Food and meal voucher acceptance in Brazilian snack bars

In Brazil, there is a functional distinction between 'vale-refeição' (meal vouchers) and 'vale-alimentação' (food vouchers). Meal vouchers are typically intended for prepared meals at restaurants and snack bars, while food vouchers are primarily designed for purchasing groceries at supermarkets.

Because of this distinction, most snack bars and fast-food chains are credentialed to accept meal vouchers rather than food vouchers. Major chains such as McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway, and Habib’s generally accept meal vouchers through providers like Alelo, Sodexo, Ticket, and VR. However, acceptance of food vouchers at these locations is not guaranteed and often depends on specific individual franchise credentials.

Consumers are advised to check with establishments directly or use their card issuer's application to confirm acceptance before ordering. Changes in regulations expected in 2026 may introduce greater flexibility and interoperability between these payment systems.