The leading accountants in Leeds for restaurants, cafes, and takeaways
Based on 92 Reviews
Take the burden off your shoulders
You didn’t start your restaurant or cafe business because you wanted to stress over handling financial records, audits, and taxes. You started because you love cooking, experimenting with new dishes, and watching the smiling faces of your customers as they enjoy your dishes.
But now you’re faced with the stress of doing all these things yourself to keep your business alive and running smoothly. Well, what if you didn’t have to do it yourself?
Accountants for restaurants, cafes, and takeaways
Are you a food service business? Leave the accounting to the experts while you run your business in peace.
Restaurants and Cafes
We partner with restaurants and cafes of all sizes, providing expert accounting support to help manage finances and improve profitability.
Takeaways
We work with independant takeaway owners, who are looking for reliable support with VAT, payroll, and cash flow management.
Food Wholesalers
We help food wholesalers streamline their finances, manage complex inventory costs, and stay on top of their cash flow.
Let us do it for you
At MSF Associates accountants in Leeds, we are qualified professional accountants with years of experience serving the hospitality industry and delivering excellent service to our clients. This is why we understand you perfectly and know just how to help you.
We’ve made it our mission to not just give you what you need but what you want. You deserve to run your business without worrying over your finances. And we are here to give you the advice and more in-depth details as to why and how we get the figures we present, and what you can actually do in the future to put yourself in a better position.
How we help
Bookkeeping and Accounts
We keep your financial records up to date and within HMRC adequate records requirements.
Business Compliance Review
We analyse your records, interpret the data, and provide clear advice to guide the decisions that drive your success.
Tax Investigations
We make investigations into the UK's tax regulations and keep you informed so you never pay more taxes unexpectedly.
Payroll
Ensuring that your staffs are paid on time and regulating your staffing costs to keep you profitable.
VAT
Helping you understand which foods are subject to VAT and ensuring your VAT returns are filed correctly.
Research and Development
Identifying eligible expenditure within your business. Helping ensure you claim back as much as possible.
Get started with us
Step 1
To get the process started, book a meeting with an expert from our team
Step 2
On the meeting we will discuss our plan to help you streamline your business
Step 3
We sign you up into our client portal and give you absolute peace of mind
Free Download
Five Biggest Money Mistakes Food Service Businesses Make
(and how to avoid them!)
This eBook highlights the five biggest financial mistakes food and hospitality businesses make and offers practical steps to avoid them, helping you stay out of the 60% that fail in their first year and build a thriving, successful business.
Our promises to you
Timely reports and transparency
Quick and friendly customer service
Peace of mind about your finances
Proper taxes
Proper expert advice
Advice on how to ensure maximum profits
Book a call with an expert
Be the happy, free, passionate and successful restaurant owner. Leave the tedious financial jargon to us. Work with MSF Associates today!
Latest Articles
Every cafes or restaurant has its high points – the Saturday night rush, the Sunday brunch buzz – but what about the slow Monday mornings or rainy midweek afternoons? Those quieter spells can sneak up on you and, if you’re not prepared, they can make cash flow feel like a rollercoaster. One minute you're flying; the next, you’re wondering how to cover payroll. Having worked with restaurants and cafes for well over two decades, we've seen the tried–and–tested tactics that food businesses have used to manage their cash flow more effectively during those quieter times. 1. Understand your slow periods Start by identifying the patterns. Are Tuesday lunchtimes always quiet? Do you see a slump in January or during school holidays? Once you’ve got a clear picture of your quiet spells, you can plan around them – from staffing levels to promotions. A basic weekly sales tracker and a quick look at your POS data can go a long way here. You don’t need fancy forecasting software – just some consistency. 2. Plan your costs around your income In an ideal world, costs would only go out when money is coming in – but we all know that’s rarely the case. Still, there are a few ways to bring the two into better alignment: Speak to suppliers – Can you shift to fortnightly payments instead of weekly? Or get a bit of leeway after a particularly busy or quiet month? Avoid big purchases in low-income months – Hold off on large equipment upgrades or new menu launches until you’ve built a bit of a buffer. Use standing orders or Direct Debits for fixed costs – This helps you keep track and avoids any nasty surprises. 3. Trim the wastage – without cutting corners When cash is tight, it’s tempting to go on a cutting spree. But rather than slashing hours or skimping on ingredients (which your regulars will notice), look at where wastage creeps in: Are you over-ordering perishables? Is staff downtime being spent productively? Could portions be reviewed to avoid food being scraped into the bin? Even small tweaks can protect your margins when footfall is low. 4. Run low-cost promotions to drive footfall You don’t need to slash prices to get people through the door. Some of the best-performing offers we’ve seen include: “Bring a friend for free coffee” – works well for cafés during weekday mornings. Limited-time lunch specials – a smaller menu at a fixed price can be both cost-effective and appealing. Off-peak loyalty rewards – double stamps or exclusive treats for regulars who visit at quieter times. The key is to promote these offers smartly: social media, a simple chalkboard outside, or a note on receipts can all do the job. 5. Build a buffer during busy periods When things are booming, it’s easy to feel invincible – but don’t spend it all at once. Set aside a percentage of your peak-time profits to carry you through the leaner weeks. If your business is seasonal (think coastal cafes or Christmas-heavy venues), this becomes even more important. A separate “rainy day” pot can give you some breathing room when the tills aren’t ringing as often. 6. Keep talking to your accountant A good accountant won’t just handle the numbers – they’ll help you spot trends, flag cash flow risks early, and advise on financing if needed. We work with cafes, restaurants, and takeaways across Leeds and beyond – and we’ve seen it all, from bustling street food pop-ups to long-standing high street staples. So if you’re feeling the pressure of patchy income or you just want a second pair of eyes on your numbers, we’re here to help. Final thought Quiet spells are part and parcel of running a food business – but with planning and the right systems, they don’t have to derail your cash flow. We've seen that small adjustments, made consistently, can make all the difference between just surviving and staying comfortably ahead. If you’d like to get a better handle on your cash flow and make your quieter periods work harder for you, book a call with our team today . Restaurants, cafes, and takeaways can benefit greatly from working with a specialist accountant. If you hadn’t noticed already, we are specialist accountants in Leeds for food service businesses, so unlike most accountants, we have years of experience working with businesses just like you. If you're interested in finding out more about how we can help your restaurant become more profitable, book a call with one of our accounting experts .
Every restaurant or café owner has been there – you’ve got a fully booked night ahead, the kitchen’s prepped, the staff are ready – and then the dreaded phone call (or worse, no call at all). A table cancels last–minute, or simply doesn’t show up. One or two cancellations might not seem like a big deal, but over time, they chip away at your profits. Worse, they leave you with empty tables that you can’t easily refill. So, what can you do to protect your profits without putting customers off? Here are some practical steps that many of the businesses we work with have found useful. 1. Set Clear Booking Policies It sounds obvious, but a lot of cafés and restaurants don’t have a proper cancellation policy – or if they do, it’s hidden in tiny print. Make sure you’ve got a clear, fair policy that sets expectations from the start. For example: Free cancellations up to 24 or 48 hours before A charge for no–shows or late cancellations (usually a set amount per person) Be upfront about it on your website, booking confirmation emails, and menus if you can. When people know there’s a charge, they’re much more likely to let you know if their plans change. 2. Consider Deposits for Peak Times For busy evenings or large group bookings, it’s fair to ask for a deposit – say £10 or £20 per head – when the reservation is made. This can be deducted from the final bill, or kept if they don’t show. We've found that some businesses find this feels awkward at first, but most customers understand it’s a way to protect your business. Especially after the last few years, diners are a lot more used to paying deposits than they used to be. 3. Use Online Booking Systems If you’re still relying on a diary and phone calls, it might be time to upgrade. Online booking systems like OpenTable, ResDiary, or simple booking widgets on your website can: Collect deposits automatically Send reminders to customers Make it easy for customers to cancel or amend bookings properly This takes the burden off your front–of–house team and reduces the number of no–shows. 4. Confirm and Remind A simple reminder text or email 24 hours before the booking can make all the difference. People forget – plans change – but a nudge gives them the chance to cancel properly rather than just not turn up. If you’re using an online system, these reminders can usually be automated, saving you even more time. 5. Keep a Waiting List For particularly busy services – Friday nights, Sunday lunches – keeping a simple waiting list can help. If you get a cancellation, you’ve got a list of people you can call straight away to fill the gap. It’s not foolproof, but even if you fill one cancelled table a night, that’s a big difference over the course of a month. 6. Review Your No–Show Rate Keep an eye on how often no–shows are happening. If it’s regular – or you notice certain times, days, or booking sizes are worse – it might be time to tighten your policies. You could also consider rewarding regular customers who always turn up with loyalty perks or priority bookings. Positive reinforcement works just as well as penalties sometimes. Final Thought No–shows and last–minute cancellations are frustrating – but you don’t have to just accept them as part of the job. A few simple systems can protect your profits, keep your service running smoothly, and make sure your tables are full more often than not. We work with cafés, restaurants, and takeaways every day – helping you not just with the numbers, but with practical advice to make your business more profitable. If you’d like a chat about improving your margins and getting more out of your busy periods, book a call with one of our team today . Restaurants, cafes, and takeaways can benefit greatly from working with a specialist accountant. If you hadn’t noticed already, we are specialist accountants in Leeds for food service businesses, so unlike most accountants, we have years of experience working with businesses just like you. If you're interested in finding out more about how we can help your restaurant become more profitable, book a call with one of our accounting experts .
Running a café, restaurant, or takeaway is hard work. You’re juggling long hours, staff, suppliers, and customers – and probably don’t have much spare time to think about company structures. But if you’re growing, or planning to, how you set up your business can make a real difference. If you’ve been wondering whether you should incorporate your restaurant – or if it’s even worth the hassle, here’s what you need to know. Why Incorporate? If you’re currently operating as a sole trader, you are the business. There’s no legal separation between your personal assets and your business liabilities. If something goes wrong – a customer claim, a supplier dispute – your personal savings, your home, even your car could be at risk. Setting up a limited company creates a legal divide. The business becomes its own entity, responsible for its own debts and obligations. Your personal risk is generally limited to the amount you invest in the business, giving you a bit more peace of mind. Other benefits of incorporating include: Tax efficiency : Limited companies often pay corporation tax, which can work out cheaper than income tax once profits grow. Credibility : Suppliers, landlords, and lenders tend to take limited companies more seriously. Opportunities to grow : Bringing in partners or investors is much simpler with a company structure. Pension contributions : A limited company can pay into a director’s pension and treat it as a business expense, a tax-efficient way to save for the future. When’s the Right Time? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here are a few signs it might be time to think about it: You’re earning a decent profit : Once your business is pulling in more than you need to live on, you can benefit from taking a salary and dividends, often a more tax-efficient way to pay yourself. You’re hiring staff : If you’re growing your team, it can make sense to have that extra legal protection. You’re investing in new equipment or premises : Having a limited company can make it easier to secure finance or leases. You’re worried about risk : The more customers you serve, the more potential for something to go wrong – and that’s when the protection of a limited company can be worth its weight. How to Incorporate The good news? It’s not as complicated as you might think. Here’s what’s involved: Choose a name : It must be unique and follow Companies House rules (no offensive words, no claims of royal patronage unless you’ve got permission). Register with Companies House : You can do this online for £12 – or we can handle it for you as part of our service. Set up a business bank account : A limited company must have its own bank account – it’s the company’s money, not yours. Understand your new responsibilities : As a director, you’ll need to file annual accounts, a confirmation statement, and a corporation tax return. But don’t worry – that’s where we come in. Update your records : HMRC, your suppliers, your landlord – they all need to know you’re now a limited company. Common Myths (Busted) “It’s too expensive.” The registration fee is a one-off £12. Accountancy fees might be a little higher for a limited company – but the tax savings often more than cover the difference. “It’s only for big businesses.” Not true. Plenty of small cafés, pop-ups, and food trucks operate as limited companies, it’s about protection and planning for the future. “It’s too complicated.” It can feel daunting, but with the right support, it’s much simpler than you might think. We guide plenty of food businesses through it every year. Final Thought If your restaurant or café is growing, or if you simply want the reassurance of protecting your personal assets, it could be the right time to think about incorporation. If you’d like a no-pressure chat about whether it’s right for you, we’re here to help. Book a call with one of our accounting experts and let’s see how we can help you grow with confidence. Restaurants, cafes, and takeaways can benefit greatly from working with a specialist accountant. If you hadn’t noticed already, we are specialist accountants in Leeds for food service businesses, so unlike most accountants, we have years of experience working with businesses just like you. If you're interested in finding out more about how we can help your restaurant become more profitable, book a call with one of our accounting experts .
