An Outsourced Accounting Partner Serves Up Success for Multi-Unit Restaurant and Franchise Operators

At a glance

• The main takeaway: Multi-unit restaurant and franchise operators wear many different hats and could benefit from outsourcing their accounting function to an experienced professional partner.
• Impact on your business: By enlisting the help of an outsourced accounting firm, restaurant and franchise operators can improve efficiencies, streamline their financial house, improve profitability, and gain strategic insights that can drive long-term growth.
• Next steps: Schedule a consultation with Aprio if you are interested in exploring outsourced accounting solutions for your business.

The full story:

Running a multi-unit restaurant or franchise operation is a complex balancing act, including managing prime costs, forecasting cash flow, and making data-driven decisions. With tight margins and increasing financial complexities, operators should consider partnering with an outsourced accounting team to streamline their financial operations, improve profitability, and gain strategic insights.

Here are seven reasons why enlisting the help of an outsourced accounting team can be a game-changer for restaurant and franchise operators.

1. Expertise in restaurant and franchise financials

Outsourced accounting firms that specialize in the restaurant and franchise industries contribute a deep understanding of financial best practices, regulatory requirements, and key performance indicators (KPIs) that drive profitability. These firms can help owners and operators:

• Ensure accurate financial reporting tailored to restaurant and franchise operations.
• Implement industry benchmarks and financial modeling for better decision-making.
• Provide insights into sales activity by order mode, prime cost impact, and overhead efficiency.

When you partner with a sector-specific team, you don’t have to deal with a learning curve for understanding the challenges you face every day. Instead, you can get right down to business and determine ways to improve efficiencies and drive growth in your restaurant or franchise operations.

2. Cost-effective alternative to in-house teams

It’s expensive to hire and maintain a full in-house accounting department. Outsourcing helps owners and operators eliminate the costs of full-time salaries, benefits, and training while providing access to top-tier financial experts. With an outsourced team, restaurant and franchise operators pay for the services they need, scalable to the size and growth stage of their business.

3. Advanced technology and automation

A best-in-class outsourced accounting team integrates cutting-edge restaurant and franchise technology to automate processes, reduce manual errors, and enhance financial visibility. For owners and operators, these tools may include:

• Cloud-based accounting systems for real-time financial insights.
• AI-driven forecasting for cash flow and expense projections.
• Automated accounts payable and payroll for improved accuracy and efficiency.

4. Scalability and flexibility for growth

Multi-unit restaurant and franchise operators often expand rapidly by adding new locations or acquiring brands over the course of just a few years. An outsourced accounting team offers owners and operators flexible solutions that scale with business growth, ensuring:

• Seamless onboarding of new locations into financial reporting systems.
• Consistency in financial controls across multiple entities.
• Strategic financial planning to support expansion and investment decisions.

Outsourced accounting teams are agile and can scale their solutions and expertise as your growth needs evolve over time.

5. Streamlined risk management and compliance

Tax regulations, labor laws, and financial reporting requirements are constantly evolving. An outsourced accounting partner can help restaurant and franchise operators stay compliant by:

• Ensuring sales tax, payroll tax, and corporate tax filings are accurate and on time.
• Maintaining internal controls to prevent fraud and financial mismanagement.
• Implementing best practices in financial governance to satisfy investors and lenders.

When you’re in rapid growth mode, it’s important to make regulatory compliance a priority. An outsourced accounting partner can help you mitigate risk for your business, employees, and guests.

6. Data-driven decision-making

In the fast-paced world of restaurants and franchises, owners and operators need real-time financial insights to drive performance. An outsourced accounting team delivers:

• Custom financial dashboards with actionable insights.
• Profitability analysis by location, order mode, and daypart.
• Scenario planning for pricing strategies and cost control.

7. More time to focus on growth and operations

Most restaurant and franchise operators are focused on delivering great hospitality to their guests. But the business side of running a restaurant or franchise is also critical, and it can be difficult to balance both duties over the long term.

By outsourcing their accounting function, owners and operators can shift their attention away from financial paperwork and toward:

• Enhancing the guest experience and operational efficiency.
• Strengthening brand positioning and marketing strategies.
• Expanding into new markets with a clear financial roadmap.

The bottom line

An outsourced accounting team isn’t just a service provider — it’s a strategic partner that can help multi-unit restaurant and franchise operators maximize profitability, streamline financial processes, and scale effectively. By leveraging specialized expertise, advanced technology, and industry best practices, restaurant and franchise operators can gain greater financial clarity, reduce risk, and get back to doing what they love most: surprising and delighting the guest, which in turn will grow their business.

Are you hoping to optimize your financial operations and take your restaurant or franchise to the next level? Schedule a consultation and find out how Aprio’s Restaurant, Franchise, and Hospitality team can help.

Related Resources

• Financial Statement Audit Preparation of Your Restaurant or Franchise: Steps and Best Practices
• New Year Growth Blueprint for Franchise Industry Leaders