Restaurant Security Risks and Solutions

Restaurant Safety & Security Risks

The dining business is very challenging. Restaurant safety doesn’t have to be. 

Employee turnover, equipment failure, and a dozen other factors can make or break the bottom line. On top of the typical issues, a manager also has to deal with restaurant safety and security. A restaurant faces risks from both inside and outside its walls.

Threats to your restaurant safety:

  • Employee Theft
  • Identity Theft
  • Armed Robbery
  • Violence
  • Vandalism
  • Parking Lot Accidents
  • Slips and Falls
  • Obscured Interiors
  • Cooking Fires

 

Employee Theft

Unfortunately for business owners, employee theft is most common. There are many opportunities for a server or bartender to steal from the company. These include skimming the register, voiding or shorting receipts and then keeping the difference, comping friends, over-pouring drinks, and many other types of scams.

 

Identity Theft

The high rate of credit card use in daily transactions means that thieves could gain access to customers’ private information. Theft of credentials results in great damage to the reputation of your business.

 

Armed Robbery

With a large amount of cash on hand, especially in the early morning or late evening hours, a restaurant could be a likely target for armed robbery. Since restaurants often have multiple entrances and exits, it is essential to add security by zones. The goal is to provide open traffic during business hours while maintaining observation. Providing staff with training and tools to react to potentially dangerous situations is also vital for restaurant safety.

 

Violence

An act of violence can be a physical altercation between patrons, or employees. Restaurants serving alcohol or open late are often at risk of threats for violence.

 

Vandalism

Losses may include broken windows, graffiti, and the destruction of signs.

 

Parking Lot Accidents

In an instant parking lot accidents can result in injury to both patrons and employees. With a high volume of automobile traffic, damage to vehicles and buildings may occur at some point.

 

Slips and Falls

The busy environment of a restaurant, with servers, quickly coming and going creates the potential for slips and falls. Spills, greasy floors, a buckled mat or other obstacles can send an employee or customer to the hospital.

 

Obscured Interiors

Blinds or tinted windows help keep customers comfortable. The downside of these items is that they can also create a cover for criminals. They may take these as an invitation to commit a robbery.

 

Cooking Fires

The average restaurant has all the ingredients for a dangerous fire – hot equipment, open flames, natural gas, cooking oil, cleaning products and a large supply of paper products. There are thousands of restaurant fires each year, according to FEMA, the average loss per fire is $23,000, but this number can often be much higher.

Thankfully, very few people die in restaurant fires, but the most damage is done to the business operation. In 43% of restaurant fires, the cost is large enough to force a restaurant to close, at least temporarily if not permanently.

Fire extinguishers and automated fire alarms and suppression systems are a must for every business in order to ensure restaurant safety.

Conclusion

First, security devices such as video cameras and access controls can reduce risk. Panic buttons shorten response times and save lives in the case of a robbery. Security cameras can be useful to identity thieves. A combination of a Point-of-Sale (POS) system with video recording can help prevent the majority of employee theft, saving your business thousands of dollars.

Secondly, even the presence of security signs and related equipment can help act as a deterrent to violence and vandalism. Lastly, creating a smart security plan with an experienced vendor will protect your business for years to come. We understand the needs of fast-food restaurants, and those that deliver have their own set of security challenges. We look at every facet of a dining establishment when making recommendations.

Alarm Detection Systems protects hundreds of restaurants throughout Chicago and Illinois. We want to be your one-stop-shop for affordable alarms. Whether you purchase an alarm system from us or not, we are happy to provide accurate information to protect your business. Serving our local community is important to us. That is why we have been selling business alarms in Chicago for over 50 years.

Alarm Detection Systems has decades of experience protecting businesses.

About Alarm Detection Systems, Inc.

Alarm Detection Systems is one of the largest alarm firms in the country. Family-owned since 1968, we provide business alarms, fire alarms, card access, security cameras, and home security systems. Proudly servicing Chicagoland, Northern Illinois, Northwest Indiana, and Southern Wisconsin in the Midwest. Call us at 630.844.6300 for more information.

In Colorado, we service all of Denver, Boulder County, Northern Colorado, the Eastern Plains, and Colorado Springs. Call us at 1.800.446.7519 for more information.

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ADS’s managed access system portals may experience temporary outages for security updates starting this Friday, August 25th. Please wait and try again at a later time. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Protecting your home and the things that are precious to you is what we do.
Make the switch to alarm detection systems today.
Call us at 630.844.6300

Call us at 800.446.7519

Make the switch to alarm detection systems today. Switch/Activate
Protecting your home and the things that are precious to you is what we do.
Make the switch to alarm detection systems today.