By the SightShield team · · 3 min read
Small outlet, real risks
Cafés, bakeries and quick-service outlets run on thin margins. Cash and stock losses, wrong orders, customer complaints, delivery-partner disputes and staff issues all eat into profit. Most owners cannot be present all day; a small, well-placed camera system lets them see what is happening from their phone and settle disputes with facts.
A typical 6–8 camera plan
| Camera | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Entrance | Faces of everyone entering |
| Counter and cash | Orders, payments and the cash drawer |
| Display counter | Stock levels and handling of bakery items |
| Seating area | Customer behaviour, lost items, complaints |
| Kitchen | Hygiene, food handling, training |
| Pickup / delivery shelf | Delivery-partner handovers and missing-order disputes |
| Back door and store | Deliveries in, stock out, after-hours entry |
| Outside | Shopfront and parking |
Delivery disputes
With a large share of orders going through food delivery apps, “item missing” and “order not handed over” complaints are common. A camera over the pickup shelf showing the packed bag, the order slip and the delivery partner collecting it is the most useful evidence when disputing a refund with the platform.
Kitchen cameras and food safety
A camera in the kitchen helps owners check hygiene practices — gloves, caps, handwashing, surface cleaning — and train new staff. It also shows how complaints about food handling arose. Position kitchen cameras to cover preparation areas without pointing at staff changing or rest areas, and choose models that tolerate heat and grease, with lenses cleaned regularly.
Owner viewing and alerts
The owner gets live view and playback on the phone, with separate limited logins for managers. After closing, cameras can send alerts if someone enters the shop or opens the back door. Audio-capable cameras at the counter can help with order disputes, but tell staff and customers that audio is recorded.
How phone viewing works →Running a few outlets
- Add every outlet to one app account with a separate view for each manager.
- Check opening and closing routines remotely each day.
- Compare busy hours across outlets to plan staff.
- Use the same camera layout in each outlet so issues are easy to compare.
Keep cameras off the customer Wi-Fi
If you offer customers Wi-Fi, keep it on a separate guest network so customers can never reach the cameras or billing system. The NVR’s own PoE ports, or a separate VLAN, isolate the cameras.
Read our guest Wi-Fi guide →Recording and rules
Keep at least 30 days of recordings. Busy outlets where 100 or more people gather at a time fall under the Karnataka Public Safety Act, which requires CCTV at entries, exits and common areas with 30-day storage. Put the NVR in a locked cabinet with a small UPS. SightShield installs IP camera systems only, from CP Plus, PRAMA, Honeywell and Hikvision, using models certified for sale in India, with a GST invoice and an annual maintenance contract.
Example: a 40-seat café in Koramangala
A 40-seat café with a busy delivery counter installed seven cameras: the entrance, the billing counter with the cash drawer, the dining area from two corners, the delivery handover shelf, the kitchen pass and the back door. The delivery shelf camera alone paid for itself: when delivery apps raised “missing item” complaints, the café sent a clip showing the sealed bag being handed over, and most refunds were reversed. Cameras run on a separate network from the customer Wi-Fi, and the owner checks the café from home on the app after closing.
Security budget planning for small businesses →Quick answers
How many cameras does a small café need?+
Usually 4–8: entrance, counter, kitchen, seating, delivery shelf and back door.
Can I record audio at the counter?+
Some cameras support audio. If you use it, display a notice and inform staff.
Will CCTV help with delivery app refund disputes?+
Yes. A camera over the pickup shelf showing the handover is strong evidence when disputing a refund.
Can it be installed without closing the café?+
Yes. Most cafés are installed in a day, often before opening or after closing.
Will steam and heat damage kitchen cameras?+
Choose sealed cameras rated for the conditions, mount them away from direct steam, and clean the lens regularly.
Can I see my café from home at night?+
Yes, through the mobile app, with alerts if someone enters after closing.
Do cafés need to follow the Karnataka Public Safety Act?+
If 100 or more people can gather at a time, yes. Smaller cafés are usually not covered but benefit from similar coverage.