As simple as employees snacking during shifts or as extreme as stealing cases of food right off of the delivery truck, theft has always been an issue for restaurant owners. No matter the severity, these costs add up and hurt your bottom line and profitability. By implementing simple safeguards, you can protect your operation against theft and pilferage.

Prevent theft in your restaurant with these no-cost or low-cost suggestions:

• Perform pre-employment background checks on all new hires
• Keep the back door locked
• Use a meat cage to secure highly-valuable products and equipment
• Encourage employees to report questionable activity
• Do not allow employees to bring backpacks into the restaurant
• Keep the manager’s office door locked at all times
• Keep the freezer locked when not in use
• Conduct regular guest check audits to make sure servers are correctly ringing up all menu items
• Keep the dry storage area secure
• Limit access to cash drawers and the safe
• Keep all alcohol under lock and key
• Keep track of inventory on a regular basis
• Do not allow employees to share a cash draw as there will be no accountability for shortages

For more tips on improving your bottom line, or to learn more about restaurant management and recruitment best practices, visit SynergyConsultants.com