Mobile and QR-based payments have moved from niche options to everyday habits for millions of shoppers. What began as a convenience feature has become a widespread shift in how people pay, driven by faster checkout times, stronger security features, and the growing expectation that phones should handle more daily tasks.

As major retailers, fuel stations, and restaurants upgrade their systems, cardless payments are becoming routine for in-store purchases — and the trend is accelerating across the U.S. and beyond.

Why Mobile and QR-Based Payments Are Gaining Widespread Adoption?

Consumers and businesses alike are steadily moving away from plastic credit and debit cards toward cardless, digital payment methods. Instead of swiping or inserting a physical card, customers can now pay with their smartphones or by scanning quick-response (QR) codes. This shift is driven by convenience and security, where phone-based payments often speed up checkout and reduce fraud risks. In late 2025, the Utah-based chain rolled out a system that allows drivers to activate gas pumps with a QR code or an app-generated code – no card needed.

In fact, Maverik plans to update all 825+ locations with this “cardless fueling” option for fleet drivers. Maverik has also adopted mobile payment platforms like Piston and Relay and even supports digital fleet apps, showing how far fuel retailers are embracing cardless, contactless transactions.

Across retail and foodservice, QR code scans and mobile wallets are becoming increasingly common. One striking example is Walmart Pay, which lets shoppers use their phones instead of cards. At checkout, a Walmart customer scans a unique QR code on the register with their Walmart app. Large national chains such as Starbucks similarly see huge volumes of app-based transactions – Starbucks reported that by 2023, roughly 31% of U.S. store purchases were paid via its mobile app.

Contactless wallet apps like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay are accepted at the vast majority of merchants, and surveys show most Americans now expect contactless options. One recent industry poll found that over half of U.S. consumers choose a tap-or-scan payment when possible, and roughly 65% of adults had used a digital wallet at least once in mid-2024. These trends mean that even traditional businesses – from grocery stores to stadiums and movie theaters – are adding ways to pay from your phone or by scanning a code on the spot.

Cardless Fueling and Fleet Payments

The fueling and trucking industry is among the most visible early adopters of cardless payments. Many truck stops and convenience stores now let drivers pay by phone or via a fleet app rather than with a card. Maverik’s nationwide rollout with Piston exemplifies this shift. Piston’s platform connects trucks and fuel retailers so drivers can start fueling by showing a QR code or entering an authorization code on the pump.

The QR code is generated by a mobile app linked to a fleet account. Once scanned, the pump dispenses fuel and records a digital receipt. Maverik calls this “one of the largest deployments of cardless fueling in the U.S.”. It eliminates the need for metal fleet cards and lets fleets track spending and prevent fraud in real time.

Maverik didn’t stop with one system. It also offers Relay Payments’ solution at select locations, especially diesel lanes. Relay is another cardless fuel-pay service: drivers use the Relay mobile app to pay for fuel (and even store items or services) without swiping a card. Maverik joined other major operators (such as Pilot and Love’s) in adding Relay. Relay reports processing millions of fuel payments with zero fraud. Love’s Travel Stops announced in 2024 that it now accepts Relay at over 2,200 truck stops, noting that Relay lets drivers avoid credit card skimming at pumps.

These fueling innovations rely on mobile apps and quick-response codes. A driver can open the Maverik or Relay app, which connects to the pump. Piston’s system might display a QR code on the pump’s screen; the driver scans it and confirms the transaction on the phone. The pump then authorizes fuel. Because each code or transaction is dynamically generated for that driver and vehicle, it’s hard for thieves to reuse or duplicate – a built-in security benefit.

Retail and Everyday Purchases Go Cardless

Fuel pumps aren’t the only place going cardless. Retailers and restaurants are adopting similar technology so customers can check out without digging for cash or cards. Many stores now let you pay by scanning a QR code or by tapping your phone’s wallet. Walmart Pay uses a QR code: at any checkout lane, the register displays a code that customers scan with the Walmart app to pay with their stored payment methods.

This lets shoppers “leave cards and cash at home.” Other grocers and retailers have comparable systems (Target, Kohl’s, and others have their own QR-based payment features).

Meanwhile, ubiquitous NFC (tap-to-pay) wallets enable millions of Americans to pay by holding their phones or watches near the terminal. Apple Pay and Google Pay work with nearly all modern credit card readers. Over 90% of U.S. merchants support Apple Pay. A Mastercard-backed survey found that more than half of Americans prefer tapping or scanning a card rather than swiping.

By July 2024, roughly two-thirds of U.S. adults had used a mobile wallet at least once. Retailers themselves are prioritizing these options. Another study shows that 77% of retailers now offer some form of contactless payment, with mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.) accepted at about two-thirds of those retailers. Even 25% of surveyed merchants now accept in-store QR-code payments.

Restaurants and food-service outlets have likewise embraced cardless tech. Many fast-food and coffee chains allow payment via app or QR code at the counter or drive-thru, which speeds up lines. Dynamic QR payments in a coffee chain reduce wait times by 30%.

In sit-down restaurants, QR codes initially used for menus have been extended to payments: customers can open their own payment apps and scan a bill’s QR code to pay, instead of handing over their card. The majority of restaurants now offer contactless payment, and over half are adding tableside payment devices. With these options, a diner may never touch a payment terminal – they confirm payment on their phone.

Across sectors, cardless payments share a common theme: an app or digital wallet serves as a substitute for plastic cards. Rather than handing cash or a card to a cashier, the transaction is completed via code scanning or an NFC tap. Customers can also use store-branded apps (like Starbucks or McDonald’s) to pay in advance for in-store pickup, bypassing checkout entirely. This trend even extends to non-traditional settings: transit apps let riders tap their phones for fares, and some events, such as movie theaters and stadiums, allow mobile-only ticket and concession payments. In all cases, the goal is to make paying fast and seamless.

Mobile Wallets and NFC: Tapping into the Future

Mobile wallets have exploded in popularity, especially among younger consumers. A 2022 study found 2.8 billion people globally were using mobile wallets for payment, with projections rising to nearly 5 billion by 2025. In the U.S., about half of smartphone users (50.1%) will use mobile wallets for everyday purchases this year. The pandemic gave a one-time boost to contactless, data shows U.S. contactless wallet users climbed 29% in 2020 alone, driven by hygiene concerns and store closures. Even after restrictions eased, usage stayed high because consumers found wallets convenient.

Major tech companies and banks are all pushing these services. Apple Pay and Google Wallet (formerly Google Pay) both offer tap-to-pay and QR capabilities. Samsung Pay adds its own tech. There are also app-based wallets like Cash App, Venmo, and PayPal that let phones act like cards. Retailers continue to integrate these. For example, Apple teamed with Nike to let you add gift cards to Wallet, and many grocery and drug stores allow Apple/Google Pay at checkout.

One clear benefit of mobile wallets is security. When you tap to pay with your phone, the terminal doesn’t see your card number. Instead, the payment is tokenized or encrypted. Card numbers are never visible to store employees, and cards never change hands during a tap transaction. Wallets often require biometric unlocking (fingerprint or face) or a PIN on the phone, which adds protection if your device is lost. And for every transaction, banks and card networks monitor for fraud in real time. Mobile wallet users feel these apps are more secure than cash, which can be lost or stolen.

Another upshot of cardless wallets is speed. Without inserting a card or even taking it out, customers can pay with a mere tap or scan. This cuts down queue times. Customers enjoy contactless pay; in a 2022 survey 84% said having contactless options made shopping more pleasant. At busy checkouts – imagine a supermarket or fast-food counter – saving even a few seconds per customer can make a big difference in line length. And for merchants, faster checkouts mean serving more customers per hour and potentially higher sales.

Benefits of Cardless Payments

The shift to cardless payments brings advantages for both consumers and businesses:

• Convenience – Shoppers don’t need to carry multiple cards or cash. They can pay with devices they already have on hand (phones, smartwatches). This is especially handy for people who otherwise misplace their wallet or prefer to travel light. With digital wallets, customers can also store loyalty cards and coupons in one place and instantly apply them during payment.
• Speed and Efficiency – Cardless methods (QR code scans, tap-to-pay) are typically faster than traditional card swipes or cash handling. QR-based checkouts can cut transaction times nearly in half. Faster payments mean shorter lines and quicker service. For merchants, this can boost register throughput and reduce store congestion.
• Hygiene and Safety – Since 2020, the desire to avoid touching shared surfaces has driven interest in contactless payments. Scanning a QR code or tapping a phone involves minimal contact, which customers find reassuring. Many businesses advertise their touchless payment options to offer a safer shopping experience.
• Security and Fraud Protection – As noted, digital payments use tokenization and encryption. Even if a fraudster intercepts a wireless signal, they can’t easily replay it because each transaction generates a one-time token. Wallets also typically lock funds behind the phone’s own security (biometric or passcode), so a thief holding a stolen phone would still face a lock screen. Additionally, because cardless fueling apps verify the driver and vehicle in real time, they can prevent card skimming or misuse (no actual card is swiped at the pump).
• Transparency and Record-Keeping – Every cardless transaction can automatically generate a digital receipt and record in a back-end system. This gives customers a clear transaction history (often available in the app) and helps merchants easily reconcile payments. Fleet managers, for instance, can access detailed logs of fuel use per vehicle via apps, eliminating the need for manual reconciliation of receipts. Retailers likewise enjoy having sales data instantly linked to each transaction, which improves accounting and can even enrich marketing (like personalized promotions based on purchase history).

For merchants, adopting cardless terminals is relatively simple today. Most new point-of-sale (POS) devices accept NFC taps and QR scans. Retailers who were slow to upgrade over the past few years have caught up: industry surveys show that over 90% of small businesses with physical stores can now accept contactless payments.

Even kiosks and vending machines are getting Wi-Fi-connected readers. In short, going “cardless” often means tweaking software and policies on existing hardware, not a massive infrastructure overhaul.

Conclusion: Looking Ahead

Cardless payments are not just a fad; they appear poised to become the norm. By 2025, analysts estimate that roughly 125 million U.S. consumers (over half of smartphone users) will be paying with mobile wallets and QR scans instead of cash or cards. Globally, contactless transactions are booming: one card-network executive noted that in Europe, over 90% of in-person payments are now contactless, and U.S. trends are following suit. Younger generations, who grew up with smartphones, are especially driving adoption. Surveys indicate Gen Z is far more likely to demand tap-to-pay and will abandon a purchase if their preferred digital wallet isn’t accepted.

As more consumers expect these options, businesses that don’t adapt may lose sales. Retailers are already recognizing this: many are experimenting with so-called “SoftPOS” solutions that let even small vendors use their phones as payment terminals. New use cases are emerging – airlines let customers pay in-app via QR code for in-flight purchases, and some parking garages allow entry and payment entirely through a smartphone app.

The long-term benefits are clear. Merchants that embrace cardless payments can offer customers frictionless checkout and gain operational efficiencies. Customers benefit from speed, convenience, and the security of encrypted digital transactions. This mutual payoff explains why companies from gas stations to grocery stores, restaurants to ride-share services, are rolling out more ways to pay without plastic. In the years ahead, the “wallet” on our phones – or even wearables – is likely to handle an ever-growing share of transactions, making the old wallet of cards and cash increasingly optional.

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