Merchant Link Teams with Panasonic to Provide Quick Service Restaurants Secure Payment Gateway Solutions

SILVER SPRING, Md., July 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Merchant Link, a leading provider of secure enterprise payment solutions, and Panasonic, leading supplier of comprehensive, full service solutions for the hospitality industry, today announced agreements with 17 national quick service restaurant franchisees to help expand their business by implementing the industry's most secure payment gateway solution.

The agreements cover Merchant Link's siteNET product, which provides these restaurants with one connectivity point to the American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa payment card networks to process credit card, debit card and prepaid/gift card transactions. Panasonic has been working with Merchant Link for the past year to provide its customers with integrated payment card functionality and a broad payment gateway solution.

"Consumers visiting these restaurants are looking for a meal that's delivered fast, so they can enjoy it quicker and get on with life's adventures," said Doyle Ledford, director, information systems, Panasonic. "With the enhanced payment choices provided through the joint Merchant Link- Panasonic service, these franchisees are better equipped to deliver against what their customers desire."

The initial rollout with the 17 franchisees, representing nearly 40 restaurants, is currently in progress. Additional agreements with other franchisees and national chains are expected to be announced over the coming months.

"The restaurants also benefit because payment card transactions are faster than cash, allowing them to serve more customers in less time, while reducing the risks associated with handling cash payments," said Christopher Justice, president, Merchant Link. "We look forward to solidifying our relationship with these franchisees and to continuing to provide them and others in their network a competitive advantage."

About Merchant Link, LLC

Merchant Link provides comprehensive, secure solutions to the integrated point-of-sale industry, including high-end technical support and data transport services. Merchant Link currently supports more than 100,000 hotels, restaurants, ballparks, and other venues, and maintains connectivity to the major US payment card processors. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Silver Spring, Md., Merchant Link handles more than billion transactions annually. Merchant Link has clients in all 50 states, Antarctica, Canada, Bermuda, South Korea and Japan.

About Panasonic System Solutions Company

Panasonic System Solutions Company, Unit of Panasonic Corporation of North America, is a leading supplier of point of sale systems technology. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Panasonic has an established reputation as an innovator and supplier of reliable systems for quick-service and high volume restaurant applications. Panasonic also applies its renowned reputation in audio systems to provide the hospitality industry with the latest innovations in wireless communication systems. Based in Secaucus, NJ, Panasonic Corporation of North America is the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE: MC) of Japan, and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Information about Panasonic and its products is available at http://www.panasonic.com/. Additional company information for journalists is available at http://www.panasonic.com/pressroom.