Running a restaurant, bar or café means juggling a host of regulations—from fire safety and food hygiene to alcohol licensing and health and safety.  An internal control system isn’t just another requirement—it’s a strategic tool that gives you an overview and helps prevent mistakes.  Put simply, an internal control system gathers routines, checklists, documentation and training into one framework.

The benefits are significant.  By documenting procedures and assigning clear responsibilities, you reduce the risk of breaches, streamline workflows and increase trust among employees, guests and authorities.  A robust system ensures that you meet legal requirements and are ready for inspections at any time.  It also fosters continuous improvement: when you see what works and what doesn’t, you can adjust routines and processes to prevent the same mistakes from recurring.

So how do you build an effective internal control system?  Start with a risk assessment.  Identify potential hazards—whether they relate to food safety, fire hazards, occupational accidents or alcohol service.  Once you know your risks, define clear procedures for how each will be controlled and how often checks will be performed.  Next, automate as much as possible: digital checklists and reminders reduce paperwork and ensure that nothing is forgotten.  Involve employees by giving them responsibility for tasks and making it easy to report deviations or suggest improvements.  Finally, commit to continuous improvement by reviewing and updating routines regularly.

When choosing an internal control system, look for a solution that is simple to use, flexible and integrated.  You should be able to adapt checklists to your needs, register deviations quickly and produce documentation for inspections in seconds.  That’s where Runwell excels: our platform brings food safety, alcohol licensing, fire safety and occupational health and safety together, with digital training modules and chat for real‑time communication.  All your routines are in one place, easily accessible on any device.  Investing in an internal control system isn’t just about avoiding fines—it’s about creating a safe, efficient and trustworthy business