"Christmas is a time for festivities and increased business. But it is also a time for the fraudsters to target restaurants. And a period when mistakes can be made by operators. An agency, The Restaurant Ingredient, has issued a few tips to help make the festive spell run smoothly and profitably."
Boss Guy Holmes says: "Watch out for a fairly common scam where people phone asking for Christmas menus to be faxed to them on premium rate numbers such as 0906 costing £1.50 per page.
"Operators should make sure they take a deposit for office parties and think carefully about whether or not to advertise for Christmas parties - will the extra expense be covered by more bookings? Make sure staff are fully briefed on any menu changes.
"Leave the numbers of a few reliable taxi companies next to the restaurant phone - unreliable taxi companies will mean delays in turning the table as fast as necessary.
"Keep an extra eye on what the staff drink - but for customers increase stock levels across the boards, especially Champagnes and wines.
"On the plus side Christmas is a great time to start a customer database. Anyone asking for a menu, should be encouraged to leave details which can be used for notifying them of items such as menu changes as well as any future promotions."
Festive Fraudsters
Restaurant Business
December 2004
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