Cut Franchise Accounting Costs by Up to 50%
Streamline your franchise’s back-office with expert bookkeeping, AP automation, and financial management
Specialized Back-Office Services for Restaurant Franchises
At Over Easy Office (OEO), our mission is to empower restaurant franchises with unparalleled back-office support, allowing you to focus on growth and success. Our global team of over 400 seasoned restaurant operators, technologists, and financial professionals spans the United States, the Philippines, and Colombia, all dedicated to delivering best-in-class, restaurant-trained services.
We understand the unique challenges faced by restaurant franchises and offer tailored solutions to streamline your operations:
-
implify your payment processes with our automated AP services, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
-
Maintain optimal stock levels and reduce waste through our precise inventory tracking systems.
-
Keep your financial records accurate and up-to-date with our specialized bookkeeping and accounting services.
-
Accurately calculate and record royalty and marketing fees to maintain compliance and transparency.
-
Ensure timely and accurate tax filings with our comprehensive tax preparation services.
The Importance of Robust Bookkeeping in Franchises
Effective bookkeeping is essential for the success of any franchise. It ensures financial transparency, aids in compliance with regulatory requirements, and provides critical insights for strategic decision-making. At OEO, we recognize that franchises operate under a dual-entity structure involving the franchisor and multiple franchisees, each with distinct financial responsibilities. This structure necessitates meticulous accounting practices to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Unique Accounting Needs of Franchises
Initial Franchise Fees
Upfront payments made by franchisees for the rights to operate under the franchisor's brand. These fees are typically amortized over the term of the franchise agreement.
Royalty Fees
Ongoing payments, often calculated as a percentage of gross sales, made by franchisees to the franchisor for continued use of the brand and support services.
Marketing Fund Contributions
Franchisees often contribute to a shared marketing fund to support national or regional advertising campaigns. These funds need to be managed transparently to maintain trust between franchisors and franchisees.
Operations Expenses and Tax Compliance
Each franchise location is responsible for its operating expenses, from payroll to rent and utilities. Proper bookkeeping helps franchisees manage these costs efficiently while ensuring tax compliance at local, state, and federal levels.
rebates
Incentives or refunds provided by suppliers or franchisors, often based on volume purchases or promotional agreements. Accurate tracking of rebates is essential for optimizing cost management and profitability.
Best Practices for Franchise Bookkeeping
Implementing robust bookkeeping practices is essential for the financial success of a franchise. At OEO, we adhere to the following best practices:
-
Utilize uniform accounting software across all franchise locations to ensure consistency in financial reporting. This standardization facilitates accurate consolidation of financial data and simplifies the auditing process.
-
Conduct daily, weekly, and monthly reconciliations of bank statements, credit card statements, and internal records to identify and rectify discrepancies promptly and deliver month-end financials faster. Regular reconciliation helps prevent fraud and ensures the accuracy of financial reports.
-
Maintain a close watch on cash inflows and outflows to ensure sufficient liquidity for operational needs. Effective cash flow management enables franchises to meet financial obligations and invest in growth opportunities.
-
Stay informed about federal, state, and local tax regulations applicable to your franchise. Timely filing of tax returns and compliance with employment laws are critical to avoid penalties and legal issues..
-
Partnering with OEO provides you with access to professional bookkeeping services specializing in franchise operations. Our experts offer tailored solutions, ensure compliance, and provide valuable financial insights.
Seamless Integration with your Financial Software
Restaurant Management Systems
We are trained in systems like Restaurant365, NetSuite, Workday, CrunchTime, Compeat, and many more—all the tools you rely on to manage your operations.
POS
We manage a wide range of POS systems. Whether you're using Toast, Square, Lightspeed, Revel Systems, or any of the other popular platforms, we make sure your sales data flows seamlessly into your financial systems.
accounting Software
Whether you're using Sage, QuickBooks, NetSuite, Xero, or even Restaurant365's accounting module, we've got you covered with seamless integration.
Inventory Management
From EDI validation to R365 Inventory Implementation, we've got you covered to make sure you understand everything that’s happening with the cost of your ingredients.
AP Automation
And when it comes to AP automation, we know the landscape – Ottimate, Stampli, Compeat, Tipalti... and we even have our own powerful solution, designed specifically for frachises.
Third/party Delivery
Validating your sales from third-party platforms is essential, and that's where our specialized talent comes in. We handle delivery sales reconciliation from platforms like Uber Eats, DoorDash, GrubHub, and ezCater, ensuring accuracy and preventing revenue loss.
Simplifying Bookkeeping for Franchises
Common Challenges in Franchise Accounting (and How to Solve Them)
1. Managing Cash Flow
Franchisees often struggle with cash flow due to seasonal fluctuations or unexpected expenses. Using forecasting tools and maintaining a cash reserve can help navigate these challenges.
2. Keeping Up with Regulatory Requirements
Different states and countries have different franchise accounting laws. Staying compliant requires ongoing monitoring and sometimes professional accounting support.
3. Ensuring Royalty Accuracy
Misreported sales data can lead to incorrect royalty payments. Automating this process reduces errors and maintains transparency between franchisors and franchisees.
4. Handling Multi-Location Financials
Franchisees with multiple locations need consolidated financial reporting to track performance across all units. Cloud-based accounting software can simplify this process.
Advancements in technology have made it easier to manage bookkeeping tasks efficiently. Implementing the right tools and services can significantly reduce the administrative burden on franchise owners. At OEO, we utilize cutting-edge technology to streamline your bookkeeping processes, allowing you to focus on what you do best—running your franchise.
FAQs
-
The most common mistake is not separating personal and business finances. This can lead to tax issues and inaccurate financial records.link this and do payments and reconciliations.
-
While any accountant can handle basic bookkeeping, working with a firm specializing in franchise accounting (like Over Easy Office) ensures compliance with franchise agreements and industry best practices.
-
Using cloud-based accounting software like Restaurant365 or QuickBooks can automate many processes, including payroll, royalty calculations, and tax filing.
-
Taxes vary by location, but franchisees typically pay income tax, sales tax, and payroll taxes. Keeping accurate records ensures you file correctly and avoid penalties.
-
We provide specialized accounting services tailored to the unique needs of franchise businesses. From bookkeeping and payroll to compliance and financial reporting, we help franchise owners focus on growing their business while we handle the numbers.
Let’s Streamline you Franchise Accounting Today!
Effective bookkeeping is integral to the success and sustainability of a franchise. By understanding the unique accounting needs, implementing best practices, and leveraging technological tools or professional services, franchise owners can maintain financial health, ensure compliance, and make informed decisions that drive growth and profitability. At Over Easy Office, we are committed to providing the support and services you need to achieve these goals.
✅ Reduce costs
✅ Eliminate errors
✅ Speed up payments
✅ Gain real-time financial insights
Schedule a call to streamline your accounting and operational processes and find the best solution for your franchise.
Get started today! Contact us now for a free consultation and take the first step toward effortless accounting.