Being a manager is stressful, but the stress really compounds for those who own or manage a restaurant. Restaurant owners are responsible for running a safe and clean restaurant for employees and guests, which requires you to implement and adhere to certain policies and regulations.
1. Have Proper Insurance
There are many things that can go wrong during the operation of your restaurant. Insurance companies offer policies that will provide financial support to you and your restaurant in the event of these issues. Available policies include commercial general liability, food contamination, business interruption, and enhanced wine valuation coverage. Your restaurant should be covered by all of these insurance policies to protect your business.
2. Set Up for Success
In addition to equipping your kitchen with necessary commercial appliances, make sure that your plumbing can meet the demands of your business. Because the kitchen is so central to operations, restaurants have specific plumbing needs. Be proactive about the plumbing fixtures you install in your restaurant and perform regular maintenance to ensure that your restaurant plumbing doesn’t cause any problems when you need it most.
Your utilities, while necessary, also pose a fire hazard if used improperly or carelessly. For this reason, it’s important to have certain fire safety plans in place. An evacuation plan, fire prevention equipment, and a sprinkler system are required for a restaurant. Also, teach your employees proper fire safety procedures.
3. Enforce Sanitation Policies
Working in a restaurant requires impeccable adherence to certain sanitation policies set forth by state and federal regulations. As the manager of the restaurant, it is your duty to ensure that the kitchen staff and other restaurant employees are following all sanitation policies. Not only are these regulations essential to the health of your customers, but they also protect the health of your employees. Make frequent visual inspections of the kitchen area to ensure everyone is using gloves, everyone is wearing protective gear, and that all equipment and appliances are properly maintained.
4. Require Special Training
In order to qualify to work in the kitchen of any restaurant, the cooks must take a special training course that teaches them the proper cooking and preparation techniques for handling food. Be careful when choosing the type of food handler training you suggest to your staff. Ensure that the training they receive is certified through federal regulations and that it is the proper training they need for the restaurant jobs they will be performing.
5. Pest Control
The last thing you want is for a bug to find its way into the food you prepare and serve to customers. Rats and mice are also an issue for places that store and prepare food. To keep your restaurant sanitary, hire a pest control service to perform preventative spraying and countermeasures when needed.
Don’t forget the most important rule of restaurant safety and sanitation – no sick employees. If one of your employees shows up sniffling, pale, or otherwise appearing ill, send them home immediately.
Here at Commercial Kitchens, LLC, we feature a wide selection of both and new and used Restaurant, Bakery and Deli equipment. For those who are starting new businesses, we have several turn-key packages from which to choose. We are a family-owned business and we truly strive to serve each and every one of our clients like we would want to be treated.