Daily deals firm Groupon is increasing its involvement in the payments market with the launch of an iPad-based point-of-sale system designed for restaurants, bars and cafes. The system, which is called Breadcrumb, is now available nationally in the US, following a trial in New York.

The system is made up of Groupon’s own app, as well as a credit card reader, cash drawer, printer, router, wireless access as well as the Apple device and a stand for it. Prices start at US$99 per month for an outlet using a single iPad, although this price does not include hardware. Groupon has built this launch on its acquisition of start-up Breadcrumb in May this year.

The move also reflects Groupon’s eagerness to establish a presence in the payments market. This announcement comes several weeks after it launched a service called Groupon Payments that enables merchants to accept payments by swiping a debit or credit card through a reader attached to an iPhone or iPod touch. As well as being an iPad-focused product, Breadcumb is different from Groupon’s previous announcement because it is targeted at the hospitality sector rather than merchants in general.