Seasonal Business Accounting Strategies for Restaurants: Manage Cash Flow and Taxes Year-Round
Your Busy Season Doesn’t Care About Your Books—But You Should Let’s be honest: if you run a restaurant, you’re probably juggling a million things—seasonal menus, staffing headaches, inventory that seems to vanish overnight. Keeping the books in order? It often drops down the list. But here’s the thing: your business’s rhythm isn’t steady year-round, and […]
Import Documentation Compliance Requirements for Restaurants: A Practical Guide for Smooth Operations
You’re Not Just Running a Kitchen — You’re Managing a Global Supply Chain You wanted to make amazing food. Somehow, you also ended up ordering specialty olive oil from Sicily, truffle paste from France, or a rare spice blend your grandmother swore by—and now you’re knee-deep in shipping labels, Harmonized Tariff Codes, and CBP regulations. […]
Tariff Relief Without the Headache: What Small Restaurant Owners Need to Know About Tariff Exclusion Requests
“Wait—You Can Ask for an Exemption?” Yes, you actually can. And no, this isn’t some obscure corporate loophole reserved for mega food chains with lobbyists on speed dial. If you’re a small or mid-sized restaurant importing goods subject to tariffs—say, olive oil from Italy, seafood from Asia, or even those custom ceramic plates from Portugal—you […]
Marketplace Seller Tariff Implications for Restaurant Owners: What to Know Before You Ship
Wait, Tariffs? For My Restaurant? You probably didn’t open your restaurant to become a tax expert. But if you’ve started selling branded sauces online or moved into meal kits through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, or Shopify, you’re not just a restaurant anymore. You’re a marketplace seller. And that small shift? It comes with a […]
How Tariffs Are Sneaking Onto Your Menu (And What You Can Actually Do About It)
You’re Not Imagining It—Things Are Getting Pricier Ever felt like your food costs keep climbing no matter how tight your vendor negotiations are? That bulk order of tomatoes, flour, or fryer oil just doesn’t stretch the way it used to. You’re not alone—and no, it’s not just inflation whispering through your food orders. It might […]
Small Business Tariff Exemptions: A Cost-Saving Guide for Restaurant Owners
Can Small Restaurants Really Get Tariff Breaks? Yes—and Here’s How Let’s not sugarcoat it: food costs are brutal right now. Whether you’re importing specialty olive oil or relying on imported packaging, you’ve felt the pinch. And that “pinch” feels more like a slow grind some days. But here’s something many small restaurant owners don’t realize—they […]
Could Your Restaurant Be Owed a Section 301 Tariff Refund? Here’s What You Should Know
You Might Be Leaving Money on the Table—Literally Let’s start with a question that’s probably not on your radar:Did your restaurant import any equipment, supplies, or ingredients from China between 2018 and now? If the answer is yes—or even maybe—then you might be owed a refund from the U.S. government. No gimmicks, no shady fine […]
Outdoor Seating Area Segregation: Designing a Functional and Welcoming Space
The Great Divide: Why Separating Your Outdoor Seating Matters If you own a restaurant or café with outdoor seating, you already know how valuable that space is. But here’s the question: Is your seating area working as well as it could be? The way you divide and arrange your outdoor space can impact everything from […]
Understanding 5, 7, and 15-Year Property Classifications for Restaurants
The 5, 7, and 15-Year Property Classifications: What Every Restaurant Owner Should Know Running a restaurant is a delicate balance of managing costs, maintaining quality, and making smart financial decisions. One area that often gets overlooked? How the IRS categorizes your assets. The way your restaurant’s equipment, furniture, and improvements are classified can make a […]
Understanding Residual Value: A Key Factor for Restaurant Owners
Why Residual Value Matters in the Restaurant Business Running a restaurant is more than just crafting great menus and providing exceptional service—it’s also about making smart financial decisions that ensure long-term sustainability. One often-overlooked factor in restaurant accounting is residual value, which can significantly impact your bottom line. Residual value refers to the estimated worth […]
