Three Risks that Could Cost Your Restaurant Green This St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day is a high-energy, festive occasion where people come together to celebrate with food, drinks, and fun. For restaurants, it’s a prime opportunity to boost business and draw large crowds. But with all that excitement comes some serious risks that could leave your restaurant seeing red instead of green. If you’re not properly prepared, one bad night could result in costly damages that take a big bite out of your profits. As we approach St. Paddy’s Day, let’s look at three common risks that could cost your restaurant green. and how the right insurance can protect your business from losses that could spoil your celebration.

Risks that Could Cost Your Restaurant – Over-Serving Alcohol: A Liability Nightmare

When people are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, alcohol often flows freely. While that can mean big sales for your restaurant, it also opens the door to major liability concerns. Over-serving patrons or not properly monitoring alcohol consumption can lead to fights, accidents, or worse—DUI incidents once they leave your establishment. In some states, dram shop laws hold your restaurant financially responsible for injuries or damages caused by an intoxicated patron.

Example: Imagine a customer who’s had too much to drink gets into a fight inside your restaurant, injuring another guest. Or worse, that customer leaves and causes a car accident. You could be held liable for medical costs, legal fees, and settlements.

Without liquor liability insurance, you’re facing a serious financial hit. This policy provides coverage for alcohol-related incidents, helping to protect your business from lawsuits that could drain your profits.

Increased Foot Traffic and Slips, Trips, and Falls

St. Patrick’s Day brings a surge in foot traffic, which can lead to crowded conditions in your restaurant. Unfortunately, with more customers comes an increased risk of slip, trip, and fall accidents. Spilled drinks, crowded entryways, or poorly lit areas can become hazards, leading to customer injuries. These accidents can result in medical bills, lawsuits, and reputational damage for your business.

Example: A customer slips on a spilled drink near the bar and fractures their wrist. They file a claim against your restaurant. Now you’re on the hook for their medical expenses and potential legal fees.

General liability insurance is crucial for covering bodily injury claims. It ensures that you’re not paying out-of-pocket for accidents that happen on your premises. Thus, keeping your business financially protected while maintaining your restaurant’s good name.

Data Breaches from High-Volume Credit Card Transactions

With the influx of customers on St. Patrick’s Day, your restaurant will likely process a significant number of credit card transactions. Unfortunately, more transactions mean more opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit any vulnerabilities in your payment systems. A data breach that exposes customer credit card information could lead to costly legal battles, hefty fines, and a damaged reputation.

Example: A hacker gains access to your restaurant’s point-of-sale system on St. Patrick’s Day. They steal hundreds of customer credit card details. Your restaurant is then faced with legal claims from affected customers, regulatory penalties, and the expensive process of upgrading your security systems.

Cyber liability insurance is essential for protecting your restaurant from the financial fallout of a data breach. It can cover the costs of legal fees, notification expenses, and credit monitoring services for affected customers. Therefore, ensuring that a cyberattack doesn’t devastate your business.

Don’t Let Risks Spoil Your St. Patrick’s Day Success

As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, now is the perfect time to review your restaurant’s insurance coverage. Ensure you’re protected from the unique risks that come with a busy holiday. Hertvik Insurance Group understands the challenges restaurant owners face. We offer tailored insurance solutions to keep your business secure, no matter what comes your way.

Don’t leave your restaurant’s success to luck this St. Paddy’s Day. Contact Hertvik Insurance Group today to schedule a free consultation. Learn how we can help safeguard your business from the risks that could cost you big.