🍽️ Protecting What You’ve Built: A Restaurant Owner’s Guide to Insurance
Running a restaurant takes passion, grit, and round-the-clock commitment. Whether you’re serving burgers, craft cocktails, or farm-to-table fare, your business is more than a job — it’s a dream brought to life.
But with high foot traffic, food prep, alcohol service, and costly equipment, restaurants also face a unique mix of risks. At Briteline Insurance, we specialize in helping restaurant owners protect their businesses with tailored insurance solutions that go beyond basic coverage.
Here’s what every restaurant owner should know when it comes to insurance:
🍳 1. General Liability Insurance
This is the foundation of your coverage. General liability protects your restaurant from claims of bodily injury, property damage, or advertising-related issues. If a customer slips on a wet floor or gets injured on your premises, this policy kicks in.
🔥 2. Property Insurance
Your kitchen is full of high-value equipment, and your space, whether owned or leased, represents a significant investment. Property insurance protects your building, contents, and inventory from fire, theft, vandalism, and more.
Ask us about replacement cost vs. actual cash value, and how to cover upgrades like outdoor patios or walk-in coolers.
🍷 3. Liquor Liability (If You Serve Alcohol)
If your restaurant serves beer, wine, or spirits, liquor liability coverage is essential. It protects you from claims involving alcohol-related incidents, whether it’s an intoxicated customer causing damage or injuring someone after leaving your establishment.
👨🍳 4. Workers’ Compensation
Restaurant staff work hard and fast. Slips, burns, cuts, and lifting injuries are common in the industry. Workers' comp covers medical costs and lost wages if an employee gets hurt on the job. In many states, it's also required by law.
🚗 5. Commercial Auto (If You Offer Delivery)
If you offer delivery services or use a company vehicle to pick up supplies, commercial auto insurance is a must. Even if employees use their personal vehicles, hired and non-owned auto coverage can protect your business.
⚠️ 6. Spoilage, Equipment Breakdown & Business Interruption
A power outage wipes out your walk-in freezer.
A kitchen fire shuts down your business for two weeks.
Your prep line cooler breaks during a Saturday rush.
We can build policies that help you recover lost income, replace spoiled food, and get back on your feet faster.
🤝 Why Work With an Independent Agency Like Briteline?
We’re not tied to one carrier. That means we can shop the market, compare pricing and coverage from top-rated insurance companies, and customize a package that fits your needs — and your budget. Whether you're a small café or a multi-location chain, we can tailor coverage that grows with you.
🍽️ Ready to Review Your Coverage?
Let’s talk about what makes your restaurant unique and how we can help you protect it. We’re here to make insurance simple, transparent, and built around the way you do business.
📞 Call us at 331-234-7449
🌐 www.britelineinsurance.com
📍 Serving Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and beyond
