including the three available pricing options and their setup within the software.

The Advantage Program is a series of patron-facing and POS configuration options designed to help you offset operational costs. There are three pricing and POS configuration options under the Advantage Program for Future POS.
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Warning: Advantage Program and Debit/EBT transactions are incompatible! Also, please note that if the site is using STOLO and is using a version of Future below 6.0.7.33, the site will need to be updated to the latest version of FPOS before proceeding with setup. Shift4 cannot guarantee that any Advantage Program setup or configuration will be completed by a specific date or deadline. Setup timelines may vary based on system version, merchant readiness, and required updates.

All Advantage Program participants should be aware of the following disclosure: Advantage Program Disclosure Agreement.

Important: The Advantage Program is NOT a surcharge program. Shift4 does not support or endorse any type of credit card surcharging. It is your responsibility to be familiar with the patron-facing pricing and POS configuration options available under Shift4's Advantage Program and choose the option that works best for your business.

Important: All previous Advantage Program settings need to be removed first.

Advantage Program Pros & Cons Feature Overview

This section provides a high-level overview of each Advantage Program pricing model, including what it does, primary benefits, and important limitations based on how Future POS functions.

This section is intended to help merchants and technicians determine which option best fits the merchant’s operational needs before the merchant is enrolled in an Advantage Program option.

Supplemental Fee

Customers are charged an additional fee on top of posted prices, regardless of payment method. This fee is configured using the Sales Tax Maintenance framework in Future POS for calculation and reporting purposes, and can be forgiven at the POS.

Pros

Simplest configuration model.
Can be manually removed using a button.
Works with both cash and non-cash tenders.
Does not require item price changes.

Cons / Limitations

Fee appears as an added charge on receipts.
Must be clearly disclosed to customers.
Removing the fee causes POS reports to differ from Shift4 Gateway deposits.
Fee forgiveness is POS-side only and does not affect gateway calculations.
Not compatible with Debit/EBT or Due Rounding

Cash Discount

Item prices are increased, and a discount is applied when the customer pays with cash.

Pros

Discount logic is simple and flexible.
Compatible with Due Rounding.
Does not require Alternate Totals or screen modifications.

Cons / Limitations

Merchant must manually adjust all item prices after initial setup.
Discount is applied at checkout, not shown on menu.
Requires staff to press the Cash Discount button whenever a customer is paying with cash.
Reports reflect discounted totals, not original pricing.
Not compatible with Debit/EBT.

Cash Discount – Common User Error

Failing to split checks when using mixed payment types.
If a check includes both cash and non-cash payments, the check must be split before settlement. Otherwise, the Cash Discount cannot be correctly applied.

Dual Pricing

Description
Customers are presented with two pricing options: one for cash and one for non-cash. The POS automatically calculates the percentage-based fee and displays both totals on the receipt.

Important: Dual Pricing requires merchants to display both cash and non-cash prices on all menus and customer-facing materials in accordance with card brand (Visa) disclosure requirements. General signage indicating a percentage fee does not satisfy Dual Pricing disclosure rules.

Pros

Fully transparent pricing model.
Customer sees both Cash and Non-Cash totals.
Most compliant with “true dual pricing” models.
Automatically calculates non-cash adjustment.

Cons / Limitations

Not compatible with Due Rounding.
Requires extensive Terminal Screen modifications.
Not compatible with Digital Signage, Customer Facing Display, or Scoreboards.
Requires Alternate Total configuration.
More complex setup and maintenance.
Removing or applying cash price causes POS vs Gateway deposit discrepancies.
Not compatible with Debit/EBT.

Dual Pricing – Common User Errors

Due to how Dual Pricing functions within Future POS, incorrect user workflows are one of the most common causes of unexpected totals and reporting discrepancies.

Common Issues

Failing to split checks before settling with different tender types.
If a check contains both cash and non-cash payments, the check must be split prior to settlement. Otherwise, the system cannot correctly apply the appropriate cash or non-cash pricing logic.
Settling with cash before applying “Apply Cash Price.”
If the user settles the check with a non-cash tender and then attempts to apply the cash price afterward, the supplemental fee will not be removed correctly.
Forgetting to forgive the Supplemental Fee when needed.
In scenarios where a customer should receive the cash price but pays with a non-cash tender, the “Apply Cash Price” button must be used before settlement.
Assuming Dual Pricing behaves like Cash Discount.
Dual Pricing is not a model that "gives a discount for using cash" -- rather, it adds a percentage fee to the customer's bill if they are using a credit card.

Best Practice
Always ensure:

Checks are split by payment method when using mixed tenders.
Cash price or fee forgiveness is applied before settling the check.
Staff are trained on the correct settlement workflow for Dual Pricing.

Important System Restrictions

The following system-level limitations apply to all Advantage Program configurations in Future POS:

Advantage Program is not compatible with Debit or EBT transactions.
Advantage Program is not a surcharge program.
All previous Advantage Program settings must be removed before enabling a new model.
STOLO sites must be running Future POS 6.0.7.33 or higher.
Certain actions (fee forgiveness, cash price) are POS-side only and will not match Shift4 Gateway calculations.

Perform a Backup

Refer to Create or Restore a Backup for Future POS to create a backup with DBSetup.

Verify the Merchant Program

Open up Titan > Programs.
Ensure the Merchant has been approved for the Advantage Program.
Note the percentage, you will need to use it for setting up.

Supplemental Fee

Customers are charged an additional fee on top of posted prices, regardless of the payment method they are using. This fee can be discounted at your discretion.

Tax Setup

Open the Back Office > Maintenances > Sales Tax.
Scroll down to the very last line.
Use "Supplemental Fee" for the Description.
Under the Tax Calculation Method, select Flat Percentage, then the Edit Percent button.
Enter the approved Advantage Program percentage (found in Titan > Programs) in the Tax Percent input field.
Select the Any Remainder Rounds Down radio button.
Select OK.
Enable Exclude From Displayed Total.
Enable Include in Alternate Total.
Enable Update Alternate Display when Tax is Forgiven.
Make sure “Hide Tax” on receipts is not checked.
Select File > Save.

Apply a Fee to Items

Go to Maintenances > Item.
Select Edit > Mass Attribute.
Select the General Information tab.
Under Tax Flags, enable the Supplemental Fee. Ensure both boxes are enabled to apply it to the items.
Select OK.
The Mass Attribute window will appear. Choose Select By Mask.
It will be defaulted to *. Select OK.
This will select all items.
Once all items are selected, choose OK.
You will see a window pop up asking for confirmation. Select Yes.

It will take a few moments to apply attributes to items. Once it’s done it will go back to Item Maintenance.

Remove the Supplemental Fee Button

First, you should find a location for the button. Typical places would be under User Functions or Manager Functions, depending on if the merchant wants servers/bartenders to be allowed to remove Supplemental Fee.

Go to Maintenances > Button.
Find a location for the button. In this example, it will be next to the Today’s Sales button, under the Manager Functions screen.
Select Today’s Sales.
Change the Function to Forgive Tax.
Select Edit Function Data.
Select the Toggle forgiving taxes specified below radio button.
Select the Supplemental Fee tax.
Select OK.
Select Edit Image.
Change the text to "Remove Supplemental Fee." You may also change the button color to make it stand out or the text size accordingly.
Select OK.
Change the button position to the location you want the button to be placed. In this example, it will be next to the Today’s Sales button.
Select File > Save As.
Name the button with the same prefix and call it "Remove Supplemental Fee."
Select OK.

The button to remove Supplemental Fee is now on the screen.
Change the Security or Ask for Supervisor ID according to the merchant's wishes.

Important: Removing the supplemental fee would result in the estimated bank deposit being lower than is shown in the Sales by Range and other reports. See Frequently Asked Questions below.

Cash Discount

Customers get a discount on posted prices when specifically paying in cash.

Warning: All items will need to be adjusted to make up for the Cash Discount difference.

Adjust Item Pricing (Technician Step)

As part of the Cash Discount setup process, the technician must increase all item prices to account for the Cash Discount percentage approved in Titan. This ensures the discount functions correctly and prevents pricing discrepancies for the merchant.

Go to Maintenances > Item.
Select Edit > Mass Attribute.
Select the Pricing tab.
Use the Price Adjustment option to increase prices by the approved Advantage Program percentage from Titan > Programs.
In the Pricing tab, select the arrow below the pricing grid to view additional price schedules. Select all price level checkboxes that have descriptions. Price schedules labeled only as “Price Schedule” do not need to be selected.
Select OK and apply to all items.

Discount Setup

Go to Maintenance> Discount.
Go to a blank discount in the drop-down menu.
Set the Discount Description to Cash Discount.
Select the Percentage Off Each Item radio button. It should match the percentage in Titan.
Enable Discount Subtracts From Taxable Total.
Enable Discount has own section on Sales Report.
Select the Promotional radio button under Discount Reason.
Set Max Discount to $9999.99.
Set Security to 0.
Set Start Date to today and End Date to 12/31/3000.
Set Start Time to 12:00:00AM and End Time to 11:59:59PM.
Select every day, Sunday through Saturday.
Select File > Save.

Apply the Discount Button

Go to Maintenances > Button.
Find a location for the button. In this example, it will be next to the Today’s Sales button, under the Manager Functions screen.
Select Today’s Sales.
Change the Function to Discount Items.
Select Edit Function Data.
Select the Apply Specific Discount to Entire Sale radio button.
Enable Do Not Prompt for Discount Reason.
Select the discount to apply: Cash Discount.
Select OK.
Select Edit Image. Change the text to "Cash Discount." You may also change the button color to make it stand out or change the text size accordingly.
Select OK.
Change the button position to the location you want the button to be placed. In this example, it will be next to the Today’s Sales button.
Name the button with the same prefix and call it "Cash Discount."
Select OK.
Change the Security and/or Ask for Supervisor ID according to the merchant's wishes.

Dual Pricing

Customers are presented with two pricing options: one for Cash payment, and one for Non-Cash payment. The Non-Cash price is increased by a specific percentage.

Important: Merchants using this option are required to display cash and non-cash prices on ALL items in ALL customer facing locations. This would NOT be a setup compatible with Digital Signage, Customer Facing Display, or Scoreboards.

Cash and Non-Cash on Receipts

Go to Settings > System Settings > Settings 3.
Set Total Description to Total (Cash):.
Set Alt Total Description to Total (Non-Cash):.
Set Cash Amount to Cash Amount:.
Select File > Save.
Note: When you save in System Settings, it will restart the front end on every terminal. Ensure they are not open or if they are open, aren’t settling a check or entering an order.
After a few moments, you will see the following pop up window. Select Yes.
After a few moments, all services should have restarted and the front end should be open on all terminals.
Receipts will now print showing a Cash and Non-Cash total and not show the Supplemental Fee tax line.

Cash Amount on the Settle Check Button

Go to Maintenances > Button.
Note: Each button instance that uses the Settle Check function will need to be updated.
Select Edit.
Select Find Button.
A window will pop up. Select the Find Buttons with a Specific Button Function radio button.
Select the Settle Check function.
Select OK. It may bring up a report displaying all of the buttons associated with that function. You must be sure to change every button. If it doesn’t open a report, it will take you directly to the button.
Select Edit Function Data.
Enable Show Cash Amount.
Select OK.

Select File > Save.

It will now display the Cash Amount total on the Settle Check screen.

Cash and Non-Cash Amount on Screen

This is where it gets a little tricky. First, you have to check where the menu buttons go in order to see what terminal screen they’re using. Typically, the Menus are all either on one terminal screen or they all have separate screens. Also, the Server and Manager screens often have the same terminal screen.

Go to Maintenances > Button.
Typically, buttons for the Common Menu (Apps, Beer, Beverage, etc.) as well as the Server and Manager screens start with "COM-MN-." Sometimes they are generic names like AAA-ZZMN. This example is AAA-ZZM. Then the following prefix would be named appropriately for the screen it goes to. For example, COM-MN-APPETIZERS or AAA-ZZ-MN001- and 001 indicates the first menu on the screen.
Select the first common menu item. In this example, it’s AAA-ZZM001.
Select Edit Function Data. Take a look at the Goto Menu Register Screen. Note the name of that screen.

Note: Be sure to check the Server Functions and Manager screens as well. They likely have a different screen.
Once you have determined which Terminal Screens to find, open Maintenances > Terminal Screens.
Select the drop-down menu to see the screens.
Select the first Terminal Screen you need to edit. In this example, it will be Default Screen.
You will need to make room on the screen for the Alternate Total and Bitmap, Static Text, or Button. That will require you to resize the Receipt list box.
Once you have resized the Receipt box and moved the Bitmaps, Static Text, or Buttons, along with the Informational boxes associated with those items up, you’ll have to add the new Informational Control called Alternate Total.
Take a look at the Informational Control above to match the size and Y location.
Select Edit > New Control.
Select Informational > Alternate Total.
Select OK.
Enter the measurements of the box.
- X=139
- Y=596
- Width=134
- Height=28
  Before you select OK, you can adjust the X to the proper location, Y=626.
Select OK. Next is to add either the Bitmap, Static Text, or Button.
- If they are Bitmaps, use the following images:
- If they are Static Text, name them accordingly.
- If they are Buttons, step 23 will show you how to name it.
Use the same method as above to place the new Bitmap, Static Text, or Button.
Check the measurements of the box and select Edit > New Control.
Select the appropriate control type. In this example it’s a Button. The next in sequence is 120.
Select OK.
Adjust the Y to match the Alternate Total Box.
- X=13
- Y=626
- Width=124
- Height=30
If there is no Grand Total, you will have to add it to the Terminal Screen as well.
Select File > Save.
Start over on the other Terminal Screens in use to ensure all active screens are showing Cash and Non-Cash.
If using a Button, you will have to change the name to "Cash Total."
Open Maintenances > Button. In this example the button name is AAA-ZZL118.
Select Edit Image and change the text to "Cash Total."
Select OK.
Select File > Save.
To create a button for Non-Cash Total, use the Cash Total button as a template.
Change the position to the one created on Terminal Screen. In this example, it’s 120.
Select Edit Image and change the text to "Non-Cash Total."
Select File > Save As. Change button name to appropriate name. In this example, it’s AAA-ZZL120.

Tax Setup

Open the Back Office > Maintenance> Sales Tax.
Scroll down to the very last line.
Use "Supplemental Fee" for the Description.
Under the Tax Calculation Method, select Flat Percentage, then the Edit Percent button.
Enter the approved Advantage Program percentage (found in Titan > Programs) in the Tax Percent input field.
Select the Any Remainder Rounds Down radio button.
Select OK.
Enable Exclude From Displayed Total.
Enable Include in Alternate Total.
Enable Update Alternate Display when Tax is Forgiven.
Make sure Hide Tax on receipts is not checked.
Select File > Save.

Apply a Fee to Items

Go to Maintenances > Item.
Select Edit > Mass Attribute.
Select the General Information tab.
Under Tax Flags, enable the Supplemental Fee. Ensure both boxes are enabled to apply it to the items.
Select OK.
The Mass Attribute window will appear. Choose Select By Mask.
It will be defaulted to *. Select OK.
This will select all items.
Once all items are selected, choose OK.
You will see a window pop up asking for confirmation. Select Yes.

It will take a few moments to apply attributes to items. Once it’s done it will go back to Item Maintenance.

Cash Media to Discount Automatically

Go to Maintenances > Media.
Set Media to Cash.
Enable Supplemental Fee under Media Forgives Tax.
Select File > Save.

Apply the Cash Price Button

The purpose of this button is to forgive the Supplemental Fee even when paying with Non-Cash.

Go to Maintenances > Button.
Find a location for the button. In this example, it will be next to the Today’s Sales button, under the Manager Functions screen.
Select Today’s Sales.
Change the Function to Forgive Tax.
Select Edit Function Data.
Select the Toggle forgiving taxes specified below radio button.
Select the Supplemental Fee tax.
Select OK.
Select Edit Image.
Change the text to "Apply Cash Price." You may also change the button color to make it stand out or change the text size accordingly.
Select OK.
Change the button position to the location you want the button to be placed. In this example, it will be next to the Today’s Sales button.
Select File > Save As.
Name the button with the same prefix and call it "Apply Cash Price."
Select OK.

The button to Apply Cash Price is now on the screen.
Change the Security and/or Ask for Supervisor ID according to the merchant's wishes.

Important: Applying cash price would result in the estimated bank deposit being lower than is shown in the Sales by Range and other reports. See Frequently Asked Questions below.

If using SkyTab Mobile

Go to Settings > System Settings > Interfaces > Mozart.
Choose Enabled.
Choose Enabled under SkyTab.
Ensure each Media is assigned.
Enable Use Dual Mode Pricing.
Select File > Save.
Note: When you save in System Settings, it will restart the front end on every terminal. Ensure they are not open or if they are open, aren’t settling a check or entering an order.
After a few moments, you will see the following pop up window. Select Yes.

Optional: If the Non-Cash amount is to be calculated after tax, then the Tax on Tax program will need to be used

Open the Back Office > Maintenances > Sales Tax.
Go to Supplemental Fee tax.
Enable Is Credit Adjustment Tax.
Enable any taxes you would like to be included in the calculation.
Select File > Save.

Frequently Asked Questions

What would cause the bank deposit to be lower than as shown in the reports?

There are a couple of reasons why this could happen, but the most common reasons are as follows:

When cash price is applied for Dual Pricing or the fee is removed for Supplemental Fee, it would cause the batch deposit to be lower than will be shown in the reports as these operations are POS side only and would not affect the Shift4 Gateway backend computation.
For example, if the check total is $104 and either the Cash Price of $100 is applied, or the Supplemental Fee of $4 dollar is removed, the result would be:
- POS reports will show a non-cash payment (i.e., Bank Batch Subtotal) of $100
- Shift4 Gateway actual deposit would be $96.15 (computed from $100 / 1.04)
When a customer adds a tip after signing the credit card receipt, the POS report will show the original $4 computed non-cash adjustment but Shift4 Gateway backend will use the full amount charged to the card when computing the amount for the bank deposit.
For example, if the check total is $104 and the customer adds a $6 tip, based on the 4% daily discount, the result would be:
- POS reports will show non-cash payment (i.e., Bank Batch Subtotal) of $110
- Shift4 Gateway actual deposit would be $105.77 (computed from $110 / 1.04)

What Can We Help You With?

Set up Advantage Program on FuturePOS

Advantage Program Pros & Cons Feature Overview

Supplemental Fee

Cash Discount

Dual Pricing

Dual Pricing – Common User Errors

Common Issues

Important System Restrictions

Perform a Backup

Verify the Merchant Program

Supplemental Fee

Tax Setup

Apply a Fee to Items

Remove the Supplemental Fee Button

Cash Discount

Adjust Item Pricing (Technician Step)

Discount Setup

Apply the Discount Button

Dual Pricing

Cash and Non-Cash on Receipts

Cash Amount on the Settle Check Button

Cash and Non-Cash Amount on Screen

Tax Setup

Apply a Fee to Items

Cash Media to Discount Automatically

Apply the Cash Price Button

Frequently Asked Questions

What would cause the bank deposit to be lower than as shown in the reports?

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