Accounting support for restaurants, cafés & hospitality businesses
Buying, opening or running a hospitality business involves many financial decisions. Food costs, wages, rent, GST, equipment, stock, delivery-platform fees and cash flow can all have a significant effect on profitability.
We support restaurants, cafés, coffee shops, takeaways, pizza shops, franchise food outlets and other hospitality businesses — whether you are buying your first business, opening a new location, expanding, or wanting better financial information from your current one.
Thinking of buying a restaurant, café or hospitality business?
Buying a hospitality business can be a major financial commitment. One of the most important questions is:
Does this business really make the profit the seller says it makes?
We can review the financial information available and help you understand what the numbers are showing before you buy, and identify matters that may need further investigation.
The extent of our review depends on the information available and the scope agreed with you. We do not provide formal business valuations.
Planning the purchase or a new opening
Once you understand the business, the next question is whether the numbers work for you. Our Business advice and cash flow support can help with:
- Cash-flow projections and financial forecasts
- Business plans and profit forecasts
- Expected operating costs
- Working-capital calculations
- Financial information requested by banks or lenders
Lending decisions are made by the bank or lender; we do not guarantee finance approval.
Setting up the accounting side
Getting systems organised from day one makes ongoing management easier. We assist with Bookkeeping and Xero support, GST setup and reporting, and payroll accounting.
Our GST and tax compliance service covers GST returns and other tax obligations, while Annual accounts and tax returns covers your year-end and income tax requirements.
Food costs, gross profit and performance
For a restaurant or café, sales alone do not tell you whether the business is performing well. Where your records allow, we compare results over time and help you see where the money is going — spotting changes in food costs, wages or margins that need attention.
Payroll and employer accounting
Our Payroll services assist with payroll processing, PAYE, payday filing, KiwiSaver, deductions, reconciliations and employer records.
We do not provide employment-law advice or advice on employment disputes.
Franchise and landlord reporting
Franchise fees, royalties, marketing levies, KPI and management reports — we prepare regular or tailored reports from your records for franchisors, lenders or landlords. See our Franchise Accounting page.
Growing to multiple locations
Where records are structured appropriately, we review each outlet as well as the whole business — comparing sales, wages, food costs, expenses and profitability between sites.
Equipment, fit-out and assets
Ovens, refrigeration, coffee machines, furniture, POS systems and fit-outs — we assist with tax treatment, depreciation, finance arrangements and Investment Boost where requirements are met.
Tax rules change; review significant purchases against the rules at the time.
Frequently asked questions
Should I talk to a Chartered Accountant before buying a café or restaurant?
It can be useful to involve a Chartered Accountant before completing the purchase so you can better understand the financial information, cash requirements and financial commitments involved.
What financial information should I ask the seller for?
Useful information may include financial statements, GST returns, POS reports, payroll records, wage costs, food and beverage costs, rent, operating expenses and other supporting accounting information.
Can you check the seller's sales figures?
We can compare sales information with available supporting accounting records such as POS reports, GST returns and financial statements. What can be checked depends on the records available and the scope of work agreed.
How much working capital might I need?
This depends on the particular business. Cash-flow forecasts can help estimate the funds that may be required for wages, suppliers, rent, GST and other operating costs after you take over or open the business.
Talk to us before you buy, open or expand
Talk to Yugraj Singh Mahil CA about your hospitality business — by phone, video call or email, anywhere in New Zealand.
The information on this page is general in nature and does not take into account your individual circumstances. The scope of any financial review depends on the information available and the work agreed with us. We do not provide formal business valuations, legal advice or employment-law advice. Finance decisions are made by the relevant bank or lender, and we do not guarantee or provide assurance that finance will be approved.
Last reviewed: October 2026.