Crash Kits:

The storms that the ravaged the Midwest and caused extensive power outages bring to mind the need to have backup plans. Systemic power failures can shut down a business and the only real preparedness is adequate insurance coverage. Short-term one or two hour power failures can happen anytime and there are steps you can take to mitigate the effects. If you use a computerized Point of Sale system you should have a crash kit, handy.

The crash kit should be kept in a specific location and consists of the following:

1) Old manual credit card imprinter to make swipes of the card for reentry later, old credit card slips.

2) Flashlight with fresh batteries, an old manual register, manual checks, pens and candles.

Essentially everything you need to create and cash out a check before the advent of Point of Sale systems.

Power failures can happen at anytime, sometimes they happen at 8:00pm on a busy Saturday night, since you do not know the duration of the failure, at first you may choose to ride it out, keep everything moving along. Probably not seat anyone new, however do the best you can to get the current diners their meals.

If the duration exceeds the time that the emergency lights go dim then it is time for plan B. Comp everyone’s meal that is currently in the restaurant and make a candlelight party out of the evening. Initially people respond with camaraderie to a shared experience such as a power failure. Yes, the evening receipts are gone, however the amount of good will you will accrue is priceless. The hallmark of a great restaurateur is the ability to fabricate a memorable guest experience out of ambiguous circumstances.

When disaster beckons be prepared with Crash Kits!