Restaurants test appetite for JAM-DEX
Published:Friday | January 9, 2026 | 12:06 AMLuke Douglas/Senior Business Reporter
The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) is intensifying efforts to boost use of its digital currency, JAM-DEX, with restaurants reporting mixed but promising results from promotional campaigns.
Restaurant chains, such as Chicken & Tings, said it had seen sales rise by 10 to 15 per cent on days when JAM-DEX discounts are offered, suggesting that incentives can nudge customers towards cashless payments.
Managing Director Emelio Madden said the public’s response to “2 for 1 Wednesdays” had been encouraging. Customers spending up to $2,000 with JAM-DEX receive a free meal of equal or lesser value. “Since launching the deal in September, JAM-DEX transactions have increased steadily, contributing to an estimated uplift in sales. Customers appear driven by both the savings and the convenience,” he said.
At Usain Bolt’s Track and Records in St Andrew, manager Christina Buckle said the restaurant joined the BOJ’s pilot programme last November. On Tuesdays, patrons paying with JAM-DEX receive a second meal free. She described the response as positive, though still in its early stages. “I would say we are in an education phase where people are learning about JAM-DEX rather than making payments, but so far they are fairly adaptable to it,” she said. “I cannot specifically say if we have had an increase in business because we have other features going on at the same time. But there are persons who come in specifically for the special and the free meal.”
JAM-DEX, Jamaica’s central bank digital currency, was introduced in 2021 and rolled out in phases from 2022. Yet adoption has been slow.
Governor Richard Byles warned last month that the country’s reliance on cash was unsustainable, citing Hurricane Melissa’s disruption of the ATM network. “Jamaica lives on cash too much… It’s bad now, but I can tell you next year, this time is going to be even worse unless we get off of this diet of cash. And the way to do it is through JAM-DEX,” he said at the BOJ’s quarterly press conference.
The governor pledged to press banks to convert point-of-sale machines to accept JAM-DEX, while deputy governor Natalie Haynes said two new wallet operators were expected to launch in early 2026.
According to the Planning Institute of Jamaica, there were 282,274 registered wallet users and 4,417 merchants on the Lynk platform by the end of 2024. Of $276 million minted JAM-DEX, $258.5 million was in circulation.
Madden said promotions had boosted customer interest and repeat visits, with the deal offered to the first 50 customers at three Kingston branches.
From a business perspective, Madden sees gradual progress. “Adoption is not yet universal, but awareness and usage are definitely growing. Customers are becoming more comfortable with the platform, especially when there is a clear incentive attached. Promotions like this help bridge the gap between curiosity and regular usage,” he said.