In 2025, U.S. import tariffs are set to rise significantly on a wide range of goods, including products critical to the food service industry. From kitchen equipment to imported food items like cheese, seafood, wine, and olive oil, restaurants are bracing for higher costs across their supply chains.
According to the U.S. Trade Representative’s 2025 report, the reinstatement and expansion of tariffs on certain European and Asian imports could increase costs by up to 15% for affected goods. For restaurants that rely on imported ingredients or equipment, this could drastically shrink already-thin profit margins.
Why This Matters for Restaurants
Unlike large chains with sophisticated financial buffers, independent restaurants and small groups may lack the tools to quickly adapt. As prices rise, restaurant owners will need to make tough decisions: adjust menus, renegotiate vendor contracts, or pass costs onto consumers—any of which could hurt competitiveness.
How FinAcct Can Help You Prepare and Stay Ahead
At FinAcct Solutions, we specialize in providing outsourced financial services tailored for the restaurant industry. Two areas in particular can help you navigate this evolving landscape:
Inventory Tracking & Profitability Analysis
By maintaining real-time insights into your inventory costs and usage trends, our services allow you to pinpoint which menu items are most affected by rising import prices—and adjust accordingly before losses stack up.
Fractional CFO Services
Our Fractional CFOs act as strategic partners who help you analyze your cash flow, forecast financial scenarios, and plan for long-term sustainability. They bring the expertise to assess the impact of tariffs and develop financial strategies that maintain profitability without sacrificing quality.
Don’t Wait Until Prices Spike
Preparing now means less disruption later. With proactive financial planning and operational oversight, you can not only weather the storm—but also turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities.
Want to see how we’re helping restaurants stay resilient and profitable in 2025?
Read more about our approach and connect with our team at FinAcct Solutions.
At the core of these issues? Outdated accounting systems and disconnected financial processes.
The Hidden Costs Restaurants Don’t See
Most restaurant owners are excellent at creating unforgettable dining experiences. But when it comes to managing spreadsheets, reconciling multiple platforms, or understanding their own margins, even the best restaurateurs can fall behind.
Here are just a few statistics that spotlight the widespread problem:
12% of restaurant revenue is lost annually due to manual data entry errors and disconnected systems (Hospitality Technology, 2024).
65% of independent restaurants still rely on manual bookkeeping, which often leads to missed tax deadlines and inaccurate payroll (Toast Industry Report, 2023).
Over 120 hours per month are wasted by restaurant teams manually tracking finances and reports (Forbes, 2023).
68% of restaurant owners admit they don’t feel confident interpreting financial reports (Restaurant365 Survey, 2024).
These problems are costing restaurants tens of thousands of dollars a year—not just in missed opportunities, but in poor decision-making due to outdated information.
A New Wave of Financial Strain: Tariffs & Economic Shifts
To make matters more difficult, the U.S. has increased import tariffs on select goods in 2025, impacting everything from food supplies to packaging materials. The American Institute for Economic Research (AIER, 2025) reports that these tariffs may raise costs for restaurants by 5-8% on average, particularly those relying on imported ingredients or equipment.
That means cash flow management, pricing strategy, and inventory tracking are more critical than ever.
How FinAcct360 Will Help
At FinAcct Solutions, we know these challenges too well—which is why we created FinAcct360, a first-of-its-kind financial intelligence platform built specifically for restaurants.
Unlike traditional accounting tools, FinAcct360 combines real-time dashboards, automated alerts, expert human support, and restaurant-specific calculators to give owners everything they need—in one simple interface.
With FinAcct360, you’ll:
✅ Track your KPIs in real-time (sales, labor %, tips, prime costs)
✅ Download reports instantly—P&L, cash flow, and more
✅ Eliminate spreadsheet errors with built-in food and liquor cost calculators
✅ Bring insights about the Sales Channels for seamless data flow
✅ Get reminders for payroll, tax deadlines, and financial approvals
Your Next Step
Financial clarity shouldn’t feel out of reach. With FinAcct360, your numbers finally make sense—and your restaurant finally has room to grow.
📞 Ready to reclaim your time and improve profitability?
Book a free 15-minute consultation with a FinAcct financial expert today to learn more about FinAcct360 and how it can help shape your companies finances.