is it possible that the business:
1) is broke opening too many food courts (buying coffeeshops is not cheap have to pay $ Millions). needs cash desperately upfront. thinks of this idea.
2) has serious cash control problem (staff pocketing some of the revenue)
3) thinks of this idea to bolster a depressed "presence" and so as to get cheapskate (free) publicity when the media reports on it.
Only the Govt can get away with requiring public to pay upfront (cash card in your ERP device). Because the Govt makes the rules.
I think any private business that depends on public good will and continued patronage and who tries this stunt is committing commercial suicide.