KFC Store in Australia Goes Cashless

A person walks past a KFC outlet in Melbourne, Australia, on July 15, 2020. William West/AFP via Getty Images

A KFC outlet in Australia has gone completely cashless, sparking outrage online.

A sign out the front of the store in New South Wales (NSW) informs customers it will not be accepting cash payments.

“This restaurant is cashless. We accept card only. Thank you,” the sign out the front of the store reads.

A sign out the front of a KFC store in Morisset, NSW. Facebook/Evan Burrell

Customer Evan Burrell spotted the sign last Wednesday in Morisset, in the Lake Macquarie region of NSW.

In a post on social media, he expressed concern that all shops may stop accepting cash in the future.

“I thought this wouldn’t be allowed and cash would be accepted everywhere,” he posted on Facebook.

“How long do you think it will be before all shops and everything in between stop cash transactions.”.

Mr. Burrell told The Epoch Times he is concerned for the elderly and people with a disability like blindness. He said he has seen this cashless trend in “three other Central Coast stores.”

“I think all payments should still be available, not everyone uses it or is comfortable with card payments or ’tap and go,'” he said.

“I can understand why some wouldn’t go cashless but KFC is a large chain and obviously the franchisee doesn’t want to deal with cash transactions.”

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) states on its website that businesses do not have to accept cash.

“Business can choose which payment types they accept. It is legal for a business not to accept cash,” the ACCC states. 

“Businesses should be clear about the types of payments they accept and the total price payable.”

The Epoch Times has contacted KFC in Australia for comment.

Criticism Online From Customers

Mr Burrell’s post on social media, shared on the Facebook page of Old Shops Australia with over 250,000 followers has attracted interest.

One user said, “They wouldn’t be getting my business. Cash is legal tender, if they don’t want it, I'll shop elsewhere.”

Another customer expressed concern about greater government intervention and the ability of authorities to track individual transactions.

“Once it is cashless the government will then monitor every cent you earn. You will need an EFTPOS machine to sell stuff at your own garage sale or at a fete/boot sale ...”

Cashless Trend

The move by KFC comes amid a push by the banks in Australia towards digital-only payments.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has recently tripled its fee for business owners depositing cash into accounts.

Business transaction account holders with the bank will now have to pay a $10 fee to deposit a quick cash bag, up from $3.

Meanwhile, Macquarie Bank will cease to accept cash, cheque, and phone payments from next year.

“Between January and November 2024, we’ll be phasing out our cash and cheque services across all our banking and wealth management products, including super and pension accounts,” Australia’s fifth largest bank said last week.