When a customer leaves without paying their bill, it not only results in a loss of revenue for the establishment, but it also creates a sense of unease among staff members who may feel helpless in preventing these occurrences. Preventing dine and dash is a key part of restaurant security and loss prevention, making it essential for dine-in locations. Although dine and dash is relatively common, there are several steps that you can take to greatly reduce the risk of dine and dash occurring in your establishment. Below, we've outlined how your restaurant can prevent suffering from dine and dash, as well as the steps your restaurant can take should you ever fall victim to the crime.
Dine and Dash Meaning
Dine and dash refers to the act of leaving a restaurant without paying for the meal. It's a form of theft that can have serious consequences for both the restaurant and the individuals involved. Not only does it result in financial losses for the establishment, but it also damages its reputation and can lead to a loss of trust from other customers.
Is Dine and Dash Illegal?
Yes, dine and dash is illegal. When customers intentionally leave a restaurant without paying, they are committing theft. In most jurisdictions, this act falls under the category of "theft of services" or "defrauding an innkeeper”. In some cases, dine and dash may be considered a misdemeanor, resulting in fines or even jail time. In other instances, it could be considered a felony if the amount stolen exceeds a certain threshold.
How to Stop Dine and Dash
Discover some of the most effective methods your restaurant can employ to combat against dine and dash:
1. Train Your Staff
One of the most effective ways to prevent dine and dash is by training your servers to be vigilant and proactive. Make sure they are attentive to customers, especially those who appear suspicious or exhibit unusual behavior. Encourage them to engage with customers, build rapport, and establish a friendly atmosphere. By doing so, your staff will deter potential dine and dashers and create an environment where customers feel valued and want to pay for their meals.
2. Install New Security Systems
Investing in state-of-the-art security systems reduces the likelihood of dine and dash incidents. Consider installing surveillance cameras strategically throughout your establishment, including at entrances, exits, and cash registers. These cameras act as a deterrent and can provide valuable evidence in case of any wrongdoing.
3. Alter Payment Systems
Another effective method to prevent dine and dash is by altering your payment systems. For instance, you can implement a policy where customers must pay before receiving their food. This ensures that payment is made upfront, minimizing the risk of someone leaving without settling their bill. Alternatively, you can require customers to provide a credit card or other form of payment as collateral upon arrival, which will be charged in the event of a dine and dash attempt.
4. Hire a Host/Hostess
Having a host or hostess stationed at the entrance of your restaurant can be a valuable asset in preventing dine and dash incidents. The presence of a host adds a layer of security and helps deter potential wrongdoers. A host can greet and seat guests, monitor the dining area, and keep an eye out for any suspicious activity. Additionally, they can assist in identifying potential dine and dashers and alert the staff accordingly.
5. Take More Reservations
When a customer makes a reservation, they must provide you with details such as their name and contact information, making it easier to track them down if dine and dash occurs. Reservations also allow you to plan staffing accordingly, ensuring that you have enough staff to provide attentive service and keep an eye on all customers. Knowing how many guests to expect with a new reservation system allows you to allocate resources efficiently and minimize the risk of dine and dashers slipping through the cracks.
6. Change Floor Plans
Consider redesigning your restaurant's floor plan to create a more secure environment. By optimizing the layout, you can enhance visibility and reduce blind spots, making it easier for your staff to monitor all areas. Additionally, strategically placing cash registers and exits in visible locations can act as a deterrent for potential dine and dashers. Designing your floor plan to increase the distance between seating areas and potential exits also makes it more difficult for dine and dashers to quickly sneak out unnoticed.
What to Do When a Customer Dines and Dashes
If your restaurant is a victim of dine and dash, it's crucial to maintain a calm demeanor. While it's natural to feel upset and angry, reacting impulsively can create unnecessary chaos. Follow the steps below to increase the chances of identifying the culprit and preventing future occurrences of dine and dash.
- Collect Information - The first thing to do after a dine and dash occurs is collect as much information as possible on the customer. This can include checking customer records, asking for a description of the perpetrator from other guests, and reviewing any security camera footage.
- Contact Authorities - After collecting information, notify your local police department immediately and provide them with a detailed description of the individual who left without paying. The more information you can provide, the better chances law enforcement will have in apprehending the culprit.
- Alert Local Restaurants - Although dine and dash can be spontaneous, it is usually planned ahead of time and often leads to other incidents. Alerting other restaurants around you allows them to remain vigilant and assess their own dine and dash security measures ahead of time.
- Analyze Security Weaknesses - If you’re a victim of dine and dash, it’s important to analyze your restaurant’s security and identify the weak spots that allowed the dine and dash to occur. For example, you may need to schedule more workers to keep an eye on customers, move seating farther away from exits, or install new security cameras.
Dine and Dash FAQ
Below we answer some of the most common questions asked about dine and dash:
Is Dine and Dash a Felony?
Depending on the amount of money lost during dine and dash, the crime could be considered a felony. Many jurisdictions have a monetary threshold that once crossed, a misdemeanor becomes a felony. If the dine and dash exceeds this threshold, the culprit may be charged with a felony.
Do Servers Have to Pay for Dine and Dash?
In many cases, servers are not required to pay for dine and dash incidents. That being said, some restaurants may deduct the cost of the unpaid bill from the server's tips. Familiarize yourself with your jurisdiction’s tipping laws as this practice is not legal in all states. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) also prohibits employers from making deductions from an employee's tips that would bring their wages below the minimum wage.
How Common Is Dine and Dash?
Dine and dash is relatively common, so it’s important for restaurants to remain vigilant to protect themselves. When a customer leaves without paying, your restaurant is losing out on a lot of potential revenue. When you consider that these incidents happen multiple times a year, the financial impact can add up quickly.
How to Stop Virtual Dine and Dash
As delivery and online orders become more common, virtual dine and dash cases have increased hand-in-hand. Some common examples of virtual dine and dash include customers disputing the charge on their credit card, claiming the food never arrived, or claiming that they never ordered the food at all. To prevent this from happening, ensure you keep meticulous records of what orders consist of and who is ordering each meal. Additionally, instruct delivery drivers to take photos of orders when they’re delivered, as the photographic evidence of a completed order can help you dispute false claims.
Preventing dine and dash incidents is crucial for any restaurant owner. Not only does it protect your bottom line, but it also ensures a safe and enjoyable dining experience for all your customers. By implementing a variety of preventative measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of dine and dash incidents in your establishment and have the peace of mind to focus on other aspects of your restaurant.
