How to improve restaurant security without hiring security guards

How to Improve Restaurant Security Without Hiring Security Guards

August 31, 2022 by

Owning a business can be stressful, but there is something about a restaurant that can seem even more daunting.

There are so many areas that can potentially be at risk that it can feel like protecting your staff, customers, and business as a whole is just overwhelming.

For example, hiring a guard or two can seem like an option, but who’s watching the guard? And can you afford the extra expense?

However, there are things you can do to reduce that stress, take care of the risk, and look after everything else without it being too expensive and frustrating.

For instance, taking just a few minutes out of your day to walk around the restaurant when it’s closed will help you identify areas that could be a potential risk.

In this article, we’ll look at several ways to secure your restaurant, staff, and customers without having to employ security guards.

It’s All About the Lighting

Mood lighting is fantastic. It sets up the right atmosphere for a romantic date, a proposal perhaps, or even a business meeting by putting people at ease.

When it comes to protecting your business, you want to ensure potential threats are as uneasy as possible.

The kitchen is one of the most well-lit in an average restaurant. However, the hallways leading to the dining room, staff washrooms, break area, and even outside to the dumpsters or parking lots need to be just as bright.

Ensuring adequate lighting in all areas makes it easier for your staff to spot someone going to the cash register while no one is there for a moment. Or, you can see someone trying to break into a car in the parking lot or the manager’s office.

Floodlights in the outside areas can be connected to motion detectors in order to save money. The same can be done for hallways that are used less often.

High-traffic areas in the dining room and bar could have brighter bulbs in key places (like behind the bar), and this shouldn’t interfere with the mood lighting too much in the main dining area.

Keep Your Safe in a Safe Place

Try not to keep too much cash on site. Making regular trips to the bank with another person not only ensures your safety but that of your profits as well.

However, a secure safe in an undisclosed place is your best option until you can get to the bank. Make sure that few people know about its whereabouts and the combination (or location of the key).

Promote using debit or credit as much as possible. There are safeguards in place to prevent fraud, and many debit machines used in businesses today are directly linked to your business account.

This means that the money is deposited quickly, so there is no waiting and less risk of theft.

Maintain a Manicured Lawn

Keeping the outside of your property looking immaculate says a lot to potential criminals. It tells them that this business is well-maintained and that there is staff present.

Aside from making the restaurant look nice and inviting to customers, it is a useful deterrent. Still, there are other things you can do aside from keeping planters watered and the grass cut.

Installing steel bars in exposed areas that are out of sight of high traffic helps to give extra security to windows and doors that cameras might not see.

As well, bulletproof glass for things like the windows in a drive-thru area of your restaurant offers more protection for your staff from unpredictable events.

Overall, when a place looks presentable and therefore lively, it reduces the risk of someone trying to break in and steal from you.

There Is Safety in Numbers

The more people present, the less likely your restaurant will be targeted. Therefore, do not close or open the business alone.

Even having just one other person with you ensures your safety and also reduces the risk of being accused if a problem arises.

Make sure that there is someone with you when accepting deliveries or making a run to the bank. As well, make sure that the staff left behind are not alone and that there are at least two people on the premises at all times (though more is better).

In the event that a person needs to be left alone, have a system in place where someone reaches out by phone every 10 to 15 minutes until someone else can get to the restaurant.

Business Security Systems: Extra Eyes

Your restaurant is your life. So, why wouldn’t you have a security system in place to help protect it?

Business security systems are not just cameras in key places. They include door locks, motion detectors, smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide detectors.

Remote access and apps on your phone also give you extra control when you can’t be there. With access control panels, staff must use a personalized access code. This way, you can see who enters, leaves, and when.

Silent and loud alarms (depending on the situation) will deter criminals. The alarms, linked directly to a monitoring station, can ensure that emergency services get there quicker in the event of a crisis.

Wi-Fi based Alarm.com security cameras provide extra coverage and transfer data off-site over the cloud for extra security. This way, you can see and record what happens for use as evidence later if required.

Concluding Thoughts

There are many ways to deter would-be criminals from targeting your restaurant that don’t include hiring extra staff.

You can keep your costs down and increase security with a few simple steps. These include keeping the outside spaces looking neat and tidy, brightening up the lighting inside, as well as installing a security system tailored to your needs and budget.

When you are ready to increase your security, reach out to Canadian Security Professionals.

We can set you up with a specialist who will talk you through your security needs. Call us at 1 (877) 494-9911 or click here to speak to a specialist today!

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