This guide will walk you through setting up and configuring your credit card processing settings in CaterZen using Braintree or Authorize.net. If you have not yet connected your Braintree account to CaterZen, please contact our Team for additional information and assistance. 


Click here to find information on Which Gateway Can I Use To Have CaterZen Run My Credit Cards. 


For information on how your credit cards are processed, see Credit Card Processing - Automatic or Credit Card Processing - Manual


Step 1: Access Credit Card Processing Settings

  • Log into your CaterZen account.
  • Click on the Admin tab.       
  • Scroll down to Global Settings.
  • Click on Credit Card Processing.


Step 2: Select Your Credit Card Processor

If you have not set up your credit card processor yet:


Step 3: Configure Transaction Handling Settings

Click on Credit Card Processing Settings, where you will find a dropdown menu with four options for handling transactions:


Option 1: Authorize Payment When Order is Created & Automatically Process at End of Day

  • When an order is placed, the system authorizes the credit card.

  • The payment is automatically processed at the end of the day, regardless of the order date.

  • Employees can override this setting manually.      

Option 2: Authorize Payment When Order is Created & Manually Process Later

  • The system verifies the card’s validity and ensures at least $1 is available.
  • The user must manually process the payment later via the Accounting tab.
  • This option allows for flexible payment timing.
  • Additional Info: If you choose this option, make sure your team has a process in place to manually charge the customer’s card when needed. This is useful for businesses that require verification before finalizing transactions. However, if the payment is not processed in a timely manner, there is a risk of expired authorizations, requiring the customer to re-enter their payment details.
  • Important Note: In the Online Ordering Interface, CaterZen will attempt to authorize the payment when the order is placed. If the card fails authorization, the order will not be created until the customer provides valid payment details. Customers will be redirected to the checkout page with a payment failed message if their card is declined.     

Option 3: Automatically Process Credit Card Based on Time Rules

  • The system will automatically charge the card based on selected rules. 

  • You can set the card to be charged on:

    • The day of the order

    • One, two, or three days after the order date

  • Choose the time of day for the charge to be processed.

  • For invoice payments, it is recommended to set this to Automatically Captured to finalize transactions immediately.   

Option 4: Pre-Authorize Card Prior to Order Date & Process Based on Time Rules

  • For more additional information on Pre-Authorized Cards, click here:

  • This option pre-authorizes the card before the order date to ensure validity and available funds. 

  • You can set the pre-authorization to occur:

    • One, two, or three days before the order date

    • Choose the time of day for pre-authorization

  • Optionally, set a Pre-Authorization Increase Percentage:

    • Example: If the order total is $500 and you set a 20% increase, the system will pre-authorize $600.

    • Useful for businesses where customers add tips or frequently modify orders.


Step 4: Configure Additional Settings

Email Notifications for Credit Card Reports

  • Click Manage under this section.

  • Add email addresses for employees who should receive transaction approvals and decline notifications. Click Add Row if you need more options.

  • Click Save Changes to apply.


Automatically Send Sales Receipts to Customers

  • Check the box to enable this feature.

  • Customize the receipt email if needed.

  • Click Save to confirm changes.


Enable Invoice Payments for Customers


Need Further Assistance?

If you have any additional questions or need further clarification, please contact our Support Team. We’re happy to assist you!


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