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Raffi Yousefian with The Fork CPAs
Webinar/Podcast

Raffi Yousefian with The Fork CPAs

Welcome to the Corner Booth!

Join host Chris Tripoli and guests for a podcast for anyone who is starting a restaurant business, growing an independent restaurant business, or dreaming about starting an independent restaurant business.

Learn from successful restaurateurs who share their stories WHY they got into the business and HOW they created and built their winning concepts.

Corner Booth is a production of RestaurantOwner.com.

So grab your favorite beverage, have a seat, and listen in!








This episode of Corner Booth dives deep into the world of restaurant accounting and financial management for independent restaurant operators. Hosted by Chris Tripoli of RestaurantOwner.com, the discussion features Raffi Yousefian, founder and CEO of The Fork CPAs, an outsourced controller service specializing in restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. The conversation emphasizes the importance of accurate bookkeeping, proper chart of accounts setup, and leveraging technology like QuickBooks Online and Margin Edge to streamline financial reporting.

Raffi shares his journey from early exposure to restaurant bookkeeping to building a firm that now serves over 500 restaurants nationwide. He explains how outsourced controller services provide real-time reporting, weekly financial snapshots, and monthly P&L reviews to help operators monitor prime costs, labor cost management, and occupancy cost percentages. The episode highlights why understanding key metrics such as sales per square foot, guest count tracking, and check averages is essential for optimizing profitability and ensuring long-term success.

The podcast also addresses current industry challenges, including rising labor costs, food cost inflation, and the competitive restaurant marketplace. Topics such as tip credit elimination, service charge models, credit card surcharges, and tip fatigue are explored, along with strategies for maintaining profitability amid rising menu prices and customer pushback. Raffi emphasizes the need for accurate balance sheets, current ratio analysis, and maintaining capital to effectively navigate these hurdles.

Additionally, their discussion underscores the role of technology and operational efficiency in modern restaurant finance. From cloud-based POS systems to inventory management software, operators are encouraged to adopt tools that automate data entry and deliver actionable insights. By focusing on prime cost reporting, weekly snapshots, and sound financial health checks, independent restaurant owners can make informed decisions that drive profitability, enhance guest experience, and sustain growth in today’s fast-changing restaurant industry.

Key Takeaways

  • How outsourced controller services transform restaurant accounting – Learn why outsourcing financial reporting, bookkeeping, and P&L management can help independent restaurant operators save time and improve profitability.

  • The power of technology in restaurant finance – Discover how tools like QuickBooks Online, Margin Edge, and cloud-based POS systems streamline accounting processes and enable real-time reporting.

  • Essential KPIs for profitability – Understand the importance of prime cost reporting, sales per square foot, guest count tracking, and check averages in driving financial health and operational success.

  • Strategies to navigate rising costs and industry challenges – Hear expert insights on managing labor cost increases, food inflation, tip credit elimination, and competitive urban markets.

  • Best practices for financial planning and growth – Explore how accurate balance sheets, current ratio analysis, and growth capital planning can position restaurants for expansion and long-term sustainability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What’s the best way for independent restaurant operators to manage accounting and financial reporting?
The podcast explains why outsourcing controller services and leveraging modern tools can transform your financial operations. Listen to the full episode to learn how this approach saves time and improves profitability.
Which KPIs matter most for restaurant profitability and growth?
From prime cost reporting to sales per square foot and guest count tracking, the podcast breaks down the essential metrics every operator should monitor. Hear the full discussion to learn how these KPIs impact your bottom line.
How can restaurants handle rising labor costs, food inflation, and competitive markets without losing profitability?
The episode explores practical strategies for navigating these challenges, including menu pricing adjustments and operational efficiencies. Listen now for expert advice on staying profitable in a tough market.
Should restaurants adopt service charges, credit card surcharges, or stick with traditional tipping models?
This controversial topic is unpacked in detail, with insights into customer perception and compliance. Find out what works best for your concept by listening to the podcast.
How can weekly financial snapshots and real-time reporting help operators make better decisions?
The podcast highlights why timely reporting is critical for controlling prime costs and improving profitability. Tune in to learn how weekly insights can change the way you run your restaurant.

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