Protecting Hotel Concession Areas After Hours
It’s two in the morning. Outside, owls hoot and the streetlights flicker, but inside of the hotel, the front desk attendant is still at work, the only staff member on the floor. Despite this, the grab-and-go food area, which is stocked with snacks, beverages, and packaged goods, sits open and accessible to anyone who may walk through the lobby doors. With no locks, barriers, or signals that the area is closed, the merchandise sits unprotected in one of the most open-access areas of the whole building.
Most hotel owners and operators aren’t thinking about this scenario, but theft costs the hospitality industry over $100 million annually. Instead of waiting for a theft incident to occur that will affect your bottom line, be proactive with protecting your merchandise. A security cover or locking curtain is the easiest way to ensure that merchandise stays where it should be, and the investment costs less than a bad theft incident would.
In today’s article, we’ll be covering everything you need to know about protecting concession areas in hotels. First, we’ll cover what makes them uniquely vulnerable before diving into the extra labor that can be saved with the addition of a cover. From there, we’ll explore the security benefits, even going beyond the obvious, before giving you an overview of what to look for in a custom security cover.
The Unique Vulnerability of Hotel Concession Areas
Hotels are unique—their lobbies never really close. Unlike other high-traffic spots like malls or stadiums, hotels operate 24 hours a day with varying staffing levels. This means that unsupervised access to retail areas is a daily reality, not an occasional occurrence. Not only that, but guests and non-guests alike are moving through the lobby at all hours. The open-access layout of a hotel lobby means that grab-and-go concession areas are visible and accessible to a much larger population than a normal retail environment.
Overnight skeleton crews can’t always monitor everything. Think about it—when a single person is managing check-ins, phone calls, and lobby security at the same time, it can be difficult to watch the concession area as well. In addition, the merchandise in these concession areas is often small, portable, and easy to slip into a pocket, making them the perfect target for theft.
The Labor No One Account For (And How a Custom Security Cover Can Help)
On a typical day, a hotel staff worker has a start-up routine that can vary between checking inventory, cleaning surfaces, and ensuring that nothing was tampered with the night prior. When there is nothing to cover up a closed concession area, this process takes longer because the area has been exposed all night, collecting dust, fingerprints, and disturbed merchandise that needs to be straightened before a guest sees it.
But with the addition of a custom security cover, this morning routine is simplified. Instead of wasting time cleaning exposed areas, just slip the cover off and the area looks exactly as it did the night before. What once took 15 to 20 minutes now takes only moments. While that may seem like a small amount of time savings, over the course of a year that time adds up. Instead of expending labor cleaning or straightening, staff can now redirect their energy towards guests.
How Custom Security Covers Help with More than Just Theft
A covered concession area is not just a signal to those who would steal—it also acts as a visual deterrent and changes perception much in the same way a closed sign does. But unlike a closed sign, a cover is also a physical barrier, and with the addition of a locking zipper, it becomes an even more secure way to ensure that no merchandise goes missing overnight.
Custom security covers can meaningfully alter perception and change behavior. A few years ago, a customer contacted Equip to cover up a parking kiosk that was continually attracting graffiti. The owners thought that the graffiti would just go on the cover—instead, the graffiti stopped entirely. This is because covers are not just a security precaution, they’re a signal that someone is paying attention, and this visual deterrent is often reminder enough.
For hotels with lobby bars or display cases near concession areas, covers create a clear visual boundary between what is accessible and what isn’t. This reduces confusion for legitimate guests while also deterring bad actors.
What to Look for in a Custom Security Cover for Hotels
Custom security covers for hotels should come with the following features:
Custom fit — Concession areas come in every configuration imaginable, from a small refrigerated case to a full-blown retail area. A stock cover won't fit either one correctly, but a custom-manufactured cover or security curtain will fit perfectly.
Ease of use — Hotel staff are always busy, and that’s especially true during shift changes. A cover that one person can put on or take off in under two minutes can save time and labor for busy workers.
Material —While you may not need protection from the sun’s rays or the elements in an indoor concession area, materials that are easy to clean and don’t absorb odors are recommended for hotels.
Lockable closures —A locking zipper is a necessity in any custom security cover that is meant to protect against theft.
Branding opportunity —A branded cover with the hotel's logo or a simple "closed — see front desk" message adds a professional touch that a plain black cover doesn't.
An Overnight Relief for Hotel Employees and Operators Alike
A cover might be small thing, but what it communicates to guests is not.
Let’s go back to our opening scene: the hotel lobby at 2am and the unattended concession or retail area. Now, let’s imagine that same lobby, at the same time of night, but every single display is covered, secured, and clearly closed. The front desk attendant doesn’t have to worry about it. The morning staff don’t have to spend valuable time figuring out if anything was stolen overnight. And the guests who might wander through the lobby will see a property that looks well taken care of and well-managed, even in the middle of the night.
For more information about custom covers for your hotel from Equip, click “Get a Quote” below.
FAQs
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For most hotel concession setups, a well-designed cover goes on and comes off in two to three minutes.
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Yes, many hotel clients order covers for several areas at once — the concession area, the lobby bar, and any other areas that close overnight. We build them to consistent specifications, so the property looks put-together and uniform.
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We are able to have most quotes out in around 24 hours and most cover orders ship within 4-5 weeks of approval. For hotel renovation projects with fixed opening dates, it’s a good idea to reach out as early in the planning process as possible so covers are ready when the property opens.
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No, there are no minimum order quantities at Equip. Whether you’re a boutique hotel or are rolling out retail programs in properties across the country, we can deliver custom security covers that will work for you.
Need a Custom Equipment Cover for Your Hotel or Resort?
Whether you’re protecting concession areas located indoors or outdoor fire pits, shuffleboard courts, kiosks, or valet carts, Equip can help you design a custom solution built to last.
📧 Email: info@equipinc.com 📞 Call: 719-599-0300
Request a quote today and keep your assets covered, protected, and ready for anything.
