Most restaurateurs and bar owners in western Canada know that theft is a huge problem within the hospitality industry. However, when they think of theft they often picture the classic stereotype of a burglar breaking through their window and making off with their expensive bar inventory.

This isn’t the only threat of theft to your bar or restaurant. In fact, it’s likely that theft is occurring within your own establishment.

A few days ago, Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer set ‘mid-May’ as the target date for restaurants, cafes and pubs to reopen. There will be strict rules for social distancing, hygiene/ cleanliness, and physical barriers. Restaurateurs who have been closed since March are waiting to hear more so they can work out ways to comply and get their business back in operation.

Is your restaurant either closed or operating on limited take-out/delivery hours during the COVID-19 pandemic? If you answered yes, then it’s crucial that you implement proper security measures that protect your business while it’s left unattended.

Current events regarding COVID-19 have led to an increase in business closures and more teams working remotely. That means a business security solution is more important than ever before. 

The restaurant industry is becoming increasingly competitive, particularly with disruptors, such as SkipTheDishes, changing the way consumers engage with the food service industry.

As a result, both chain and independent restaurants have struggled over the past few years - with many restaurant businesses closing down. To stay competitive, loss prevention is crucial.

On April 20 of this year, three men were arrested after robbing a Vancouver restaurant. Nobody was hurt inside the restaurant and police response was quick. Since a couple of transit officers were conveniently located just across the street, the culprits were apprehending before they were able to take off in a cab.

However, in many instances of restaurant robbery the outcome is not always so successful. 

The restaurant industry is highly competitive and fast-paced, but while you are focusing on keeping ahead of your competitor down the road you probably haven’t realized that there is a much greater threat to your business.

The security of your restaurant is crucial for protecting your investment and boosting yearly revenue, but many restaurants are still failing to implement a security plan that succeeds in preventing and stopping theft.

Crime may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to the restaurant industry, but your businesses isn’t safe from threats. Your restaurant is vulnerable to vandalism, break-ins, employee theft and even hold-ups. 

The hospitality industry is a fast-paced business, where products and services are always changing, and like the retail industry, after hours’ crime is always a big threat.

From fast-food restaurants, to a neighbourhood bar/eatery, or a white cloth, a la carte restaurant, owning and operating a restaurant is not easy.

If you want to deter criminals - having a quality, customized, security system is imperative. But it’s not the only thing you can do to make your business or property less appealing to thieves, robbers, and vandals looking for opportunities. It’s equally important to ensure your facility is environmentally unwelcoming to would-be intruders. You want to let criminals know that your business - whether an office, warehouse, retail store, or construction site - is not an easy target, and that their time would be better spent somewhere else.

The competitor down the street is not the only threat to your business. Your restaurant is vulnerable to vandalism, break-ins, hold-ups, employee theft, and even freezer failures. Protecting your assets and inventory from these types of threats is not easy, so we've come up with a few tips to help you improve your restaurant, bar, or lounge security.Whether you own a high-volume club/ lounge, a chain of family-themed restaurant, or a 5-star fine-dining establishment, you will want to make sure your security is up to par - but also tailored to fit your specific needs.

Most people don't associate a restaurant with the need to have a security system, but it's a fact that crimes of all types can occur in and around restaurants, at all times of the day and night.  And if we were to include fast food restaurants and some types of clubs and bars into this category, then you can see that the risk of crime is indeed real, and customers and employees have to be protected.

So how would you rate your restaurant security?