Accounting & Tax Services for Restaurants
Running a restaurant is one of the hardest things you can do in business. The margins are razor-thin, the hours are long, and the last thing you want to worry about at the end of a 14-hour day is whether your books are right. At Steele Martin Jones, we work with restaurant owners across West Tennessee — from locally owned diners and BBQ joints to full-service restaurants and growing multi-location operations. We understand the financial side of this industry because we've been in the weeds with restaurant clients for over 45 years.
Financial Challenges We Help You Solve
We understand the unique financial hurdles facing restaurants. Here's what we help our clients navigate:
Tip Credits and Payroll
Complicated payroll due to tip credit rules, tip pooling, and ensuring accurate employee tip reporting. Mistakes can lead to penalties.
Sales Tax on Food and Beverage
Confusing Tennessee sales tax rules for mixed sales (dine-in, takeout, catering, retail) with varying tax rates.
Food Cost and Cash Flow
Volatile food costs impacting margins, and seasonal/unpredictable cash flow requiring planning for payroll, rent, and vendor payments.
Tax Planning
Restaurant owners often overpay taxes due to lack of year-round planning for deductions like equipment, work opportunity tax credit, and business structuring.
How Steele Martin Jones Works With Restaurants
When you work with us, you get a dedicated CPA who actually understands your restaurant and your numbers. We're not just filing your taxes once a year — we're checking in throughout the year, helping you make better financial decisions, and connecting you with other restaurant owners and local business resources. We're a team that's rooting for your success.
Services for Restaurants
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Talk?
Let's discuss how we can help your restaurants business. Schedule a free consultation with one of our CPAs.