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Food & Beverage CPA Services | Scale CPA - Restaurant Accounting Experts

Accounting and CPA Services for
Restaurants

Specialized accounting and tax services for restaurants, coffee shops, cafes, breweries, and food companies. From inventory management to tax optimization, we handle the financial complexities so you can focus on your craft.

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Food & Beverage Industry by the Numbers

Understanding the unique financial landscape of the food service industry

3-5%
Average Industry Profit Margin
30-35%
Food Cost Percentage
25-35%
Labor Cost Percentage
60%
Restaurants That Fail Within First Year

Comprehensive Food & Beverage Accounting

Full-stack accounting and tax services designed specifically for the unique challenges of food service businesses

Restaurant Bookkeeping

Specialized bookkeeping for restaurants, cafes, and food service businesses with industry-specific chart of accounts and reporting.

  • Daily sales reconciliation
  • Multi-location consolidation
  • POS system integration
  • Credit card processing reconciliation
  • Tip reporting and allocation

Inventory Management

Advanced inventory accounting and cost control systems to optimize your food costs and improve profitability.

  • Perpetual inventory tracking
  • Food cost analysis
  • Waste tracking and reporting
  • Recipe costing
  • Vendor management

Financial Analysis & KPIs

Industry-specific financial metrics and analysis to help you make data-driven decisions and improve operations.

  • Food cost percentage tracking
  • Labor cost optimization
  • Revenue per square foot
  • Average ticket analysis
  • Seasonal trend reporting

Tax Compliance & Planning

Comprehensive tax services including tip reporting, payroll taxes, and strategic tax planning for food businesses.

  • Tip credit compliance
  • Sales tax management
  • Payroll tax optimization
  • Multi-state tax filing
  • Equipment depreciation strategies

Cash Flow & Forecasting

Forward-looking financial planning to help restaurants manage seasonality and stay profitable year-round.

  • Weekly/monthly cash flow forecasting
  • Scenario planning for seasonal shifts
  • Break-even & profitability analysis
  • Capital expenditure planning
  • Debt & financing strategies

Business Growth Advisory

Strategic advisory services to help you scale your food business, open new locations, or optimize existing operations.

  • Expansion financial modeling
  • Franchise development
  • Cash flow optimization
  • Pricing strategy analysis
  • Investment planning

Unique Food Service Challenges We Solve

The food and beverage industry faces distinct accounting and operational challenges that require specialized expertise

Complex Inventory Tracking

Managing perishable inventory, recipe costing, and waste tracking requires sophisticated systems and real-time monitoring to maintain profitability.

Tip Reporting & Compliance

Navigating complex tip reporting requirements, tip credits, and ensuring compliance with ever-changing labor regulations.

Cash Flow Management

Seasonal fluctuations, daily cash reconciliation, and managing multiple payment methods create unique cash flow challenges.

Multi-Location Complexity

Consolidating financials across multiple locations while maintaining individual location profitability analysis.

Complex Tax Compliance

Managing sales tax on prepared foods, tip reporting requirements, payroll taxes, and multi-state compliance for growing businesses.

Thin Profit Margins

Operating with industry-low profit margins requires precise cost control and financial optimization strategies.

Trusted by Leading Food & Beverage Brands

From coffee roasters to fine dining establishments, we're proud to serve innovative food businesses

Industry Expertise You Can Trust

Specialized Knowledge in Restaurant Accounting

Our team has deep experience working with restaurants, cafes, breweries, catering companies, and food manufacturers. We understand the unique accounting challenges and opportunities in the food service industry.

From family owned coffee shops to multi-location franchises, we've helped food businesses optimize their financial operations and achieve sustainable growth.

Work With Us

Our Restaurant Clients Include:

  • Fine dining restaurants
  • Fast-casual chains
  • Coffee shops and cafes
  • Breweries and distilleries
  • Catering companies
  • Food trucks and mobile vendors
  • Specialty food manufacturers
  • Franchise operations

Stay Compliant & Competitive

Navigate complex regulations while optimizing your financial performance

Tip Credit Optimization

Maximize tip credit benefits while ensuring full compliance with federal and state tip reporting requirements and minimum wage laws.

Sales Tax Management

Handle complex sales tax scenarios including prepared food, alcohol, catering, and multi-jurisdictional requirements.

Equipment Depreciation

Optimize depreciation strategies for kitchen equipment, renovation costs, and technology investments to maximize tax benefits.

Worker Classification

Ensure proper classification of employees vs. contractors, especially for delivery drivers and seasonal staff.

Franchise Reporting

Meet franchisor reporting requirements while maintaining accurate books for tax and operational purposes.

Financial Reporting & Analysis

Generate monthly financial statements, cash flow projections, and profitability analysis to support strategic decision-making and investor relations.

Client Success Stories

See how we've helped food and beverage businesses improve their financial operations

23%

Food Cost Reduction

Helped a coffee shop reduce food costs through better inventory tracking and vendor management, improving profitability across all locations.

$180K

Tax Savings Achieved

Implemented strategic tax planning for a multi-location coffee shop expansion, utilizing bonus depreciation and credits to save significantly on their tax liability.

40%

Time Savings

Automated bookkeeping processes for a multi-location cafe chain, reducing administrative time and improving financial reporting accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about our food and beverage accounting services

Do you work with multi-location food businesses?

Yes, we specialize in multi-unit financial consolidation and location-level reporting. Our systems handle everything from franchise operations to regional restaurant chains, providing both consolidated and individual location insights.

Can you integrate with POS and payroll software?

We integrate our accounting software with popular restaurant systems like Toast, Square, Clover, ADP, Gusto, and more. This automation reduces manual data entry and improves accuracy in your financial reporting.

How do you handle tip reporting and compliance?

We ensure full compliance with tip credit regulations, proper allocation methods, and accurate payroll tax reporting. Our team stays current with federal and state tip reporting requirements.

What makes food service accounting different?

Food businesses face unique challenges like inventory management, thin margins, complex labor laws, and seasonal fluctuations. We provide industry-specific expertise in areas like recipe costing, waste tracking, and equipment depreciation.

Do you handle coffee shop accounting and tax planning?

Absolutely. We specialize in coffee shop and cafe accounting, including inventory management for beans and supplies, equipment depreciation, tip reporting, and multi-location franchise accounting for growing coffee businesses.

How quickly can you implement your services?

Most implementations are completed within 2-4 weeks. We'll conduct a thorough onboarding process, set up your chart of accounts, integrate your systems, and provide training to ensure a smooth transition.

Ready to Optimize Your Food Business Finances?

Let our food & beverage CPA experts help you streamline operations, reduce costs, and maximize profitability. Schedule a strategy session to discuss your specific needs.

Schedule Free Strategy Session