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Cost recovery audit · multi-unit restaurant groups

Paid invoices. Unverified charges.

We check distributor invoices, rebates, delivery settlements, card fees and recurring vendor contracts against the underlying records. Where the evidence supports a claim, we help pursue approved corrections and credits.

Built for owners and finance teams managing multiple restaurant locations. Findings are organized by vendor, expense category and location.

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The free diagnostic determines fit and scope; it is not a completed invoice audit.

  • Evidence first Compare the invoice with the contract, not just last month.
  • By location Keep differences visible rather than hiding them in group totals.
  • Through resolution Track authorized claims to a credit, correction or closure.

Six areas we test

Where costs slip through.

Charges can clear accounts payable and still be inconsistent with an agreed rate, earned rebate or service contract. We concentrate the audit on the categories and records that warrant review.

  • Distributor invoices Test invoiced item prices, pack sizes and surcharges against the price agreements and purchasing records in scope.
  • Rebates & allowances Trace expected rebates, promotional allowances, vendor credits and deductions to the records that show whether they were earned and applied.
  • Delivery settlements Reconcile platform payouts, fees, refunds and adjustments with order activity and the operator's agreed terms.
  • Processing & disputes Review processor statement charges against agreed pricing; identify chargeback patterns and evidence or deadline gaps.
  • Utilities & waste Check rates, service schedules, meters and recurring fees by property for billing variances or services that no longer fit.
  • Recurring contracts Review linen, telecom, software, maintenance, security and other contracted costs selected for the engagement.

The money logic

Three stages. Not one savings number.

A suspected variance is not cash recovered. We keep the evidence and financial status visible so nobody mistakes a theoretical opportunity for an achieved result.

  1. Potential

    A discrepancy or opportunity identified for review. It may not withstand validation.

  2. Confirmed

    A finding supported by contracts, invoices, statements or an agreed baseline.

  3. Realized

    A recovery received, an expense reduced or a measured improvement reflected in results.

Our approach

From statement to resolution.

A structured path from scope and testing to a documented claim. You control which disputes and vendor changes proceed.

  1. Scope

    We agree on the locations, vendors, review period, source records and testing depth. An initial diagnostic helps determine where a targeted review is justified.

  2. Verify

    We compare charges with the relevant contracts, pricing schedules, statements and transaction records. A change from last month alone is not proof of an overcharge.

  3. Prioritize

    You see the evidence, financial status, response windows and expected effort. You approve which matters proceed to vendor follow-up.

  4. Resolve & confirm

    For authorized claims included in the engagement, we coordinate the vendor follow-up and track credit decisions and corrections. We confirm outcomes against later statements or invoices.

What you receive

A decision-ready findings record.

You receive the review scope, source evidence, financial status, vendor-level exceptions and priority actions. It is designed for a controller to validate and an owner or CFO to act on.

Illustrative structure: not client results
Expense areaExceptionStageNext decision
Distributor / Site AInvoice rate vs. pricing schedulePotentialLocate contract amendment
Rebate / Site BEligible credit not shownConfirmedApprove vendor claim
Processing / Site CFee correction confirmedRealizedVerify next statement

Who benefits

Built for complexity across locations.

The strongest fit is a group with enough vendor, contract and location variation that its regular accounting controls cannot answer every pricing question.

Good reasons to review

  • Several locations share distributors but do not always receive identical pricing.
  • Contract rebates, credits or platform settlements are difficult to trace.
  • Multiple vendor renewals and fee structures complicate finance oversight.

Reasons to narrow the scope

  • Your team already checks the relevant invoices against contract terms.
  • A single disputed charge is better handled directly with the vendor.
  • There are no usable records or agreements to support the proposed testing.

Starting the engagement

A free diagnostic. A defined proposal.

We start by understanding your locations, vendor relationships and the concerns worth testing. The diagnostic is a limited first look at one question; deeper record analysis begins only after the engagement is agreed.

  1. Discuss the operation. Approximate location count, primary vendors, expense categories and where existing controls stop.
  2. Define the work. We identify records needed, review periods, test depth, report format and recovery responsibilities.
  3. Confirm the terms. Before the audit: you receive written scope, fees and approval requirements. Sensitive document access is agreed before records are transferred.
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Common questions

Before you commit.

Does the audit include every vendor and location?

No. We agree on the locations, cost categories, periods and testing depth before work starts. A full line-by-line audit is a different commitment from a targeted sample review.

Can you recover past overcharges?

Potentially. A past charge may qualify for a credit when the contract, source records and applicable deadlines support the claim. A disputed amount is not a recovered amount.

Will you contact vendors on our behalf?

For claims you authorize, vendor coordination can be included in the agreed recovery scope. You retain approval over material changes and disputes.

Do you replace our controller or procurement team?

No. Your team continues to own purchasing and payables. We provide a focused review across contracts, invoices and locations, with an evidence trail your team can evaluate.

How are fees determined?

We discuss the relevant categories and records first, then provide a written proposal covering the audit fee, any recovery-related fee, deliverables and whether ongoing monitoring is included.

What happens if there is little to recover?

You still have a record of the categories tested, the exceptions reviewed and the basis for closing or pursuing those items. A clean result is not represented as a savings figure.

A restaurant dining room set for service, rattan chairs, a long banquette and woven pendant lamps

Know what the records support.

Start with a free diagnostic to identify where a focused cost recovery audit may be worthwhile.

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