About the Third Coast.

Our Mission

To make accepting payment simple and easy for our customers. We do that by marrying personalized service with the most flexible technology platform available today.

The result is hundreds of merchants who can concentrate on running their businesses without having to worry about payment processing.

We provide payment solutions at lower rates, multiple point of sale options, and superior customer service 24/7

About Us

Third Coast Merchant Services, Inc. is a complete payments broker and is a trusted source by hundreds of businesses for credit card processing, ATM’s, advanced point of sale systems, business loans, ecommerce, check conversion, gift cards, loyalty cards, and the very popular cash discount program, which helps merchants eliminate up to 100% of their processing fees.

The merchant service industry is constantly evolving, and we at Third Coast Merchant Services pride ourselves in being one of the front runners in offering the latest and most secure technology to our customers. We provide multiple processing platform options for a variety of industries.

We have partnered with the top credit card processors in the U.S. with several direct agreements. With these partnerships we can offer your business processing rates that will save your business money.

We at Third Coast Merchant Services, Inc. provide additional services that include installation of terminals, point of sale hardware, and ethernet cable runs. We also furnish PCI compliance assistance and direction that may include but not limited to SAQ testing, and PCI equipment scans.

Our business philosophy first and foremost is customer service. We have built our reputation on it. This includes a commitment to our customers to ensure we are able to meet their business’ needs every single day. We are available 24 hours a day for your technical, billing and any nontraditional questions, from banking to hardware. Our intention is to be available to answer your questions, fix your problems, and provide you the help when you most need it.

Who We Are

Jeff Fuhrman
President / Principal

Prior to starting Third Coast Merchant Services, Inc., Jeff had 30 years of high achievement in the advertising and broadcast industry which includes serving as a Talk Radio Network General Manager (Michigan Talk & News Network), and President of Fuhrman & Associates, Inc. /dba Third Coast Media, an advertising and marketing firm. Jeff has implemented statewide and national advertising campaigns with Fortune 500 companies and professional sports teams, while incorporating his extensive skill set of sales, budget creation & administration, design, media planning, marketing, human resources and sales training.

Jeff’s other business ventures have included partnerships in a sign shop, a third party logistic company, as well as a brewpub & restaurant. With Jeff’s vast business and marketing experience, he understands the issues that businesses face on a daily basis. He also understands what’s important for a business to succeed.

Youth and high school football coaching as well as serving as a member of the Big 10 Conference Football Chain Crew also mark part of Jeff’s extensive experiences and abilities.

Hank Burch
Vice President / Principal

Hank’s 22 years in broadcast media included selling radio advertising in the Detroit market (WJR, WHYT) before expanding into television with CBS and NBC affiliates throughout Michigan. He then launched and managed the highly successful “Michigan Talk Radio Network” overseeing all logistics from set up to sales duties.

Hank shared his extensive sales training experience with several broadcast companies and other firms on a contract basis before delving into the payments industry in 2010 with Fifth Third Processing Solutions/Vantiv. After seven years of studying, developing and learning this industry, he opened Third Coast Merchant Services, Inc. with his childhood friend/current business partner Jeff Fuhrman.

Hank has also managed to give back to his community on a variety of fronts including coaching high school baseball for 17 years, coaching youth football and working as a wrestling official for the MHSAA (Michigan High school Athletic Association). He has served the public supporting charities in the Traverse City (MI) area, such as Child & Family Services, and sitting on the board for the American Legion Traverse City Post Baseball program.

Industries We Serve

Third Coast Merchant Services helps businesses of every size with payment processing products and services to meet every credit card processing need. Our comprehensive offerings serve all — from a startup business requiring secure payment solutions to an e-commerce retailer looking to streamline the checkout process on its website or a B2B client looking for detailed customized reporting. We also offer in-store or on-the-go payment processing with our mobile solutions.

Hotels / Hospitality

Restaurants & Quick Service

Auto Dealer Parts & Service

Retailers & Store Fronts

Gas Stations / Convenience Stores

E-Commerce / Internet Shops

Doctor, Dentist, Optometrists Offices

Home Service / Professional Trade

What they are saying about Third Coast.

“We wanted to offer a cash discount program where our customers would offset some of our credit card fees. Jeff and Hank came in and set up the program and then took it one step further. They ran Cat 6 ethernet cable throughout both of our bars so our credit card terminals would run faster. None of our previous providers would have done that. These guys go above and beyond. They get it done!”

Scott | Bootleggers Bar, Dillinger’s Pub
“We were Third Coast’s first customer. I knew Hank for a while so I took a chance on him and his new business. It payed off. Third Coast has kept our rates steady for three years now and they have been there whenever we needed them. We now have 4 hotels, a retail store, and an automotive dealership that are using their services. They continue to earn our business and we wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Rob | Superior Hospitality
“When I bought my restaurant, I had no Idea how to setup my POS system correctly. Third Coast came and configured it for me for free. Now whenever I need anything credit card related these guys are always available. I will not use any other company. They’re Awesome!”

Dennis | Lockview Restaurant
“It took a year for us to work through our previous processor’s contracts, but once resolved, Third Coast came in and setup three of our hotels. Whenever we are need of service or have questions, they answer the call directly and they take care of the problem immediately. Their processing rates are great too!”

Kelly | Sweet Onion, Inc.
“Our credit card terminals would keep showing a communication error and wouldn’t process. I thought the terminals were at fault. Third Coast came in and found that our internet connection kept dropping because of where our modem and router were located. They told me they would fix the problem. The next day they came in and ran all new high speed internet cable throughout the restaurant. They installed a brand new Ethernet switch, hooked each credit card terminal to the switch and then the switch back to the router. They could have easily told me to call my internet service provider to fix the problem, but they handled it themselves. Now that’s service!”

David | M-55 Pour House