MasterCard has partnered with restaurant brands ASK Italian and Zizzi (both part of the Azzurri Group) along with Carluccio's to expand its Qkr! mobile payment solution and provide customers with a more convenient, speedier and fuss-free way to pay for their meals.

The app was launched earlier this year in partnership with Wagamama, and has seen considerable success since. In fact, several features are to be added to the app, enabling diners at Wagamama to browse the menu and even order extra food or drinks straight to their table without the need to attract waitstaff's attention.

The Qkr! app was developed by MasterCard Labs, the company's research division, and makes use of the firm's MasterPass technology. It enables customers to control how and when they pay during a meal, including splitting the bill among friends and paying at any point during the meal.

"With ASK Italian, Zizzi and Carluccio's all soon to be offering Qkr! with MasterPass, their customers will have greater convenience, simplicity and security when paying their bills," said Scott Abrahams, group head of acceptance and emerging payments at MasterCard UK & Ireland. "We are confident that their customers and the restaurants themselves will mirror Wagamama's experience, where both parties really benefit.

"Customers can enjoy their meal in the time they have and pay when ready, and restaurants can turn tables around more quickly and serve more customers."

The app will be rolled out to ASK Italian, Zizzi and Carluccio's by the end of 2015. Qkr! was among the restaurant mobile payment schemes our online editor Alex Spencer tried out recently – you can read his verdict here.