How Leading Hospitality Operators Are Preparing for EOFY.
4/5/25, 11:35 pm
By Ark
EOFY doesn’t feel like a sprint in hospitality. There’s no dramatic finish line, no big announcement. But in well-run businesses, something important is happening.
Operators who stay ahead aren’t waiting on their tax agent to flag issues, they’re already making decisions that protect cash, clean up risk and lock in flexibility for FY26.
Here’s what we’re seeing in cafés, restaurants, accommodation venues and wineries that take EOFY seriously.
Reviewing and Restructuring Asset Financing Before It Gets Expensive
From kitchen appliances to bottling lines, a lot of venues are holding assets that were financed years ago under very different terms. Some are still useful, others are overdue for retirement, but many are just quietly costing money.
“We meant to upgrade last year but got busy” is something we’ve heard more than once this quarter.
What stronger operators are doing:
Replacing assets that no longer justify their holding or maintenance costs
Refinancing major equipment purchases to align with current rates and terms
Timing purchases to qualify for write-offs or fit with depreciation windows
Why it matters:This isn’t just about tax. It’s about making sure your asset base matches your seasonality and funding strategy.
Recalibrating Staff Bonuses and Incentives to Match Reality
Hospitality teams often stretch hard through peak trade, then hit a wall. Bonuses work, but only when they’re aligned with timing, performance, and cash.
“We want to show appreciation but don’t want to hurt next month’s payroll” is a common concern.
How smart operators are solving it:
Splitting bonuses between EOFY and future milestones to balance retention and expense timing
Offering non-cash rewards like RDOs, extra leave or product vouchers
Making bonus timing serve both the P&L and the team morale
Why it matters:The best front-of-house staff and kitchen leads don’t stay for a vague promise. Well-timed incentives show that leadership is paying attention.
Tightening Inventory and Back-of-House Accounts Before They Weigh You Down
Stock control isn’t just about theft or spoilage, it’s about visibility. And right now, some operators are cleaning up years of cluttered shelves, mismatched purchase records and unclaimed supplier credits.
“That box of glassware has been sitting there since 2022, we thought it was still in use ” is the kind of thing we’re hearing during EOFY prep.
What top performers are doing:
Writing down slow-moving stock and removing expired or damaged items
Reconciling petty cash drawers and supplier statements that have been ignored
Cleaning up “pending” tabs in the accounting software that no one owns anymore
Why it matters:Inventory bloat hides the truth. A clean back-of-house gives owners sharper control over margin and ordering going forward.
Sorting Out Compliance Before It Gets Uncomfortable
EOFY is the right time to get ahead of compliance risk before small things snowball into bigger ones. We’re seeing STP mismatches, FBT blind spots, and asset registers that haven’t been updated in over a year.
“I didn’t even know we had to report that fridge in the FBT category” — that’s how these problems usually start.
How proactive teams are responding:
Verifying staff classifications and finalising payroll reports early
Updating casual contracts and STP entries to avoid mismatches
Reviewing shared-use assets and entertainment spend for FBT exposure
Closing out open queries before ATO systems go into EOFY mode
Why it matters:A small inconsistency today becomes a red flag in three months. Getting ahead now clears the runway for more strategic decisions later.
Final Take
EOFY doesn ’t need to feel loud, but it should feel deliberate.
The operators we respect most aren’t rushing to submit anything on June 30. They’re already done, or they’re wrapping up decisions that serve the next twelve months, not just the past twelve.
“I don’t want to just get this year over with. I want to start next year lighter” — that mindset is what separates strong operators from stretched ones.
If you're ready to step into FY26 with clarity, confidence and cleaner books, we’re ready to help.