Pix gains ground in Brazil's bars, restaurants; accounts for 20.5% of in-person payments
Sao Paulo, August 8
Brazil's instant payment system Pix is rapidly gaining popularity at bars and restaurants, accounting for 20.5 per cent of in-person sales in the sector, according to a survey conducted by the Brazilian Association of Bars and Restaurants, as reported by Brasil 247.
The survey, which covered 2,109 businesses across Brazil, found that Pix has made significant inroads, particularly among smaller establishments, fast-food outlets and businesses operating in the country's North and Northeast regions.
Credit cards continue to remain the most widely used payment method, accounting for 41.5 per cent of transactions. Debit cards follow with a 25.1 per cent share, while Pix ranks third at 20.5 per cent. Cash accounts for 8.3 per cent, followed by meal and food vouchers at 4.6 per cent. Checks, once commonly used for commercial payments in Brazil, now account for less than one per cent.
Pix has increased its share considerably compared with Abrasel's 2024 survey, when it represented 16.5 per cent of in-person sales. Its growth has largely come at the expense of cash payments, whose share has declined.
The adoption of Pix is particularly strong among smaller businesses. Establishments with annual revenues of up to 130,000 Brazilian reais record Pix usage of 30.4 per cent. The figure stands at 22.6 per cent among businesses earning between 130,000 and 360,000 reais annually, and rises to 24 per cent for those in the 360,000-to-1-million-real category.
By establishment type, fast-food outlets lead Pix usage at 24.6 per cent, followed by specialised restaurants at 21 per cent. Bars and nightclubs account for 19.9 per cent, while full-service restaurants record 17 per cent.
Abrasel President Paulo Solmucci said Pix has become an important tool as consumers seek faster and more convenient payments, while businesses look for lower costs and more predictable cash flows.
Regionally, the North leads Pix adoption at 29.8 per cent, followed by the Northeast at 24.2 per cent. Its share stands at 18.1 per cent in the Southeast, 17.9 per cent in the Central-West and 16.5 per cent in the South.
Abrasel said the figures reflect the growing digitalisation of consumption, with Pix also creating opportunities for loyalty programmes, digital ordering and improved efficiency across the sector.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Interesting to see the regional divide in Brazil — North at 29.8% vs South at 16.5%. Same thing happens in India where digital adoption varies between states. But honestly, the real story here is the decline of cash. From 16.5% to 20.5% in one year for Pix means more people are choosing convenience over cash. I remember when demonetisation forced us into digital payments, and now we can't imagine life without UPI. Brazil seems to be making this transition more organically.
As someone who's used both UPI and Pix, I can say Pix is still a bit clunkier. But this growth is impressive. The fact that smaller businesses with revenue up to R$130,000 are adopting it at 30.4% shows how it's democratizing payments. The cost factor is key — merchants save on card fees, and that's a big deal for small bars and restaurants. I just wish the US would catch up with this kind of modern payment infrastructure. We're still handing over plastic and signing receipts.
The comparison with UPI is inevitable but let's not overlook the specifics. Brazil's Pix was launched in 2020 and has grown rapidly, but it still trails credit cards at 41.5%. In India, UPI surpassed card payments long ago. However, the Brazilian model has something interesting — the integration with loyalty programmes and digital ordering. That's where India can still learn. Our UPI ecosystem is transactional, but Brazil seems to be building a more holistic digital consumption experience. Different paths, same direction.
The cash decline is the real news here — from 8.3% share and still falling. In India, we still see cash usage in smaller towns and rural areas, though UPI is changing that fast. But what's concerning is how quickly cash is being phased out in Brazil without a robust discussion about financial inclusion. What about older people or those
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