Dozens of New Hampshire businesses have been affected by a nationwide ransomware attack.
This is not affecting the dining experience, according to restaurant proprietors, but it is causing issues with gift cards.
With a special on gift cards right before Mother’s Day, this is one of The Beach Plums’ busiest seasons.
Since nearly two weeks ago, however, none of the restaurant’s locations have been able to issue new gift cards due to a nationwide ransomware attack on NCR, a provider of many restaurant point-of-sale systems.
Robert Lee, the proprietor of The Beach Plum Restaurant, stated, “It’s completely out of our control, which is what makes it so frustrating.” We anticipate to begin issuing them within a few days, but NCR has been surprisingly uncommunicative.
Tom Boucher, CEO and proprietor of Great New Hampshire Restaurants, stated, “The majority of our regulars are completely understanding.” “I’m more concerned about those who want to give us a try for the first time but believe we’re not holding up our end of the bargain.”
Tom Boucher stated that all 900 of his restaurants are experiencing difficulties with gift cards, loyalty points, and payroll.
“I hope people have patience and realize that this is not a New Hampshire restaurant issue, but rather an NCR issue,” said Boucher.
NCR stated in a statement to News 9 that it is working to restore applications and improve its security.
“While in-restaurant purchases and transactions continue to operate, affected customers have limited access to specific Aloha cloud-based and Counterpoint functionality, which has hindered their ability to administer restaurant administrative functions. “NCR is concurrently establishing alternative functionality for customers, restoring all affected data and applications, and enhancing its cyber security protections,” the company said in a statement.
Restaurant proprietors are frustrated by what appears to be an endless series of roadblocks.
“We had two and a half years of the pandemic, a year of inflation, and a year of trying to find employees, and now that we’re finally getting back to normal, we’re hit with this,” said Boucher. “But you know what, we persevere, and we figure it out.”
Mike Somers, president and chief executive officer of the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association, expressed optimism that the situation will be resolved this week.
Somers said in a statement, “It is hoped that this situation will be resolved by midweek, but it appears the process will be burdensome for the affected small businesses.” Unfortunately, the deadline for resolution has been extended multiple times, and we trust it will not be extended again.
These effects differ from case to case.
At The Beach Plum, old gift cards can be redeemed, but new ones cannot be issued.
At the Copper Door, however, there are widespread issues with gift cards.