20 April 2023
Atlanta and Sacramento, Calif, (April 20, 2023) – U.S. Bank and Elavon, one of the world’s largest payment processors, will now serve up customized payment solutions to restaurants across California under an agreement with the California Restaurant Association.
Elavon recently signed a contract with the CRA, a statewide trade association representing 22,000 member locations. The new partnership will provide the tools or resources that ensure the Golden State’s restaurant and hospitality industry can better manage operations and receive customer payments safely, quickly and efficiently.
“The California Restaurant Association needed a payments partner that could help add affinity partners, offer additional value and service options, and maintain and grow memberships,” said Jamie Walker, CEO of Elavon, a wholly owned subsidiary of U.S. Bank and one of the largest payments processors globally. “We plan to deliver on those needs through marketing support, state-wide support and our full suite of banking and payment services.”
Newly released research by U.S. Bank and Elavon found that 70% of restaurant-sector respondents say customers’ ability to order and pay quickly influences their choice of restaurant.
“Six in 10 restaurant finance leaders are seeing increased requests from diners to use alternative payment methods such as peer-to-peer (P2P), as well as mobile wallets, and 47% of survey respondents are boosting spending on contactless devices,” Walker said. “Embracing payments transformation through partnerships like this can help restaurant owners reduce operational expenditure, improve cash flow and enhance customer’s dining and takeout experiences.”
Small business owners, like California restaurant owners, can benefit from the full suite of U.S. Bank banking and payments solutions including capabilities such as menu, order and employee management, invoicing, banking services, and the ability to view sales data in real-time – all from an easy-to-use dashboard that’s accessible anywhere, anytime.
The partnership agreement comes on the heels of U.S. Bank ’s recent acquisition of MUFG Union Bank, further strengthening U.S. Bank and Elavon’s presence and service offerings in California.
“Our members are always looking for partners who can provide high value and excellent service,” said CRA Chief Operating Officer, Mike Doerr. “We believe our Association partnership with Elavon will provide that, and Elavon’s service is offered at an attractive price point to CRA members.”
The California Restaurant Association provides ultimate access to the resources and support that neighborhood restaurants need to lead thriving businesses while serving as conscientious, contributing members of an unparalleled industry. California is home to eating and drinking places that ring up more than $72 billion in sales and employ more than 1.4 million workers, making restaurants an indisputable driving force in the state’s economy.
U.S. Bancorp, with approximately 70,000 employees and $692 billion in assets as of December 31, 2025, is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company serves millions of customers locally, nationally and globally through a diversified mix of businesses including consumer banking, business banking, commercial banking, institutional banking, payments and wealth management. U.S. Bancorp has been recognized for its approach to digital innovation, community partnerships and customer service, including being named one of Fortune’s most admired superregional banks. Learn more at usbank.com/about.
Elavon is wholly owned by U.S. Bank (NYSE: USB), the fifth-largest bank in the United States, and provides end-to-end payment processing solutions and services to more than 2 million customers in the United States, Europe, and Canada. As the leading provider for airlines and a top five provider in hospitality, healthcare, retail, and public sector/education, Elavon’s innovative payment solutions are designed to solve pain points for businesses from small to the largest global enterprises.
Joe Rauch, Communications Manager | Global Head of Communications for Merchant Acquiring | Public Affairs and Communications