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 […]
Smart Asset Strategies: Maximizing Your Restaurant’s Financial Potential

Maximizing Restaurant-Specific Asset Classes for Financial Growth Running a restaurant is more than just serving great food—it’s about making smart financial decisions that keep your business profitable. One key area that often gets overlooked? Asset management. Understanding how different restaurant-specific asset classes impact your financials can help you optimize tax benefits, improve cash flow, and […]
Understanding Repair vs. Improvement Costs in Restaurant Operations

Running a restaurant is a balancing act of managing costs, maintaining equipment, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. One of the most overlooked yet important aspects of financial management is how you classify expenses—specifically, whether a cost falls under repairs or improvements. It might seem like a minor accounting detail, but this classification has a direct […]