Even the least tech-centric restaurants rely on electronics. From refrigerators to fryers to cash registers, virtually every part of an establishment’s operations needs power to work, making outages a threatening prospect. As a result, backup generators for restaurants should be standard.

At first, generators may seem like an unnecessary investment, as blackouts seem rare. Data shows the opposite, though. More than 3,000 outages occur annually, each one lasting 49 minutes on average. Generators can protect restaurants’ employees, guests and profits in these situations.

Here are five reasons why owners should invest in generators for their restaurants.

1. Backup Generators Prevent Food Spoilage

Perhaps the most concerning effect of an outage for restaurants is the loss of power in refrigerators and freezers. Food will stay safe in a fridge for just four hours without energy, provided doors remain closed. An outage can easily last longer than that, or a refrigerator could take too long to restore safe temperatures.

As food gets warmer, bacterial growth is more likely. Consequently, if an outage lasts long enough, it could make items unsafe for consumption. Throwing things out would represent wasted money, but serving it would pose a health risk, so there’s no other option.

Generators for restaurants ensure that fridges and freezers maintain safe temperatures, preventing spoilage. Nothing will be wasted, and customers will be safe.

2. Outages Can Drive Customers Away

Power outages bring concerns other than food safety, too. Restaurants can’t cook food without electricity and may not be able to take any new orders, either. Lights, heating and cooling can also go out. All this makes for a remarkably unpleasant customer experience.

People that are in the building when the power goes out will likely leave. New customers won’t enter because they can’t be served until the power comes back on. Every minute that a restaurant doesn’t have electricity is a minute that they’re potentially losing money.

Restaurants with backup generators will avoid this scenario. They can keep serving customers, even if other nearby establishments can’t. Consequently, they could attract new visitors on top of retaining current ones.

3. Restaurants With Power Can Comfort the Community

Many power outages affect the entire neighborhood. If it’s dark or cold outside, these blackouts can be stressful for people in the community. Generators in restaurants can help establishments provide some comfort and relief amid these troubling situations.

Generators with automatic transfer switches can start providing power within seconds, offering immediate relief. People around the neighborhood might start flocking to the restaurant for light, warmth or comfort. For as long as the blackout lasts, it can serve as a shelter for the community.

Being the only place with power on a block also presents the chance for increased profits. As people huddle in, they may buy food while they’re waiting for the rest of the neighborhood to power back up. Even if they didn’t enter with the intent of eating, they may do so.

4. Backup Generators Improve Security

Generators for restaurants also help keep employees, patrons and resources safe. In a blackout, security cameras and alarms won’t work, providing a tempting opportunity for any opportunistic burglars. If power automatically switches to a backup generator, criminals won’t have any window of opportunity.

Maintaining power can also help improve safety while people are in the restaurant. If the lights go out, people may not be able to see where they’re going. Since restaurants are full of obstacles like furniture, kitchen appliances and potentially slippery floors, this can lead to injury.

Backup generators also prevent sudden voltage changes that an outage could cause. Electrical problems can shock nearby people or even create fire hazards, so this added safety is a considerable benefit.

5. Backups Can Improve Restaurant Reputation

Generators can help sustain or even improve a restaurant’s reputation. Since a sudden power failure causes an unpleasant dining experience, it can drive customers away for good. It can give the eatery a reputation for being unreliable.

Maintaining constant power prevents these undesirable pictures from forming in customers’ heads. If a restaurant is one of the few buildings in a neighborhood with electricity during a blackout, it can foster a positive reputation. People will remember it as being dependable.

When a business has backup power, it demonstrates that it takes things seriously, which customers will appreciate. People will know the restaurant cares about its patrons and employees.

Generators Are a Must for Any Restaurant

Any restaurant owner should invest in a backup generator. Without a secondary power source, businesses leave themselves open to various problems, from food safety to unhappy customers. Backup power has the opposite effect.

Modern restaurants can’t operate without electricity, so they should ensure they always have it. Generators provide the reliability they need. After a few outages, these machines could pay for themselves.

Emily Newton is the Editor-in-Chief of Revolutionized Magazine. She has over three years experience writing for the food and beverage industry.