How to Calculate California Restaurant Tax
Calculating restaurant tax in California isn’t as simple as applying a flat rate across every item. Between differing rules for prepared versus non-prepared food, varying local tax rates, and multiple ordering channels, even straightforward transactions can introduce complexity. For operators, understanding how and when tax applies is essential for compliance, accurate reporting, and a smoother […]
Restaurant Fraud Prevention Tactics Every Operator Should Know
As operators manage more transactions, third-party ordering sites, tighter margins, tariffs, and more, restaurant fraud prevention has become a bigger priority. Fraud isn’t always a dramatic event. In fact, it typically shows up as small inconsistencies that are easy to overlook, especially during a busy shift or across locations. Unauthorized refunds, fake vendor invoices, restaurant […]
How to Prevent Internal and External Theft in Restaurants
Internal and external theft in restaurants is a serious issue. Not only does it create financial loss, it disrupts operations. While some losses stem from employee actions, others come from customers, vendors, or organized criminal activity. Even small inconsistencies in cash handling, inventory tracking, or transaction reporting can add up over time. Preventing theft starts […]
Restaurant Audit: What to Review and How Often to Do It
In a busy restaurant, it’s easy for small issues to hide in plain sight. A few inventory items missing here and a few dollars in extra vendor charges there may not seem important to track down in the moment, but over time, those small gaps can eat away at your bottom line. The challenge for […]
America’s Strange But True Alcohol Laws By State
Running a restaurant involves more than just scheduling and inventory management—you also have to play by some truly bizarre rules when it comes to alcohol. What’s legal in one state could get you fined (or even shut down) in another, and a clear understanding of these alcohol laws by state is even more important for […]
Ensure Restaurant Safety & Compliance Under the Human Foods Program
In October 2024, the FDA rolled out its revamped Human Foods Program (HFP), a landmark initiative designed to unify food safety and nutrition regulations. For restaurants, this program represents a significant shift that not only demands attention and compliance, but also provides opportunities to improve safety, efficiency, and trust. Understanding the program’s implications—and designing and […]
How Small Restaurants Can Prepare for Seattle’s 2025 Minimum Wage Hike
Seattle’s restaurant industry is poised for a seismic shift in 2025 as small businesses brace for a significant wage increase. On January 1, 2025, the city’s minimum wage will rise to $20.76 per hour, aligning wages for small and large employers alike. This change is driven by the elimination of the “total compensation credit,” which […]
Understanding California’s SB 478 and Its Impact on Restaurants
New legislation can bring both challenges and opportunities. One such example is California’s “Honest Pricing Law” (SB 478), which went into effect on July 1, 2024. The law affects a wide range of businesses, from hotels and resorts to concert ticket retailers. For restaurant owners and managers, understanding and adhering to this law—which aims to […]
California Wage Law: How AB 1228’s Affects Quick-Serve Restaurants
In recent years, California has led the movement to increase the minimum wage. Assembly Bill 1228 (AB 1228), which went into effect April 1, 2024, requires quick-serve restaurants to pay employees a minimum wage of $20/hour. In addition, AB 1228 established the nation’s first Fast Food Council, a consortium of foodservice workers, government appointees, and […]