Case Studies: Restaurant

Could your restaurant benefit from a cost segregation study? The following café, eatery, and coffee shop case studies provide real-world examples of tax incentives for restaurants.

Restaurant Case Studies

Restaurants represent some of the most asset-intensive properties in the retail sector, featuring specialized mechanical systems and high-end interior finishes. Engineered Tax Services helps restaurateurs and franchisees unlock significant liquidity by identifying components that qualify for accelerated 5, 7, or 15-year depreciation schedules. Because a restaurant requires substantial investment in kitchen infrastructure, specialized ventilation, and unique dining aesthetics, ETS often reclassifies 25% to 40% of the total project cost. This immediate increase in cash flow is critical for owners facing high operational costs, allowing them to reinvest in equipment upgrades, staff retention, or new location expansions.

The technical design of a restaurant offers extensive opportunities for tax savings, from specialized plumbing and heavy-duty electrical for ovens to walk-in coolers and decorative millwork. Engineered Tax Services meticulously documents these assets to move them away from the standard 39-year life cycle. Additionally, ETS evaluates facilities for 179D energy tax deductions when high-efficiency HVAC and lighting systems are installed to manage intense kitchen heat loads. Our results highlight how ETS provides the engineering rigor and IRS-compliant documentation necessary to maximize Net Present Value and ensure long-term financial health for hospitality leaders across the nation.