The holidays are the most lucrative and busiest period of the year to a restaurant. Tables remain occupied, office parties reserve large rooms and the bar remains busy. However, the nights when there is more cash, more drinking and more opportunity to get in trouble. This is the reason why intelligent restaurant security planning must begin way back in time before December goes wild. This guide presents easy tricks on how to secure your staff, cash as well as your guests. And we have served numerous shifts in restaurants in LA and these tips are not imaginary.
Why the Holidays Bring More Risk for Restaurants
The crowds of people during holidays are larger, noisier, and tend to be more impatient than normal weekend diners. More alcohol and longer nights too are a result of office parties and family dinners. Cash accumulates rapidly in registers, tip jars and safes in the back office. Employees work in the future and most of them walk to dark parking lots after work. Restaurant security is usually left to chance since there is no plan in place in the busiest weeks. In other words, the larger the number of people, the larger the number of drinks, and the larger the amount of cash, the greater the risk.
Protecting Your Staff
The most valuable asset to you is your team, and that is where you should begin planning.
Handle Rude and Drunk Guests Early
Night shifts are characterized by impatience and waits are blamed on the servers. Train personnel on how to remain composed, not to argue, and call a manager. In addition, avoid serving drunken guests who are obviously drunk. Responsible Beverage Service certification is required of California servers, and it is the skill taught.
Stop Harassment of Your Team
In some cases, holiday parties have guests that harass front hosts, bartenders, or servers. Ensure it is clear that the managers will have staff up, each and every time. In addition, an attendant can subtly intervene, requesting troublesome guests to go.
Follow California’s Workplace Violence Rules
SB 553 requires written plans of workplace violence prevention by the California employers including restaurants. Threats, angry guests, robberies, and the way staff assists you should be included in your plan. Then educate all about it before the holiday season hits and not in the middle of it.
Keep Late Shifts Safe
Closing staff are the most vulnerable, particularly when they are left alone with money. Always have someone with you and lock doors before counting money. Also, walk together with your staff to their cars, or have a guard escort them.
Protecting Your Cash
Holiday money is an attractant of thieves, both outside and inside.
Keep Registers Low
Transfer a minimum of three times the amount of cash out of registers into a drop safe per shift. The amount of cash available is less, and it will have less to lose in case someone attempts a robbery.
Change Up Bank Deposit Times
Predators follow a routine, such as the same manager taking a walk to the bank every day. Change the time, pathways, and individuals, and never tote blatant bank bags. In the case of large deposits, an armored car service or a guard escort should be considered.
Watch for Inside Theft
It is all too bad some of the losses are internal, by voided checks or stolen stocks. Register over cameras and frequent cash counts are used to detect issues at an early and unbiased stage.
Stop Card Skimming
Check card readers tend to be skimmers, and store handheld devices with trusted employees. Pay-at-table systems are also useful, as the cards are not left in the view of the guest at any time.
Light and Watch the Parking Lot
A lot of issues occur outside where visitors stroll to vehicles after a couple of drinks. Fortunately, there is adequate light, cameras and a guard on the move to deter car break-ins.
Help Guests Get Home Safely
Volunteer to take rideshares with too-drunken guests. It is friendly, it shields them and it shields your restaurant as well out of liability.
Handling Dine-and-Dash Customers
Leaving without payment is a California law crime called defrauding an innkeeper. Nevertheless, no one should risk being hurt to go after a customer in the street. Record a description, check cameras and get it to the police. Many walkouts are also avoided by pre-authorizing cards to large groups and private parties.
Planning Security for Private Holiday Parties
Business is good when it is a private party, although a little more planning is required. Get a guest count, negotiate bar rules and establish an end time. In large parties, the door guard prevents uninvited guests from roam in. In addition, it is important to keep in mind that alcohol sales in California are prohibited between 2 to 6 a.m.
A Busy Saturday in December
Imagine a crowded, Saturday, December day at a crowded Italian restaurant, Pasadena. There is a guard at the door welcoming the guests and maintaining the waiting line. At around nine, a loud party attendee begins harassing a server at an office party. The guard intervenes and minutes later the guest is gone in a rideshare. At closing, the guard walks the manager and two servers to their cars. No one recollects the guard the next day and, frankly, that is the point.
When Should a Restaurant Hire a Security Guard?
A guard is not needed by all restaurants, however, many restaurants find it beneficial during the holiday season. These are indicators that security in restaurants is a good idea this year.
- You work a hectic bar, with late-hours, or book lots of holiday parties.
- and employees have had to encounter drunk, violent, or harassing customers at least once.
- Your parking lot is black, big or has been broken into in the recent past.
- Your area has been robbed by nearby businesses, or crime in your area continues to increase.
- Lastly, you deal with a lot of cash, particularly towards the end of the night.
A guard is worth considering in case you have two or more that fit your restaurant.
What a Restaurant Guard Can and Can’t Do
The guards are able to monitor the door, deny access, and request disturbances to exit. Reasonable force can be used in case the person does not leave and appears aggressive. Nevertheless, guards are not police and hence must never punch, chase or punish anybody. The most effective guards speak, remain calm and call the police when situations get out of control.
How Much Does a Restaurant Guard Cost?
A good restaurant security does not need to be expensive provided you are smart. Price will be based on hours, location, level of risk, the need of armed guards. Indeed, for instance, LA guards have an average salary of approximately 20.55 an hour. Security firms offer higher prices than that to accommodate taxes, insurance, training, and supervisors. The guard is usually paid 1.5 to 2 times less than the bills. Nevertheless, a lot of restaurants can save money and hire booking guards every weekend and night on holidays.
Common Holiday Mistakes Restaurants Make
Even excellent restaurants commit a few typical safety errors at the time of the holiday rush. The greatest risk that we can identify is letting an individual alone with cash. The other error is to serve large parties since no one wants to ruin a table. Not all the owners take care of the parking area, although most accidents take place in front of it. Staff are instructed by others to pursue dine-and-dash customers, and this may result in severe injuries. Lastly, wait too late to keep a book guard and find them all booked.
Why LA Restaurants Trust Sharp Guard Group
Sharp Guard Group offers licensed and friendly security guards to restaurants throughout Los Angeles. Our officers understand how to ensure the safety of guests without spoiling the atmosphere at dinner. We also have door hosts, parking patrols, closing escorts and private event cover. The security guards of our restaurant have been trained on the use of de-escalation, thus ensuring that problems remain small. We base all plans around your space, your hours, your guests, and budget. And reports are given to managers at the end of each shift so nothing is missed.
FAQs
Do restaurants really need security guards?
Not every time, but a busy bar, late hours, and large parties demand one. Weekends might be covered on a part-time basis but this can make a huge difference especially during the holidays.
Is it possible to deny intoxicated customers service in a restaurant?
Yes, and California waiters must cease to serve any one who is evidently drunk. Besides, a guard can assist, escorting that guest to a ride.
What is the reaction of staff in case of a robbery?
Remain calm, do as the robber asks and never fight or run anyone. Next, call 911 immediately and note down all that you recall.
Is it a crime to dine and dash in California?
Yes; in California it is a crime to walk out without paying, defrauding an innkeeper. Nevertheless, turn it in to the police rather than run after customers in the street.
What can restaurants do to safeguard bank deposits?
Switch deposit time and routes frequently, and always avoid having cash in blatant bags. With large quantities, an armored car is to be used, or a guard requested.
Are restaurant guards supposed to wear uniforms?
Numerous exquisite restaurants tend to have guards who wear suits and are more inviting. Nevertheless, uniforms are popular in busy bars, as they drive away trouble quicker.
Final Thoughts
Your holidays are not supposed to be your worst season, but your best. First protect your employees, maintain low cash, and assist the guests in getting home safely. Then have a guard on your busiest nights to take the rest in peace. Sharp Guard Group is able to provide friendly, reliable restaurant security services in Los Angeles. We will make your team have a profitable, safe and good holiday season.
Get Your Holiday Insurance Now.
Today, you should call Sharp Guard Group to discuss with our team how to cover your vacation. Or ask us to give you a free quote and we will create a plan that fits.
