A method for dynamic adaptation of card reader protocol includes: providing a point-of sale (POS) terminal, that accepts login credentials via a magnetic stripe card, displays menu items for selection, adds selected menu items to an order, and accepts payment for the order, where the payment may be obtained via swipe, dip, or tap; via a card reader, reading provided cards when enabled; via a reader controller, determining one or more workflow states of the POS terminal, and controlling states and modes of the card reader; determining a type and capabilities of the card reader upon power up; and receiving instructions indicating the type and the capabilities, and communicating with the card reader according to the type and the capabilities responsive to a common set of commands employed by the POS terminal, and formatting data received from the card reader into a common data format.