QSRs are common targets for robbery because they're cash-based businesses. That also makes them regular marks for employee theft.
"Management is seldom aware of the actual extent of losses or even the existence of theft," said John Case, president of John Case & Associates, a security management consulting firm based in Del Mar, Calif. "Many employees cite opportunities created by management, not their financial need, as their primary motivation to steal."
"Losses occur simply because people are touching cash and there's no controlled circle around it," said Edward McGunn, Corporate Safe Specialists (CSS) president and chief executive officer. "For years we've had cameras and remote POS that can track sales transactions and how often a cash drawer opens. Yet money is lost, many times, at the time of closing out a drawer during reconciliation."
Technology protection
Until 1985, when Brinks introduced its Compusafe, technology had not been used to solve the industry-wide problem of employee cash theft. With its Compusafe, the concept of a closed cash management system debuted. Instead of counting and recording the day's handle manually, cashiers took the drawer to the safe and inserted bills and coins into slots for complete accuracy. The drawer was then put back into service with its allotted starting bank and receipts were printed, one for the cashier and one for the manager on duty. Ticket sales were then reconciled to the amount in the Compusafe.
McGunn took the Compusafe concept a step further by creating a programmable computerized key pad with remote accessibility. With Advanced Cash Control System (ACCS), operators can be alerted via PC or even cell phone when a "business rule violation" (i.e., safe door is open too long) occurs. Live video feed of cash-handling areas is also available.
Subway operator Lucien Saint Cyr found that the ACCS saved more than six hours a week in management labor alone through the elimination of time spent previously verifying drops and clearing discrepancies.
With a touchscreen displaying information, the ACCS safe fully integrates with existing IT networks and structures. "It has all the features I was looking for including a coin dispenser, familiar Windows-based operation of functions such as video recording of transactions and time-delay entry," Saint Cyr said.
Without having to worry about shrinkage and the associated air of suspicion, Saint Cyr estimates productivity is up 20 percent.
"Nothing good ever results with controlled chaos, as with the manager who wakes up in the morning anticipating shrinkage from the night before," McGunn said. "We've designed a solution that allows operators to monitor their safe's activity. There's no more need to accept cash losses as the norm."
