A Guide to Keeping Your Restaurant Safe and Secure

Now that you’ve opened up the restaurant of your dreams, you’ll want to implement some safety measures in order to protect your property. After all, your restaurant is your means of livelihood. Not only should you be able to feel safe and secure at work, but so should your employees. Security at a restaurant should always be a top priority. You can use different tools and measures in order to prevent theft or respond to any issues quickly. When you have good security protocols in place, you’ll lower the risk of having your property damaged or stolen. Here’s a guide to keeping your restaurant safe and secure.

Use restricted key systems and alarms to keep your restaurant secure.

It’s common for restaurants to have alarm systems in place. Once the restaurant is closed, the alarm allows the owner to be aware of what’s taking place at the property. But another secure system that restaurant owners could utilize is a restricted key system. A locksmith or security group can help with using a restricted key system. These keys can be used in a home, business, or building. The key can only be cut by an authorized owner of the system and through a registered locksmith. That way, there’s better security on who can and can’t enter the establishment. While regular locks are reliable, key duplication can be done by anybody. With a restricted system, special keys provide higher security control. You can reach out to Able Security Group and have one of their qualified technicians assist with this type of lock and key. With their upfront pricing and great customer service, you know you’re in good hands.

Make sure to install audio and video surveillance.

Audio and video surveillance are a standard for pretty much any business nowadays. Security cameras can help you identify thieves, check in after hours, or keep an eye on your restaurant’s assets such as kitchen equipment or safes. If you’re looking for the best restaurant equipment Oakland has to offer, then you’ll want to browse The Restaurant Warehouse. They sell everything chefs need, from large ovens to griddles, freezers, and even prep tables. The website has a huge inventory full of restaurant equipment at competitive prices. If you have security staff, they can also use surveillance cameras to keep an eye on what’s going on all over the restaurant.

Create protocols for employee theft.

While you might like to think that employee theft doesn’t happen very often, a 2018 study revealed that 33 percent of inventory shrinkage was due to employee theft. In fact, 95 percent of businesses have experienced employee theft at one point or another. As a business owner, it’s crucial that you have protocols in place to prevent this from occurring. Some tips you might want to implement include supervising your employees closely, auditing regularly, checking your cameras often, and also getting to know your employees. Employees typically steal through tip raising, voiding transactions, taking home food, or short-ringing. Make sure to communicate your expectations for your employees.

Update passwords to your POS systems and alarms regularly.

Technology is a great investment for any business. It can help you protect your assets and your profits. But technology can be hacked into, and there are bad actors who may take advantage of poor cybersecurity practices. So, it’s important that you change the passwords on your POS systems and alarms more often than not. Make sure not to share the passwords with too many people, and if you can help it, limit the number of people.

These were just a few examples of ways to keep your restaurant safe. Seek out the help of a security professional to ensure that you’re doing what’s best to protect your business!