4.22.2025
As restaurants face rising security risks—ranging from customer aggression and internal theft to loitering and fraud—many operators are looking to integrated technology solutions that can improve both safety and operational oversight. Sean Foley, Chief Revenue Officer at Interface Systems, has been helping restaurant and retail brands do just that for over two decades. Interface Systems provides managed services that combine video surveillance, alarm monitoring, remote auditing, environmental sensors, and AI-powered analytics—all delivered through a unified platform. Its solutions are used by leading brands to enhance safety, reduce loss, and gain real-time visibility into operations.
Foley began his career in legal and regulatory affairs before moving into the security technology space, eventually helping pioneer remote video monitoring at Westec Intelligent Surveillance. Since joining Interface, he has led national and regional sales, account management, and customer success, playing a key role in the company’s growth in the restaurant sector. In this interview, he discusses evolving threats in the restaurant space, the growing role of AI and automation, and how brands like Panda Express, MOD Pizza, and WKS Restaurant Group are using Interface solutions to drive both security and efficiency. He also offers insights on privacy, employee training, and how security technology is increasingly being used as a business intelligence tool.
Before joining Interface, you worked in litigation support and regulatory affairs. What led you to transition into the security technology space?
I came to the security space as an attorney for a startup called Westec Intelligent Surveillance. Westec pioneered a form of remote video monitoring called “Virtual Guard”, leveraging live video and two-way audio to protect multi-location businesses. As in-house counsel, my primary role was to prepare Westec for an exit. Instead, I got the business development bug and ended up taking over sales for Westec. I became enamored with the technology and the energy in our interactive monitoring operation. Most importantly, I loved working with our customers. We ultimately ended up selling the business to Interface in 2012. Virtual Guard continues to be Interface’s premier monitoring service.
How have security threats against restaurants evolved in recent years, and what trends concern you the most?
Security threats against restaurants have become more sophisticated and unpredictable. We’re seeing a rise in more aggressive customer behavior and increased cybersecurity threats due to digital transactions. Additionally, issues like vagrancy and loitering are becoming bigger concerns, especially in urban locations, creating safety risks for employees and customers. One of the most concerning trends is the impact of these security challenges on frontline workers. Without the right technology, restaurant employees are often left to handle dangerous situations alone. This is where remote video monitoring and virtual guard solutions make a difference—giving restaurant operators a way to de-escalate incidents in real time while keeping their teams safe.
AI-powered security solutions are advancing rapidly. How can restaurant operators balance automation with human oversight to ensure effective decision-making?
Automation is a powerful tool, but it cannot completely replace human judgment—it should enhance it. AI-powered security can quickly analyze vast amounts of data, detecting anomalies that might otherwise go unnoticed. However, security incidents require context. A system might flag a situation as suspicious, but only a trained human can determine whether it’s an actual threat or simply an employee taking an unusual route to the back office. A remote video monitored virtual guard can assess a situation, communicate with staff via two-way audio, and, if needed, escalate the response by contacting law enforcement. With remote video monitoring, restaurant operators get the best of both worlds: AI-driven cameras for instant threat detection and trained security professionals to intervene when necessary. This combination ensures that security decisions are made with both speed and accuracy.
Video analytics is becoming a game-changer in security. What specific analytics capabilities do you see making the biggest impact for restaurants?
Video analytics is a game-changer for restaurants, especially in high-traffic environments. One of its most significant advantages is identifying suspicious behavior before a crime happens. Advanced systems can recognize loitering patterns, detect unauthorized access, and even flag unusual activities like an employee repeatedly opening the register without a transaction. Heat mapping technology helps optimize staffing by analyzing foot traffic patterns, while facial recognition can deter repeat offenders and prevent banned individuals from re-entering. The integration of video analytics with point-of-sale (POS) systems is also huge—it allows managers to cross-check suspicious transactions with actual footage, making theft or fraud much harder to go unnoticed.
What role do environmental sensors play in restaurant security, and how do they complement video monitoring?
Environmental sensors work hand-in-hand with video monitoring to provide a complete security solution. While cameras detect human threats, sensors can identify risks such as smoke, gas leaks, sudden temperature changes, and flooding—any of which can cause major operational disruptions. For example, if a sensor detects an unsafe temperature drop in a walk-in freezer, it can send an automatic alert before food spoilage occurs. When combined with remote video monitoring, environmental sensors allow security teams to visually verify an issue in real-time, preventing false alarms and ensuring rapid response.
Some operators worry about privacy concerns with AI and video monitoring. How do you address these concerns while maintaining security effectiveness?
Respect for people’s privacy should always be paramount, and restaurant operators must find the right balance between security and customer trust. The best approach is transparency—ensuring that employees and customers understand how security systems work and how data is handled. Privacy features, such as automatic face blurring, can help protect individuals’ identities while still allowing operators to monitor for security threats. Remote monitoring solutions ensure that security professionals only intervene when a real issue is detected, reducing unnecessary surveillance and respecting privacy boundaries. Additionally, strict access controls can be put in place to limit who can view security footage, reinforcing trust while preserving the chain of custody.
What are some common fraud tactics you’ve seen in restaurant environments, and how can advanced security solutions mitigate them?
Fraud in restaurants takes many forms, from fake refunds and chargebacks to employee theft at the register. One of the most effective ways to combat fraud is integrating POS data with remote video monitoring. If a suspicious refund is processed, a manager can instantly access the relevant footage to verify the transaction.
Many restaurants struggle with employee theft. What technologies or strategies do you recommend to minimize these losses?
Employee theft is a challenge for many restaurant operators, but a combination of analytics, POS integration, and remote monitoring can significantly reduce risks. Security cameras linked to POS transactions allow managers to quickly review footage of any suspicious register activity, while remote monitoring teams can perform random audits to deter dishonest behavior. However, technology alone isn’t enough. Employee awareness training is essential for reinforcing a culture of honesty and accountability, making it clear that theft is not worth the risk.
Restaurants need real-time insights on operations and customer behavior. How can security solutions also serve as business intelligence tools?
Security technology isn’t just about protection—it’s also an incredibly powerful tool for business intelligence. AI-powered cameras can help track foot traffic patterns, peak hours, and dwell times, helping restaurant operators optimize staffing levels and improve customer service. Drive-thru monitoring solutions analyze bottlenecks, providing insights into how service times can be improved. By leveraging security technology beyond its traditional role, restaurants can make smarter, data-driven business decisions.
Drive-thrus are becoming more data-driven. How can security solutions help optimize drive-thru speed and efficiency?
The drive-thru has become a critical revenue driver for many restaurants, and AI-powered cameras combined with remote monitoring solutions can make them even more efficient. Cameras track vehicle movement, detect bottlenecks, and provide real-time alerts if orders take too long. AI-powered license plate recognition can identify repeat customers and support loyalty programs, while virtual guards can assist with customer disputes and monitor suspicious behavior without requiring on-site staff involvement. By integrating these security solutions with POS data, restaurants can optimize service speed and enhance the customer experience.
How does remote auditing through security cameras help restaurants maintain brand standards and operational excellence?
Remote auditing through security cameras is particularly useful for restaurants looking to stay on top of brand standards and operations without constantly being on-site. By using existing security camera systems, restaurant operators can check in on cleanliness, food prep, customer service, and overall compliance without disrupting the flow of business. If something’s off—whether an employee skips a key hygiene step or a location falls short on presentation—it can be caught early and corrected before it becomes a bigger issue. Plus, it’s a great way to spot trends, share best practices, and ensure every location runs smoothly, all while reducing the time and costs of in-person inspections.
What are some examples of restaurants successfully using Interface’s solutions to enhance security and operations?
One example is Panda Express, which was losing hundreds of thousands of dollars due to POS-related shrink and false alarm penalties. Store managers were frequently called in the middle of the night for unnecessary police dispatches–an issue that was frustrating, costly, and, at times, unsafe. To solve this, Interface installed an interactive monitoring system with live video and two-way audio, allowing trained security professionals to verify alarms in real time. This eliminated false alarms, saving the company over $100,000 per year, while also improving security at the registers. Employees were also given access to a discreet voice-down feature, allowing them to call for help in high-risk situations without escalating conflicts on the floor.
Another example is MOD Pizza, which sought a modern, cost-effective security solution for its 420+ locations. Instead of juggling different systems, they partnered with Interface to install an integrated security platform featuring cloud-based video management, video-verified alarms, and network video recorders (NVRs) to streamline footage from both new and existing cameras. The results? A 95% drop in false alarm costs and a 15% reduction in overall security expenses. On top of that, the remote monitoring system gave MOD Pizza leadership the ability to check in on store operations anytime, from anywhere, improving oversight and ensuring consistency across locations.
Yet another example is WKS Restaurant Group, which operates nearly 400 restaurants, was spending a fortune on on-site security guards while still struggling with safety concerns. Interface introduced Virtual Guard services, replacing physical security guards with AI-powered cameras, two-way audio, and discreet panic buttons for employees. The impact was huge—security costs dropped by 85%, while employee and customer safety significantly improved. Instead of relying on on-site guards with limited coverage, WKS restaurants are now backed by remote security professionals who can monitor, respond and de-escalate situations in real time, keeping both staff and customers safe.
Looking ahead to the next five years, what major innovations do you predict will shape restaurant security and technology?
One of the biggest shifts we’ll see in restaurant security is the continued move toward cloud-based physical security solutions. Cloud technology will allow multi-location restaurant chains to centrally manage security devices like cameras, alarms, and access controls from a single platform, eliminating the need for separate systems at each location. This makes operations more streamlined and scalable, reducing the complexity for restaurant managers who frequently move between locations. Instead of learning a new security setup every time they transfer, managers will have consistent access through a cloud-based dashboard or smartphone app.
AI-driven video analytics and remote monitoring will also continue to evolve, enabling real-time threat detection, fraud prevention, and even operational insights that help restaurants improve efficiency. With these advancements, restaurant security will become more proactive, centralized, and data-driven, making it easier for operators to protect their employees, assets, and customers while reducing costs and IT workload.
What’s the most important piece of advice you would give restaurant operators looking to future-proof their security and operational infrastructure?
If there’s one piece of advice I’d give restaurant operators, it’s this: don’t go it alone. The right trusted partner will take the headache out of managing security, networking, and compliance, so you can focus on running your business. Technology is evolving fast, and threats are getting more complex—working with a managed services provider that understands your industry means you’ll always stay ahead without juggling multiple vendors. A strong security and network foundation today will keep your business protected, efficient, and ready for whatever comes next.
