First Published: 30 March 2023
How To Manage Restaurant Finances
Managing the finances of a restaurant is a critical aspect of running a successful business. It involves monitoring income, expenses, and cash flow, analysing financial statements, and using financial ratios and metrics to evaluate the performance of the business. In this article, you will learn how to manage restaurant finances to make you more sales and profits.
There are several key financial ratios that are commonly used by restaurateurs to evaluate the performance of their businesses, such as cost of goods sold, labour cost percentage, prime cost, break-even point, food cost percentage, contribution margin, EBITDA, and gross profit margin.
These ratios can provide valuable insights into the financial performance of a restaurant and help identify areas that need attention.
Cash flow management and forecasting are also important aspects of managing a restaurant’s finances. Forecasting can help to anticipate future cash flow shortages or surpluses and make adjustments to business operations accordingly.
It is also important to have a good balance between having enough cash to cover the needs of the business, but also not having too much cash that is not being put to use.
Managing the finances of a restaurant can be a complex task, as there are many different expenses to keep track of and revenue streams to manage.
Here are a few tips for managing the finances of a restaurant:
1. Create a Budget:
Establish a budget for the restaurant that includes all of the costs associated with running the business, including rent, payroll, food and beverage costs, and marketing expenses.
2. Track Expenses:
Keep track of all expenses, both fixed and variable, by using accounting software or hiring a bookkeeper.
3. Keep Detailed Records:
Keep detailed records of all income and expenses, including sales revenue, cash flow, and inventory levels. This will help you understand the financial performance of the restaurant and identify any areas that need improvement.
4. Monitor Cash Flow:
Keep a close eye on cash flow, and make sure that there is enough money coming in to cover expenses. This will help you avoid any financial problems and make sure that the restaurant remains profitable.
5. Understand Your Profit Margins:
Understand the profit margins for each menu item and make adjustments as necessary. It will help you to identify which dishes are more profitable and which are not.
Review financial statements regularly: Review financial statements such as income statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements regularly to understand the financial health of your restaurant and identify areas that need attention.
6. Seek Professional Advice:
Consult with an accountant or financial advisor to help you with financial planning and tax planning, to help ensure the long-term financial health of the restaurant
These are some of the basic steps you can take to manage the finances of a restaurant, keeping in mind that each business has different situations, so it’s important to seek advice and evaluate your own situation before making any significant changes to your financial management strategy.
What Are The Top 3 Expenses Of A Restaurant Business?
The top three expenses of the restaurant business are:
Food and beverage costs: This includes the cost of ingredients, as well as any packaging and storage costs.
Labour costs: This includes the wages and benefits of employees, such as servers, cooks, and dishwashers.
Occupancy costs: This includes rent or mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance for the restaurant space.
Of course, depending on the type of restaurant, size, and location, some of the costs can vary. For example, rent or mortgage may be a significant expense for some restaurants, while others may have a higher labour cost because of their level of service, such as having more servers or chefs.
Additionally, certain businesses may have to spend on specific expenses like equipment costs. Restaurants require a lot of specialized equipment such as ovens, refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, and other kitchen supplies. Over time, these items may need to be replaced or repaired, and this can be a significant expense.
It’s important to take into account that there may be other significant expenses, such as utilities, cleaning and maintenance, inventory, and equipment costs, that should also, be considered when managing a restaurant’s finances.
Another important expense to consider is marketing and advertising. These costs can include things like creating and distributing flyers, running ads in local newspapers or on social media, and maintaining an online presence through a website and social media accounts. Marketing and advertising are important because they help attract new customers and keep the restaurant top of mind with existing ones.
Lastly, inventory is an important expense to consider. Restaurants need to stock a wide range of ingredients, supplies, and equipment to keep their operations running smoothly. This includes items like food, beverages, and even basic items like napkins and utensils.
Managing inventory levels and keeping accurate records of what is coming in and going out of the restaurant is important to keep the business running efficiently and make sure there are no shortages or overstocked items
As you can see, there are many different expenses that must be considered when running a restaurant, and it’s important to keep track of all of them in order to ensure the financial health of the business.
How Do You Calculate Cash Flow For A Restaurant?
Cash flow is the amount of cash coming in and going out of a business, and it’s an important metric to track for any business, including a restaurant.
Here’s how you can calculate cash flow for a restaurant:
1. Begin by creating a cash flow statement. This should include a list of all cash inflows (money coming into the business) and outflows (money going out of the business) for a given period of time, such as a month or a quarter.
2. Next, identify all cash inflows, such as revenue from sales, rent, or other income. Make sure to include any cash received from loans or investments in this section.
3. Then, identify all cash outflows, such as payments for inventory, payroll, rent, utilities, and other expenses. Be sure to include any loan or credit card payments in this section.
4. Calculate the net cash flow by subtracting total cash outflows from total cash inflows.
Repeat the process for different periods of time and compare the results. This will help you understand your cash flow trends and identify any issues that need to be addressed.
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Tracking Cash Flow
Tracking cash flow is important because it allows you to plan for unexpected expenses and manage the cash on hand. For example, if you know that you will have a slow period in terms of cash flow, you can plan to cut back on expenses during that period of time or seek out a loan or line of credit to help you manage cash flow in the short term.
You can use excel sheets, accounting software, or online tools to track the cash flow. Also, consider that having a professional accountant or financial advisor can be helpful in reviewing and guiding the cash flow of your restaurant.
Cash Flow Ratios
Another way to analyse the cash flow is to use cash flow ratios. This is usually used to measure the ability of the business to generate cash in order to sustain its operations, debt, and capital expenditure. Here are some examples of ratios:
Operating cash flow ratio: This ratio compares the cash flow from operations to the net income. A ratio of greater than 1 means that the business is generating enough cash to cover its operating expenses.
Current ratio: This compares the current assets to the current liabilities. A ratio of greater than 1 means that the business has enough liquid assets to cover its short-term obligations
Quick ratio: Similar to the current ratio, but this one excludes inventory from current assets, it’s considered a better measure of liquidity.
Debt service coverage ratio: This ratio compares the cash flow from operations to the debt service. A ratio of greater than 1 means that the business has enough cash to cover its debt obligations.
Analyzing the ratios allows you to get a quick overview of your business cash flow situation and identify areas that need attention.
It’s also important to note that cash flow is just one of the many financial metrics that are important to monitor, it should be considered alongside other financial statements such as income statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements in order to understand the overall financial health of the restaurant.
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Cash Flow Forecasting
Another way to analyse the cash flow is by forecasting. Cash flow forecasting involves estimating future cash inflows and outflows for a specific period of time, such as a month or quarter. This can help you anticipate future cash flow shortages or surpluses, and make adjustments to your business operations accordingly.
Forecasting typically involves looking at historical financial data and making assumptions about future trends and events. For example, you might use sales data from the past year to predict future sales or take into account upcoming events or holidays that might impact your business.
When forecasting, it’s important to consider both external factors, such as changes in the economy or competition, as well as internal factors, such as changes in your business operations or staff.
Forecasting can be done manually using Excel sheets or with the help of forecasting software, which can be more accurate, efficient, and easy to use.
It’s also important to remember that cash flow forecasting is not an exact science, and it’s important to be flexible and adjust your forecast as needed based on changes in the business or external factors.
Forecasting, along with monitoring and analyzing cash flow ratios and statements, is an important tool to help keep your restaurant financially healthy. Knowing the expected cash flows, you can make better decisions about managing the operations, payroll, inventory, and other aspects of the business.
What Is A Good Profit For A Restaurant?
The profit margin for a restaurant can vary depending on a number of factors, including the type of restaurant, its location, and the overall state of the economy.
Generally speaking, most restaurants aim for a profit margin of around 3% to 6%. However, some restaurants may have higher or lower profit margins depending on their specific business model.
For fine dining restaurants, their profit margins tend to be smaller, between 2-4% as they tend to have higher operational costs, more experienced and well-paid staff, more exotic ingredients, and more sophisticated service.
On the other hand, fast casual and quick service restaurants tend to have higher profit margins, between 6-8%. These businesses typically have lower operational costs, simpler menus, and less labour-intensive service.
It’s important to note that, even though a restaurant has a low-profit margin, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not making money. It could be that the restaurant is focusing on a high-volume business, where they make more money by selling more items at a lower profit margin.
It’s also worth noting that, each restaurant is unique, and therefore, it’s important to evaluate your own business situation before making any assumptions about what a “good” profit margin might be for your restaurant.
There are also many other factors that affect profit, such as sales volume, cost of goods, and overhead expenses. It’s also important to focus on factors such as increasing revenue, managing expenses, and having an efficient operation, which can have a greater impact on the overall financial performance of the restaurant.
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Conclusion
Overall, managing the finances of a restaurant requires attention to detail, an understanding of financial concepts, and the ability to make informed decisions based on financial data.
It’s also important to have professional advice and guidance from an accountant or financial advisor to ensure compliance with regulations and laws, and to tailor the financial management to the specific needs of the restaurant business.
By following these principles, restaurant owners can ensure that their business is financially healthy, and in a position to grow and thrive.
FAQ’s
How do you do restaurant finance?
Managing restaurant finance involves several key steps to ensure profitability and sustainability. First, create a detailed business plan that outlines your financial goals, revenue streams, and expense estimates. Track daily sales and expenses meticulously to monitor cash flow. Use accounting software tailored for restaurants to manage your financial records efficiently. Develop a dependable system for managing inventory to minimise waste and manage expenses effectively. Make sure to routinely examine critical financial documents, including the profit and loss statement to identify profitability, the cash flow statement to assure you of a positive cash balance, and the balance sheet. Establish a budget and adjust it periodically based on performance. Lastly, consider consulting with a financial advisor with experience in the restaurant industry to optimize your financial strategy.
How much net profit should a restaurant make?
The net profit margin for a restaurant typically ranges between 5% to 10%. However, this can differ significantly depending on variables such as the place, type of food, and how efficiently the business operates. Fine dining establishments might have lower margins due to higher overhead costs, whereas fast-casual restaurants might achieve higher margins due to lower operational costs. To achieve a healthy net profit, restaurants must manage costs carefully, including food, labour, and overhead expenses. Efficient operations, effective marketing strategies, and maintaining high customer satisfaction also contribute significantly to maximising profitability. Ultimately, consistent financial monitoring and strategic adjustments are vital to sustaining a healthy net profit.
How do you do a financial analysis for a restaurant?
Conducting a financial analysis for a restaurant involves several steps. It’s essential to gather and organise financial documents like income, balance, and cash flow statements. Analyse the income statement to assess revenue streams, cost of goods sold (COGS), gross profit, and operating expenses. Compare these figures to industry benchmarks to identify areas for improvement. Examine the balance sheet to understand the restaurant’s assets, liabilities, and equity, providing insight into its financial health. Evaluate cash flow statements to ensure the restaurant maintains sufficient liquidity. Additionally, calculate key financial ratios, such as the current ratio, quick ratio, and debt-to-equity ratio, to gain a comprehensive understanding of financial performance and stability.
What are the 7 restaurant specific ratios?
1. Food Cost Percentag: It measures the cost of food relative to food sales. It is calculated as (Cost of Goods Sold / Total Food Sales) x 100. Aiming for 28% to 35% is typical.
2. Beverage Cost Percentage: This is similar to the food cost percentage but for beverages. It is calculated as (Cost of Beverages Sold / Total Beverage Sales) x 100. Targets vary but often fall between 18% and 24%.
3. Labour Cost Percentage: Represents labour costs as a percentage of total sales. It is calculated as (Total Labor Costs / Total Sales) x 100. Ideally, this should be around 30% to 35%.
4. Prime Cost: The sum of food, beverage, and labor costs. It is calculated as (Food Cost + Beverage Cost + Labor Cost). Keeping this below 60% to 65% of total sales is ideal.
5. Gross Profit Margin: The gross profit margin is calculated as the percentage of revenue that exceeds the cost of goods sold. It is a critical financial metric that reflects the efficiency of a company’s production and pricing strategies. It is calculated as (Total Sales—Cost of Goods Sold) / Total Sales x 100. A higher percentage signifies better profitability.
6. Operating Expense Ratio: This shows operating expenses as a percentage of total sales, calculated as (Operating Expenses / Total Sales) x 100. It helps in understanding overhead cost efficiency.
7. Table Turnover Rate: Measures how often tables are occupied and vacated during a specific period. Calculated as (Number of Guests Served / Number of Tables Available). Higher turnover rates generally indicate better efficiency and potentially higher revenue.
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