Cookie Policy
Understanding how Swiss Chalet uses cookies to improve your online dining experience
Policy Overview
This Cookie Policy explains how Swiss Chalet uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit our website at swisschaletss.com. This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy to understand how we protect your personal information.
1. Introduction
This Cookie Policy explains how Swiss Chalet ("we," "us," or "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website swisschaletss.com. By continuing to browse and use our website, you consent to our use of cookies in accordance with this policy.
This policy covers:
- What cookies are and how we use them
- The types of cookies we employ
- How you can manage your cookie preferences
- Your rights regarding cookie usage
This Cookie Policy should be read in conjunction with our Privacy Policy, which provides additional information about how we collect, use, and protect your personal data.
2. What Are Cookies
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. They contain information about your browsing activity and preferences, helping websites remember your actions and preferences over time.
How Cookies Work
When you visit our website, your browser downloads these small files to your device. The next time you visit the same website, your browser sends the cookie information back to the website, allowing it to recognize your device and provide a more personalized experience.
Types of Cookies by Duration
- Session Cookies: These are temporary cookies that are deleted when you close your browser. They help us track your actions during a single browsing session.
- Persistent Cookies: These remain on your device for a specified period or until you delete them. They remember your preferences across multiple visits.
Types of Cookies by Origin
- First-party Cookies: Set directly by Swiss Chalet's website for functionality and analytics purposes.
- Third-party Cookies: Set by external services we use, such as analytics providers or advertising networks.
3. Why We Use Cookies
Swiss Chalet uses cookies for several important purposes to enhance your online dining experience:
Essential Functionality
Enable core website features like shopping cart persistence, user authentication, and security measures.
Performance Improvement
Analyze how visitors use our site to identify and fix performance issues and improve loading times.
Personalization
Remember your preferences, location for delivery estimation, and customize menu recommendations.
Marketing
Deliver relevant advertisements and track the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns.
4. Types of Cookies We Use
4.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for our website to function properly. They cannot be disabled without severely affecting the functionality of our site.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHPSESSID | Swiss Chalet | Maintains user session state | Session | Browser session |
| cart_items | Swiss Chalet | Stores shopping cart contents | Persistent | 30 days |
| user_location | Swiss Chalet | Stores delivery location for order processing | Persistent | 90 days |
| cookieConsent | Swiss Chalet | Remembers your cookie consent preferences | Persistent | 365 days |
| security_token | Swiss Chalet | CSRF protection for form submissions | Session | Browser session |
4.2 Performance/Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting anonymous statistical data.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users for analytics | Persistent | 2 years |
| _ga_[container-id] | Google Analytics | Contains campaign and session information | Persistent | 2 years |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Distinguishes users for 24-hour analytics | Persistent | 24 hours |
| _gat | Google Analytics | Throttles request rate to Analytics | Persistent | 1 minute |
4.3 Functionality Cookies
These cookies enhance your experience by remembering your choices and preferences.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| preferred_restaurant | Swiss Chalet | Remembers your preferred restaurant location | Persistent | 6 months |
| order_preferences | Swiss Chalet | Stores dietary preferences and favorites | Persistent | 1 year |
| language_preference | Swiss Chalet | Remembers selected language | Persistent | 1 year |
| font_size | Swiss Chalet | Accessibility: remembers font size settings | Persistent | 1 year |
4.4 Targeting/Marketing Cookies
These cookies track your browsing activity to deliver relevant advertisements.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| _fbp | Facebook Pixel for conversion tracking | Persistent | 90 days | |
| fr | Delivers personalized Facebook ads | Persistent | 90 days | |
| ads_prefs | Swiss Chalet | Tracks ad interaction preferences | Persistent | 6 months |
| campaign_source | Swiss Chalet | Tracks marketing campaign effectiveness | Persistent | 30 days |
5. Third-Party Cookies
We work with trusted third-party service providers who may set cookies on our website. These partners help us deliver better services and analyze website performance.
Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our site. Google Analytics collects anonymous information about your visit, including pages viewed, time spent on site, and how you arrived at our site.
Privacy Policy: Google Privacy Policy
We use Facebook Pixel to measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns and to show relevant ads to people who have visited our website.
Privacy Policy: Facebook Privacy Policy
Other Advertising Partners
We may work with other advertising networks to display relevant ads across the internet. These partners may use cookies to track your interests and show personalized advertisements.
6. Cookie Duration
Different cookies remain on your device for different periods:
| Duration | Cookie Examples | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Session Only | PHPSESSID, security_token | Essential for immediate browsing session |
| 24 Hours | _gid | Daily analytics tracking |
| 30 Days | cart_items, campaign_source | Short-term preferences and tracking |
| 90 Days | user_location, _fbp, fr | Location memory and advertising |
| 6 Months | preferred_restaurant, ads_prefs | Medium-term preferences |
| 1-2 Years | _ga, order_preferences, cookieConsent | Long-term analytics and preferences |
7. How to Manage Cookies
7.1 Browser Settings
You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings. Here are instructions for popular browsers:
Google Chrome
- Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner
- Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu
- Click "Privacy and security" in the left sidebar
- Select "Cookies and other site data"
- Choose your preferred cookie settings or click "See all site data" to manage specific sites
Mozilla Firefox
- Click the menu button (three lines) in the top-right corner
- Select "Settings" from the dropdown
- Click "Privacy & Security" in the left panel
- Scroll down to "Cookies and Site Data"
- Use the options to manage or clear cookies
Safari
- Click "Safari" in the top menu bar
- Select "Preferences" from the dropdown
- Click the "Privacy" tab
- Choose your cookie blocking preferences
- Click "Manage Website Data" to view and delete specific cookies
Microsoft Edge
- Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner
- Select "Settings" from the menu
- Click "Cookies and site permissions" in the left sidebar
- Select "Cookies and site data"
- Adjust settings or click "See all site data" for specific management
7.2 Opt-Out Links
You can opt out of specific tracking services:
- Google Analytics: Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
- Facebook: Manage your Facebook Ad Preferences
- General Ad Opt-out: Visit Digital Advertising Alliance Opt-Out
7.3 Our Cookie Consent Tool
When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie consent banner allowing you to:
- Accept all cookies for the full website experience
- Customize your cookie preferences by category
- Reject non-essential cookies
You can change your preferences at any time by clearing your browser cookies and revisiting our site, or by contacting us directly.
8. Consequences of Disabling Cookies
While you have the right to disable cookies, doing so may limit your experience on our website:
Essential Cookies Disabled
- Shopping cart will not function properly
- Unable to place orders online
- Login functionality may not work
- Security features may be compromised
Optional Cookies Disabled
- Loss of personalized menu recommendations
- Need to re-enter location for delivery
- Less relevant advertising
- No analytics to improve site performance
9. Do Not Track Signals
Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that signals to websites that you don't want to be tracked. Currently, there is no industry consensus on how to respond to DNT signals.
Swiss Chalet's current approach to DNT signals:
- We respect your privacy choices and encourage using our cookie consent tool
- Essential cookies will continue to function regardless of DNT settings
- We may update our DNT response as industry standards develop
10. Updates to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. When we make significant changes, we will:
- Post a notice on our website
- Update the "Last Updated" date at the bottom of this policy
- For material changes, provide additional notification via email (if you're subscribed)
We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies.
11. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Cookie Policy or want to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us:
Privacy Inquiries:
For specific questions about cookies and privacy, please include "Cookie Policy" in your subject line.
Response Time: We aim to respond to all privacy inquiries within 30 days.
12. More Information
For additional information about cookies and online privacy, visit these helpful resources:
- All About Cookies - Comprehensive guide to cookies and privacy
- Google Chrome Cookie Help
- Mozilla Firefox Cookie Help
- Safari Cookie Management
- Microsoft Edge Privacy Statement
Stay Informed
Technology and privacy laws are constantly evolving. We're committed to maintaining transparent, up-to-date policies that protect your privacy while providing you with an excellent dining experience. Thank you for trusting Swiss Chalet with your information.
Last Updated: January 2025
This policy is effective as of the last updated date and applies to all users of swisschaletss.com.