Restaurants have a range of security threats, including dine-and-dash, unauthorized access and theft, vandalism, and environmental threats. These security threats often appear on news and social media. For instance, a father and son stole two bags of drinks from a Japanese all-you-can-eat restaurant; A customer stole the cashier’s Octopus Card during processing the payment; A phenomenon of “dine and dash” occurred in a prestigious university. These security threats not only affect the income and reputation of restaurants but also the dining experience of customers. Therefore, the need for enhanced security measures has been critical.
CCTV Systems Provide Four Protective Layers to Restaurants
1. Real-Time Video Monitoring
CCTV systems can monitor every corner of the restaurant in real time, complemented with ‘24 Hour Surveillance System Installation’ warning sign boards, which can act as a powerful deterrent to criminal activities. When offenders are aware that they are being observed, they are more likely to act cautiously and restrain their behavior. This effectively reduces security threats such as dine-and-dash, theft, unauthorized entry, and other inappropriate actions.
2. Monitoring Employee Behavior and Performance
With CCTV and remote monitoring systems, employee behavior and performance can be monitored anytime and anywhere. This is particularly important when handling valuables and cash flow, thereby reducing the risk of internal disputes or employee theft.
3. Providing Evidence in Disputes or Incidents
CCTV footage provides objective visual evidence when disputes or incidents occur. Besides, CCTV with audio capabilities can provide clear evidence of conversations to provide an accurate depiction of what happened, clarify facts and safeguard restaurants’ rights and interests. Take an example in Mexico, a diner intentionally put a cockroach into her meal to avoid paying the bill. The restaurant reviewed the CCTV footage, and successfully used video evidence to confirm the scam, thus avoiding unnecessary income losses and reputational damage. Additionally, a burglary occurred at a Japanese restaurant located in Causeway Bay. In this case, a former employee was identified and arrested after police reviewed the CCTV footage and conducted a thorough investigation. CCTV systems played a crucial role in the investigation.
4. Analyzing Customer Reactions and Behavior
Recently, a well-known Japanese bakery has drawn wide attention to the installation of numerous CCTV cameras. The bakery stated that these cameras are not only used for security but also assist in inventory management. When a particular bread product becomes popular, staff can quickly adjust its supply to meet customer demand. Additionally, CCTV can monitor product displays and ensure the display is visually appealing.
With advancements in technology, the functionality and performance of CCTV systems continue to develop, making the applications in restaurants more diverse and intelligent. Modern CCTV systems can leverage Deep Learning technology to provide various intelligent analyses. For example, Facial Recognition can track frequent customers, customer dwell time and loitering detection which help restaurants to identify their popular items. Furthermore, anomaly detection can identify unusual or violent behaviors, these capabilities effectively assist restaurants in enhancing service quality and operational efficiency.
Must-Have Features For Restaurants CCTV System
1. Night Vision Capability
Crimes are more likely to occur at night. Therefore, CCTV with night vision capability has become particularly important for clear nighttime recording. Besides, rats and other rodent pests are mostly nocturnal and active at night. Night vision CCTV cameras help monitor the environmental hygiene inside and outside of the restaurants which allows timely action in case of any situation and maintains the restaurants in a clean and sanitary condition.
2. Waterproof, Dust-Proof and Vandal-Proof
It is crucial for outdoor CCTV cameras to withstand various weather conditions to deliver uninterrupted performance. Waterproof and Dust-Proof features ensure durability and protection against rain, water, and dust which can lower the maintenance costs.
Vandal-Proof CCTV cameras generally have a solid metal base to provide restaurants with the highest degree of protection from physical damage, especially for restaurants in remote areas or high risks that may be prone to vandalism or tampering.
3. Audio Recording Capabilities
CCTV with audio recording features can capture voice recordings, enhancing security and providing valuable evidence. Having CCTV with audio over the cashier area is of utmost importance as many people come and go, such as couriers come to get takeouts and go. It is common to mistake orders and verbal disputes. There has been an instance where a courier had verbal altercations with restaurants’ staff and even threatened the staff with a knife due to delayed order. With audio recording capabilities, management can gain a comprehensive understanding of incidents. This is especially valuable when addressing customer complaints or disputes, as it provides additional evidence to ensure an objective resolution and improve service quality.
4. Deep Learning Technology
Deep Learning technology plays a crucial role in restaurants to assist in adjusting their operational strategies in real time. Anomaly detection in CCTV systems identify unusual or suspicious behaviors, crowd management measures help restaurants identify peak hours and arrange roaster. Additionally, deep learning technology can quickly and accurately search for faces, crowd movements, target behaviors, and specific people to provide real-time data analysis and extract valuable information, such as peak hours and flow of people.
5. Large-Capacity Storage
CCTV systems equipped with large-capacity storage can retain video footage for long-term, facilitating easy retrieval and evidence collection when needed to enhance overall safety and accountability.
6. Remote Controlling
Remote controlling ensures that restaurants can be monitored anytime and anywhere which can enhance management flexibility, oversee operations in real-time and respond to incidents promptly.
CCTV systems offer much more than security in the modern business landscape. They are critical tools for restaurants to enhance safety, drive efficiency, and improve customer satisfaction. With development in functionality and performance, CCTV systems become more sophisticated and commercial, offering more comprehensive monitoring and operational effectiveness in F&B industry. If you are interested in the above services, please contact us by email enquiry@ensecsolutions.com or by phone at (852) 2343 6884 for more information.