Handling the Worst Sort of Incidents in Your Restaurant

No one likes to think about worst-case scenarios in their businesses.Unfortunately, the news continually reminds us that bad things happen to good people - including good restaurant owners.

Preparing to handle violent incidents on premises means anticipating threats, gaining knowledge, drafting policies and procedures, putting equipment in place and training employees on how to react when the pressure is on - knowing that sooner or later, it will be.

Preparing for the worst doesn't mean the worst won't happen. Dealing with the worst - violent or abusive customers or employees, robberies, protests, perhaps even terrorism - is also, unfortunately, part of running a restaurant in today's America.

Lawyers often find themselves in the business of considering every possible scenario, including worse-case. That includes David Denney, founder of the Denney Law Group in Dallas, Texas, and a veteran hospitality attorney. Says Denney, restaurants need to be aware of, and prepare for, all possible scenarios.

"Most importantly, active shooter incidents are on the rise, and the vast majority of active shooter incidents in the U.S. occur in commercial settings - 45.6%, according to recent FBI statistics," Denney notes. Many such incidents involve disgruntled/former employees, domestic violence - whether from guests or employees - or random acts of violence.