i'm thinking for example people who own 3, 10...100 restaurants or franchising. Obviously it's impossible for them to check 24/7. What's the mindset and practical solution for this?
There is inherent risk to running a business and building a team of folks to help you grow it.
That said, hiring the right people is paramount to your success and reducing the risk of theft or abuse.
Hire people for their integrity rather than their skill set. Almost anyone can be taught skills of the trade, but no one "learns" ethics on the job.
Lastly, many franchises have systems in place to reduce the risk of employee theft with verified cash drops, deposit tracking, and such. The cash in the register drawer is *ALWAYS* at risk of walking away. That's why many retailers require cash drops when the register reaches a certain amount.
-Shaun