Restaurant Security Cameras Buyers’ Guide

“Restaurant security cameras are absolutely the best investment ever!!! It paid for itself on the very first day!!” A Mexican restaurant owner in Astorga said on his social media. Restaurant security systems have long proven to be a wise investment by millions of bar, subway restaurant, and chophouse owners.

And rest assured the restaurant CCTV cameras, are generally legal as long as you don’t place them in restrooms or locker rooms where people may have a reasonable expectation of privacy. But do mind that the audio recording could be a problem in some region, though. Now follow up to see what you can do with restaurant cameras and the best-valued ones.

Why Need Restaurant Security Cameras?

It is absolutely not easy to run a successful restaurant business. With a restaurant camera system, you will never be annoyed by the following troubles:

• An employee loafing on his/her job or stealing things;
• A customer leaving before paying or taking things off the table like dinnerware;
• A dispute (even fight) without a clue of what happened;
• Property (like cash) missing with no signs you can catch;
• Burglary, break-ins or vandalism;

More than that, restaurant security and systems can make your business easier with extra benefits below:

• Remote control over multiple eateries via your phone or computer;
• More diligent workers and better eating environment with proper monitoring;
• Improved working efficiency with more dedicated employees.

Top 5 Solutions for Restaurant CCTV Cameras and Systems

The security camera or system is a wise investment only if you choose the right one. Below list some restaurant CCTV cameras that will make your business much easier.

Solution 1: Restaurant Security System

Restaurant security camera systems can set up a solid defense against potential dangers (both employee theft and break-ins) with comprehensive monitoring.

With up to 16 channels and large storage space (usually over 2TB), a security system for restaurant can get all the following critical places covered with weeks’ videos:

• The kitchen: The kitchen is the busiest place in the eatery. With a restaurant security camera, you can monitor the whole cooking process and therefore guarantee the food quality. You may also display what is going on in your kitchen to prove that the food you provide is absolutely clean & healthy.
• The dining area: As what I have mentioned above, the eating area is very prone to disputes and other issues especially for the small restaurants and fast food restaurants. A security camera for restaurant could save you a lot of troubles.
• The cashier’s: Most bills on the restaurant are still paid in cash. A missing note or two is hard to find out when you do the account checking. A restaurant security camera pointing at the cashier desk can prevent employee theft and fraud.
• The entries: If your restaurant locates in a busy street where pubs and nightclubs are around, it’s necessary to have a front door security camera to protect your property from drunkards and thieves.
• The parking lot: The parking lot is a place where all kinds of incidents are prone to happen. If you provide parking space for customers, it’s your responsibility to make it safe. For the upper level restaurants that most customers will drive to, a security camera is indispensable.

Solution 2: PTZ Restaurant Surveillance Cameras

The eating area is the largest section of a restaurant where arguments and other conflicts are likely to occur, and this is especially true for subway cafes and bars where there is a high customer flow.

And a common bullet restaurant security camera usually fails to cover all the spots.

Here is a solution: Get a PTZ security camera for restaurant with more flexibility. The PT (pan & tilt) function allows you to adjust its viewing angle freely. Also, you may set its cruise path and let the restaurant security camera rotate automatically to get a complete picture of the eating place.

Superior to PT cameras, PTZ restaurant surveillance cameras add extra zooming functionality. You will find it useful when you need to identify a specific employee who loafs on his/her job. Note that optical zoom (no damage in image quality) is preferable compared with digital zoom (degraded resolution).

Solution 3: Wireless Security Cameras for Restaurants

The biggest advantage of wireless cameras is their flexibility and user-friendly setup. To get actual evidence of people taking things from the stock room, you need a mini wireless restaurant camera that is easy to hide under the ceiling or somewhere dimly lit, and also captures rich and identifiable details, just as clear as the video below.

Battery-powered models are a very good “sneaker” with a mini body to blend in with your restaurant or bar decorations. With no wires at all and sleek design, you can also place wireless models in the table plant indoors or on the main entries, and it’s rechargeable via solar panel so that you won’t be troubled by the quick battery drain due to the frequent restaurant customers even in the peak dining time.

Solution 4: Remote Accessible Restaurant Security Cameras

Do not take it for granted that you can rest on your office chair and see the live stream videos on the screen with whatever kind of restaurant security cameras in place.

That is possible only when the restaurant camera is remote viewing enabled. So check whether the camera can be remotely accessed first if the following is what you want:

• See the camera live stream video on your phone or computer;
• Keep tabs on the whole chain of eating houses in one device;
• Check the restaurants’ conditions during the off-hours.

In a nutshell, the security cameras for restaurant with remote viewing capability allow you to get connected via the mobile device, computer or web browser.

A point you may miss out: If you can see which customer is in need behind a screen, you can reduce the service response time and there will be less unattended customers. This is very helpful during busy hours and can greatly improve the customers’ satisfaction.

Solution 5: Wired Restaurant CCTV Cameras

Unlike the WiFi surveillance cameras, a quality wired business surveillance camera for restaurant gains its advantages in the stable signal.

Therefore, non-rechargeable battery-powered security cameras should be ruled out since they are commonly used as motion detection cameras and do not record continuously. That’s to say, the camera will only wake up when motion (like human movement) is detected. The battery could drain very quickly due to the high customer flow of the restaurant industry.

As for signal stability, choose the PoE security cameras which uses Ethernet cable (only one) for power supply and data transmission instead of WiFi and wired connection guarantees a stable signal on whatever network situations.

Best Restaurant Security Cameras and Systems

A reliable security camera is key to safeguarding your restaurant. Here are some top Reolink picks that may be a perfect match.

Best Restaurant Camera System - Reolink RLK8-800B4

Just install the pre-configured Reolink restaurant surveillance system in 2 simple steps – plug and pay, literally, you can watch current live streaming and recorded video via desktop, PC, and smartphone.

With pre-installed 2TB HDD, the restaurant video security system is capable of recording weeks’ long videos, and its storage can be expanded to 12TB if you want to record even longer at 4K resolution

Best PTZ Security Camera for Restauerants - Reolink RLC-823A

This PTZ security camera for restaurant provides 360° endless view, like the video below shows, which could secure the entry, the dining area, and the cashier at the same time. Also, the RLC-823A comes at an an affordable price point. With PTZ function, 4K high definition, excellent night vision, free & easy remote access, and quick installation, RLC-823A keeps your restaurant safe in a simple and economical way. Check out the video shared by Reolink users to see its performance.

Best Wireless Restaurant Camera - Reolink Argus 4 Pro

If you need a battery-powered camera for your restaurant, consider the Reolink Argus 4 Pro. This wireless camera features a sleek design that adds style to your restaurant décor. The 4K dual-lens camera offers a 180-degree field of view, covering a wide area both inside and outside your restaurant. Most importantly, it uses Reolink ColorX technology and provides full-color night vision even in low-light conditions.

Best Vandal-Proof Cameras for Restaurants - Reolink RLC-843A

Restaurants handle heavy foot traffic, frequent cash transactions, and valuable equipment, which makes them vulnerable to theft, tampering, and vandalism. That’s where a vandal-proof camera proves essential. The Reolink RLC-843A, with its IK10-rated protection, delivers 4K image quality, color night vision, and secure local storage. Restaurant owners can install it at entrances, in parking lots, or even in dining areas for reliable coverage.

FAQs

Is it illegal for a restaurant to not have cameras?

No, it’s generally not illegal for restaurants to operate without security cameras. However, cameras are highly recommended for safety, theft prevention, and liability protection. Some insurers or local regulations may require them in specific cases.

Can cameras be used to watch employees?

Yes, employers can use security cameras to monitor employees, but only in public work areas such as kitchens, dining rooms, and entryways. It’s illegal to place cameras in private spaces like restrooms or locker rooms. Laws vary by region, so restaurant owners should check local regulations and inform staff about camera use to stay compliant.

Can someone record me in a restaurant?

Yes, restaurants can use security cameras to record in public areas like dining rooms, entrances, and parking lots. However, they cannot record in private spaces such as restrooms. In most regions, video recording without audio is allowed, but laws on audio recording vary, so consent may be required.

Conclusion

Whether you are running a buffet, bar or subway restaurant, a security camera will be very helpful. Get a restaurant security camera now and you can benefit from it forever.

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