Coffee Shop

Tax & advisory for Sydney coffee shops

A coffee shop looks simple. The accounting is not. GST on milk versus beans, staff award rates, and whether to franchise or open a second site — each one has a right answer.

Where most businesses leave money on the table

These are the strategic gaps we close — the ones that cost real money when they are ignored.

Franchise vs independent

Buying into a franchise gives you a system but takes your margin. Staying independent keeps your margin but requires you to build the system. We model both.

Lease structuring

Your rent is your biggest fixed cost after wages. Lease term, rent reviews, make-good clauses, and fit-out amortisation all affect your real cost of occupancy.

Exit and sale preparation

Coffee shops sell on a multiple of weekly take plus goodwill. But only if the books are clean, the lease is assignable, and the margins are demonstrable.

What we deliver

Every deliverable is principal-signed. Not delegated, not templated — built for your situation.

  • Tax return with coffee-shop-specific deduction review
  • Franchise vs independent financial comparison
  • Lease analysis and occupancy cost modelling
  • Business valuation for sale or partnership
  • Entity structure review as you grow
  • Cash flow forecasting and break-even analysis

The result

You understand your cost structure, your lease exposure, and what the business is actually worth. Decisions are made from numbers, not instinct.

When I decided to sell, they had the books so clean the buyer's accountant had nothing to question. Settlement took three weeks.

Former coffee shop owner, Marrickville

Common questions from coffee shops

Is milk GST-free when I buy it for the shop?

Fresh milk purchased as an ingredient is GST-free. However, the hot coffee you sell using that milk is subject to GST. Your bookkeeping needs to distinguish between GST-free purchases and GST-inclusive sales — otherwise your BAS will be wrong.

How much should I be spending on cost of goods?

Industry benchmark for a coffee shop is 25–35% of revenue on cost of goods (beans, milk, food, packaging). If you are above 35%, pricing or waste is likely the issue. We track this monthly so you catch drift early.

What is my coffee shop worth if I want to sell?

Valuation typically uses a multiple of adjusted net profit or a multiple of weekly sales, depending on the market. Clean books, a transferable lease, and demonstrated margins are what buyers pay a premium for. We prepare all three.

Need bookkeeping handled too?

Done-for-you bookkeeping so the numbers are clean before the strategy starts.

Ready to talk?

15 minutes. No obligation. We assess whether our specialisations match your situation. If they don't, we'll tell you straight.