Restaurant Insurance

Insurance for restaurants, cafes, bars, and caterers

A restaurant faces more kinds of risk than most small businesses: open flames and fryers, slippery floors, alcohol service, perishable inventory, and a busy staff. Archer Insurance Agency is an independent agency, so we compare carriers that specialize in food service to build a program that fits how your restaurant actually operates.

Who we insure

• Full-service and family restaurants

• Quick-service, fast-casual, and franchise locations

• Cafes, coffee shops, bakeries, and delis

• Bars, breweries, taverns, and wine bars

• Caterers, food trucks, and ghost kitchens

• Restaurant building owners who lease to food-service tenants

Common coverage for restaurants

Every restaurant is different. These are coverages restaurants often consider, and we will help you pick the ones that fit your menu, your space, and your budget.

• General liability: customer injuries such as slip-and-falls, foodborne illness claims, and property damage to others.

• Liquor liability: claims tied to serving alcohol, which general liability policies usually exclude.

• Commercial property: your building or tenant improvements, kitchen equipment, furniture, and inventory, including fire and storm losses.

• Food spoilage and equipment breakdown: lost inventory and repairs when a walk-in cooler or freezer fails or the power goes out.

• Business income: lost revenue and ongoing expenses while you are closed after a covered loss.

• Workers’ compensation: burns, cuts, and lifting injuries among kitchen and front-of-house staff.

• Commercial auto and hired/non-owned auto: delivery drivers and catering vehicles.

• Cyber liability: card data breaches and point-of-sale system attacks.

• Commercial umbrella: extra liability limits above your other policies.

Many restaurants qualify for a business owner’s policy (BOP), which bundles property, liability, and business income at a lower cost.

What affects the cost

• Annual sales and the share that comes from alcohol

• Type of cooking (fryers, open flame, and grills) and fire suppression systems

• Square footage, building age, and whether you own or lease

• Number of employees and payroll

• Delivery, catering, and late-night hours

• Prior claims history

Why work with an independent agency

We are not tied to one insurance company. We shop your restaurant with multiple carriers, explain the differences in coverage, and help you meet landlord, lender, and liquor license insurance requirements. When something goes wrong, we help you with the claim.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need liquor liability insurance?

If you sell or serve alcohol, yes. Most general liability policies exclude alcohol-related claims, and many states, landlords, and liquor license authorities require proof of liquor liability coverage.

Does restaurant insurance cover food spoilage?

Standard property policies often do not. Food spoilage and equipment breakdown coverage can be added to pay for lost inventory when refrigeration fails or the power goes out.

Is workers’ compensation required for restaurants?

Most states require workers’ comp once you have a certain number of employees, and kitchen work carries a high risk of burns and cuts. Requirements vary by state, and we can help you confirm yours.

Can you insure a food truck or catering business?

Yes. Food trucks and caterers need commercial auto coverage plus general liability, and often liquor liability and equipment coverage for off-site events.

Get a restaurant insurance quote

Tell us about your restaurant and we will compare options from multiple carriers. Call 865-392-8200 or request a quote online.