Some local downtown businesses have made the shift to accepting credit and debit cards as a form of payment, while others are staying cash only because of the cost.

Kevin Schroeder, general manager of Jimmy John's, 220 W. College Ave., said the eatery recently made the shift to accepting credit and debit.

Schroeder said implementing a debit and credit system has made an impact on business.

"It was a big convenience for both us and the customers," he said. "We get a lot of faculty in here, and they use it, plus it helps with our catering."

Fast-food chain Wendy's has made the switch to accepting credit at some of its locations and might make the switch at the chain's downtown location.

John Krouse, general manager of Wendy's, 226 W. College Ave., said the fast-food chain would likely start accepting credit card transactions before the end of the year.

"I can't guarantee it, but I heard that we will start accepting credit here in the next year," Krouse said. "If we go with credit, I'm sure we will go with debit."

Ginny McAdoo, vice president of Nittany Bank, 116 E. College Ave., said she thinks the trend of replacing cash only with accepting credit or debit cards will continue unless there is legislation that would change the ability to use them or if interest rates are raised considerably.

McAdoo said businesses typically have to purchase or lease credit equipment on a monthly basis and then pay a percentage of each sale back to the company. The percentages are based on the types of sales and amounts of each transaction.

"The credit card companies look at the average cost of sales for most restaurants," she said. "Restaurants with higher averages on individual sales will be able to give more of a percentage back."

McAdoo said some restaurants and stores charge 25 to 40 cents on every purchase when a customer has to give a personal identification number (PIN) to complete a transaction.

Matt Stein, manager of Pizza Roma, 111 Sowers St., said that since opening last fall, he has noticed students use cash more often than credit or debit cards. "Students, though, still prefer debit cards over credit," Stein said. "Debit is more popular."

Stein said the restaurant incurs about 15 cents per debit use. He said the restaurant accepts VISA and Mastercard, because their service rates are much lower than American Express.

"It can get pricey though," he said.

Students vary on the forms of payment they prefer. Becca Anderson (senior-public relations) said she uses her debit card for everything. "I never have to worry about carrying cash, because I always know I can use my debit card," she said. "I could definitely see if all the fast-food restaurants downtown used it, how much it would help the students."

Carly Koval (sophomore-petroleum and natural gas engineering) uses her debit card to withdrawal money, not to use for personal purchases. "I usually always have cash on me," she said. "So if all the restaurants downtown used credit, it really wouldn't matter to me."

Fan Ding (freshman-business administration) said she usually uses her credit card for larger purchases.

"I just wish some of the places downtown would have that option, just in case I didn't have cash on me at the time," Ding said.

Cassandra Lopez, owner of C.C. Peppers, North Atherton Place, said her restaurant has always been a cash-only establishment.

She said quite a few patrons complain that they are not able to use plastic to pay for food, but it is more of a cost issue for the restaurant.

"If we allowed credit, we would have to pay so much," she said. "Especially right now, it is really a cost thing with the income being really low and not a lot of people coming in."