Why Restaurant Bookkeeping Isn’t Like Everyone Else’s (And Why It Shouldn’t Be)

Bookkeeping might seem like a one-size-fits-all service, but if you own or manage a restaurant, you already know that couldn’t be further from the truth. Restaurants operate on tight margins, face constant changes in ingredient costs, and juggle a mix of inventory, staffing, and third-party platforms. Restaurant bookkeeping isn’t just different. It needs to be.

Here’s what sets restaurant bookkeeping apart from standard bookkeeping, and how we help our restaurant clients stay in control and profitable.

Food Cost Percentage: Watch It Like a Hawk 

Food prices fluctuate constantly. If you’re not adjusting your menu pricing and portion sizes, you’re either losing money or missing profit. We track food cost percentages closely and give you the numbers you need to stay profitable and competitive.

Menu-Level Tracking 

We can also track the cost of each menu item individually. This gives you the clarity to raise prices when necessary, run profitable specials, and make changes based on actual performance.

Spoilage: Quietly Eating Into Profits 

Spoilage and slow-moving items are easy to overlook. We help track waste so you can cut costs, simplify your menu, and make smarter purchasing decisions.

Gas and Electricity: More Than Just Overhead 

In food service, energy costs directly affect food prep. We monitor gas and electric use because these numbers matter when calculating true food costs.

Condiments and Disposables: The Small Stuff Adds Up 

Napkins, straws, ketchup packets. These items feel small, but waste adds up fast. We track these costs and help you put controls in place where needed.

Separate Supplies From Food 

Most suppliers put food and supplies on the same invoice. If these aren’t separated in your books, your numbers are wrong. We cleanly separate and categorize so your reports are accurate and meaningful.

Third-Party Sales Channels: Are They Really Worth It? 

Uber Eats and DoorDash can help boost visibility but eat into profits with high fees. We track those sales and expenses separately so you can clearly see what these platforms are doing for you.

What Makes ProfitWise Different 

At ProfitWise, we don’t just log numbers. We help you understand them. Our hands-on approach pinpoints where you’re losing money and highlights opportunities to save money. Each month, we meet with you to review your income, expenses, and profit so you always know what your financials are saying.

We go beyond typical bookkeeping by showing you exactly where your money is going—and how to keep more of it. From identifying wasteful spending to helping you avoid costly mistakes, our goal is simple: to help restaurant owners hold onto more of their hard-earned profit.

We built ProfitWise specifically for business owners like you, who want more than basic bookkeeping. You get accurate books, real-time visibility, and expert guidance. And we keep you focused on what matters most: making your restaurant more profitable, stable, and sustainable.

If you're a restaurant owner and you're not getting this kind of support from your bookkeeper, it's time to make a change. Contact ProfitWise today and let us show you what smart, restaurant-specific bookkeeping can do for your bottom line.

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