One of the most important jobs as a restaurant owner is to keep your employees and customers safe from sickness, injury and legal trouble. Several risks come with running a restaurant, like slip and fall accidents and lawsuits regarding certification and licensing. It is your responsibility to reduce liability as much as possible, and thankfully this can be done with proper attention and preparation. This guide includes common liability issues you may face as well as ways to avoid them.
Proper Alcohol Licensing
If you plan on serving beer, wine and spirits in your restaurant, you will need to acquire all the proper licenses required by your state to do so. If you try to serve alcohol without this certification, you could face serious and costly legal consequences. These standards vary by state, so you should consult a liquor law consultant Texas for help. It can take several months to receive your license, so applying earlier is better.
Food Safety and Allergy Awareness
Maintaining high standards for food safety will help keep your customers safe and encourage them to continue coming to your restaurant. It can also protect customers from foodborne illnesses or allergic reactions. To protect your business, you should secure a liability insurance policy that covers your product- the food you serve. In addition to insurance coverage, educate your kitchen staff in safe food preparation and food allergy awareness.
Accidental Injury
You are at risk of a lawsuit if an employee or customer gets hurt while at your restaurant. You can help prevent common injuries like slips and falls by keeping your floors clean and clear of tripping hazards. You may also consider posting signage around your restaurant to make customers aware of hazards like wet floors and hidden steps. Also, be sure to train your employees to use equipment safely.
You want people to be safe when visiting your business. Use the information here to help you make your restaurant safer for customers and employees alike.