GDPR and Restaurants

As a restaurant operator, you need to understand how the GDPR affects your business. Learn the requirements for compliance and what you can do to comply. Also learn about the fines you can face if you fail to comply. GDPR is the law governing personal data protection, and this new regulation applies to all businesses including restaurants.

Impact of GDPR on restaurant industry

GDPR is a new European privacy regulation that requires businesses to comply with data privacy regulations. It applies to businesses that process personal information about EU citizens. It has the potential to impact every industry, including the restaurant industry. Restaurants record customer details for a variety of reasons, such as taking away orders or enrolment in a loyalty program. Therefore, restaurants should consider how GDPR will impact their business practices and how they can ensure that they are GDPR compliant.

In addition to enforcing data privacy, the new law also imposes a fine for not complying. Businesses can be fined up to EUR 20 million or four percent of their turnover if they fail to adhere to the new legislation. The introduction of GDPR has been anticipated for several years, especially after the data privacy scandal involving Cambridge Analytica. It requires restaurants to be more upfront with their customers about how they will use their data and give them choice.

Those worried about compliance with GDPR should not delay their plans to comply with the new privacy regulations. Some companies may opt to follow the regulations only for their European-based stores, while others may choose to only comply with the regulations for their U.S.-based restaurants. However, most companies will need to align with GDPR as soon as it becomes effective.

Requirements for compliance

Restaurants that serve customers from the European Union should take GDPR compliance seriously. Although the regulation affects only businesses in Europe, it has implications for U.S. businesses as well. It will affect companies that process hypersensitive data, such as loyalty program information. In addition, it will apply to information collected through a website.

GDPR requires restaurants to collect and manage all types of data about their customers. This includes names, emails, phone numbers, and unique identifiers. Restaurants should audit their current data management processes and delete any data that isn't GDPR compliant. Moreover, they must follow up promptly when customers request access to their data.

In addition to GDPR, restaurants should also implement a privacy program that covers the different aspects of data protection governance. A comprehensive privacy program should encompass the entire company and establish a culture of data privacy. This will make the restaurants best-equipped to meet the new regulations.

Ways to comply

GDPR compliance is a challenge for store and restaurant owners alike. This new legislation aims to protect the privacy of individuals by requiring that data processors respect GDPR requirements. Such data includes names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, and unique identifiers. The way a restaurant can comply with GDPR is to ensure that its employees take specific steps to ensure data protection.

GDPR is a comprehensive set of rules governing how businesses store and process personal data. This new regulation requires education on the part of both business owners and managers. This means reading up on the new regulations and learning more about the new ways to prevent hacking. It is also essential to make sure that servers are up-to-date with security and anti-phishing tools.

In addition to GDPR, restaurant operators must also consider other data privacy laws that apply in their regions. For example, California Consumer Privacy Act is set to take effect in 2020, which will require restaurants to disclose information about how they use their customers' data and to limit the sharing of that information for commercial purposes. As a result, it is important to determine how much risk your business faces due to different privacy laws and implement the necessary changes.

Fines for non-compliance

The General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, has a hefty price tag for restaurants that fail to protect the privacy of European residents' personal data. The law has changed the way businesses in the EU conduct their operations, and it is now mandatory for all companies, including restaurants, to adhere to its requirements. Restaurants that fail to adhere to the GDPR may face fines of up to 4% of annual revenue, or EUR 20 million.

Fines for GDPR non-compliance are increasing in Spain, which saw the most GDPR incidents in the first nine months of 2021. Moreover, fines under the GDPR have increased significantly since January, thanks to increased enforcement efforts from EU regulators.

The GDPR is designed to educate consumers and keep companies accountable for clearly communicating how to use their personal information. Yet, many customers do not understand their rights. Many do not even realise they have data rights.