Dining payments startup Dash raises $1.2M to expand in N.Y. & launch in Chicago

Tired of waiting for the check when dining out? Dash just raised $1.2 million to make that a thing of the past.

Now two years old with a total of $1.9 million in funding, Dash’s app enables you to pay your bar or restaurant tab via your smartphone — without having to flag down a server or hand over a credit card.

Alongside the fresh capital, the New York City-based Dash is launching a redesigned app for iOS 7, including a new payments flow and iBeacon integration. Rounding out the news, Dash cofounder Jeff McGregor tells VentureBeat that his company is eyeing new markets, starting with Chicago.

Dash plays an interesting role in the hospitality industry. The startup offers convenience, not necessity, and it is currently battling with numerous competitors, such as MyCheck, Tabbedout, Cover, and OpenTable.

It’s noteworthy, however, that Dash is looking to solve a real frustration for some. The quality of service at a restaurant can be just as important as the food itself, and Dash wants to eliminate that awkward feeling of waiting 15 minutes (or longer) for the check.

Close-lipped on its expansion plans, Dash is currently available in 15 restaurants in New York, with an additional 60 merchants lined up.