When Should You Hire a Restaurant CFO?

MarginEdge recently published a thoughtful piece on the question: When is the right time to bring a restaurant CFO on board?  In their view, the decision depends on scale, complexity, and growth stage. At Accounts International, we agree, but we also believe there are strategic signs that make the decision clearer. Below is our take on when hiring (or engaging) a CFO becomes a wise move, especially in the restaurant sector.

1. Start with the basics, then scale

   • MarginEdge suggests that when finances become too complex for the owner or basic accounting tools, a CFO becomes necessary. 

   • Our perspective: Many restaurant owners start with a bookkeeper or controller that’s smart. But once you’re managing multiple revenue streams, forecasting, margin pressures, and funding requests, a CFO helps unify what’s going on across operations.

   
   

2. When you’re raising capital or expanding

   • The article argues a restaurant CFO is essential when preparing for growth or fundraising. 

   • Our view: Investors look for credible financial leadership. A CFO (fractional or full-time) can build forecasts, models, and reports that earn investor confidence a crucial differentiator in restaurant funding.

   
   

3. When strategic decisions outpace financial clarity

   • MarginEdge notes that a CFO brings clarity around budgeting, forecasting, and high-stakes decisions. 

   • Our perspective: If you’re debating what menu items to cut, whether to open another location, or how to weather cash crunches you don’t want gut instinct alone. A CFO brings data and discipline to decisions.

Determining when to bring in a CFO isn’t about reaching a specific revenue threshold. It’s about crossing complexity thresholds — where growth paths, cash pressures, and strategic decisions demand expert financial leadership.

👉 Read the full MarginEdge article here If you’re wondering whether your restaurant is ready for CFO-level input — whether fractional or full-time — Accounts International would be glad to help you evaluate. Contact us today for a complimentary assessment.