LANSING – The Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA), in partnership with the National Restaurant Association and First Data Corp. (NYSE: FDC), announce the Michigan launch of the TakeCharge payment program, designed specifically for the restaurant industry.  TakeCharge, developed by restaurateurs, provides increased payment choices and exclusive rates for credit card processing to small and mid-size merchants in addition to national chains.   

 “The Michigan Restaurant Association is committed to providing our members with the programs and services that will help improve their operational efficiencies and increase profitability,” said Rob Gifford, MRA executive director.  “With a strong relationship with the National Restaurant Association, we were able to create a new value proposition with First Data for our members, making this program a first of its kind for us.”  

Gifford continued: “First Data is helping the MRA deliver on their goals by providing strategic payment processing solutions designed specifically for the needs of our collective members through a program created by restaurateurs for restaurateurs.”    

“One of the top priorities for the Michigan Restaurant Association is to create strategic alliances with organizations who can offer the most valuable services and resources for our membership – and this partnership accomplishes that,” said Rob Gifford, MRA executive director.  

 “TakeCharge was created by First Data and the National Restaurant Association and its members to empower restaurateurs with First Data’s complete set of payment solutions,” said Diane Vogt, president of Enterprise Customer Development for First Data.  “With TakeCharge, restaurants get a total payments solution that is customized and designed with the restaurateur in mind.”   

The TakeCharge program can help restaurant owners and operators benefit from the rapid changes in payment processing and the growing consumer demand for electronic payments options.  

In addition to exclusive rates for credit card processing, members will benefit from other advantages of the TakeCharge program, including: easy-to-understand billing; acceptance for all major credit cards provided through First Data’s alliances with various banks; PIN-secured and signature-based debit acceptance through leading networks like the STAR® Network; merchandising programs including First Data Gift Cards; Internet Protocol (IP) based, near instant processing; the Earnings and Rewards Network (EARN) Loyalty Solution; the TeleCheck Electronic Check Acceptance® (ECA®) service; and Dynamic Currency Conversion services.