5 Ways Our Unified International Approach Transforms Restaurant Financial Services

William Fleming • May 30, 2025

Managing finances for a growing restaurant is like trying to change tires on a moving truck. You're juggling transactions, audits, and compliance while trying to make strategic decisions. It’s exhausting.

What if your finances could transform from a burden into a strategic advantage? Our unified international approach at Global Shared Services (GSS) makes this possible. We've built an integrated system that overcomes traditional outsourcing challenges while positioning us as critical partners in your financial journey.

"In outsourcing, trust is everything," explains Paula Sanjuan, General Manager at GSS. "We are not just reconciling books. We are a critical partner to our clients."

For restaurant CFOs and business leaders, finding the right financial partner means the difference between operational struggles and scalable growth. Here are five key ways our approach transforms restaurant financial services.

What Makes Our Approach Different

As an international company, we've developed a model that eliminates common barriers associated with traditional outsourcing of financial services. Our unified approach combines the cost advantages of global resources with the responsiveness of a domestic partner.

Three key advantages set us apart:

Time zone alignment: Instead of outsourcing to regions with significant time differences, we operate in the same time zone as many US clients, enabling real-time communication when you need it most.
Cultural compatibility: The shared working cultures and communication styles between the US and Argentina create natural synergies that many other international arrangements can't match.

Integrated processes: Our standardized workflows eliminate geographical boundaries, creating a seamless extension of your operations.

1. True Partnership, Not Just Another Vendor Relationship

Unlike traditional outsourcing, which often feels distant and transactional, we operate as an extension of your team.

"One big thing is how we closely integrate with our clients," says Sanjuan. "We don't act just like a vendor, we become part of their teams. We understand their business goals and bring proactive solutions to the table."

To achieve this level of integration, we immerse ourselves in understanding your operations, challenges, and objectives.

Over time, our client relationships evolve into open dialogues built on mutual trust.

The result? You stay in control of your financial strategy while gaining a dedicated partner whose expertise delivers far more value than a typical vendor relationship.

2. Our People Grow as Our Customers Grow

The second transformative element of our approach is our unique incentive structure. We've built our business model around a crucial insight: when we align our team members' career development directly with your outcomes, everyone wins.

"At GSS, we believe that our people grow as our customers grow," Sanjuan emphasizes. "Our employee success is dependent on the customer's outcome that we are driving. When a customer expands, it often creates opportunities for our team to take on either new responsibilities, develop new skills, or even step into leadership roles."

Everyone stays motivated to deliver real impact when our interests align so perfectly. Our teams are focused on delivering meaningful impact for your business, creating a self-reinforcing pattern of mutual growth that benefits both organizations.

3. Anticipating Problems Before They Aris

The third key differentiator in our approach is our commitment to proactive problem-solving. While most financial service providers operate reactively—addressing problems only after they've created disruptions—we've developed systems to identify and resolve potential issues before they impact your business.

"I emphasize proactive problem solving," Sanjuan explains. "We need to prevent issues before they arise rather than simply reacting to those issues."

Our preventive philosophy is embedded in our daily operations:

Morning dashboard reviews: Each day begins with a comprehensive review of operational dashboards tracking client satisfaction, turnaround times, and potential red flags.
Quality control focus: Given the sensitive nature of restaurant financial data, quality control measures receive special attention.
Regular leadership check-ins: Throughout the day, our department heads conduct check-ins focused on both performance and team development.

Prevention means fewer disruptions, less firefighting, and more time to focus on strategic growth rather than troubleshooting financial operations.

4. Financial Services That Scale With Your Growth

The fourth way we transform restaurant financial services is through our ability to scale alongside your business. As your operations grow, your financial needs become more complex. Our model is built to adapt, offering the right level of support at every stage.

"We are flexible," notes Sanjuan. Unlike providers with rigid packages, GSS tailors our approach to each restaurant client's specific operations.

Scalability benefits growing businesses that might start with basic accounting needs but eventually require sophisticated financial management. In fact, many of our clients start small and over time, they expand into full-service partnerships that include controller and CFO-level support.

Such flexibility ensures continuity. You don't have to switch providers or juggle multiple vendors. Our proven processes allow us to grow with you while maintaining consistent quality at every step.

5. Security and Trust You Can Count On

The fifth and perhaps most foundational element of our approach addresses the elephant in the room: security concerns. Instead of downplaying these legitimate concerns, we've turned them into a strength through rigorous protocols and transparent communication.

"We take data protection very seriously and follow strict international standards," explains Sanjuan. "On top of that, we review with our clients our security protocols and discuss this topic during the onboarding meeting so they know exactly how their data and businesses are in good hands."

Our security approach includes:

Strict standards: We adhere to international security protocols that protect your sensitive information
Transparent onboarding: We thoroughly review our security practices during onboarding so you understand exactly how your data is protected
Proactive communication: Rather than avoiding discussions about cross-border operations, we address these topics directly during initial conversations
Regular check-ins: Consistent performance reviews and communication maintain transparency

We also leverage our specialized industry knowledge to provide additional value. While maintaining strict confidentiality, we can share proven practices across our restaurant portfolio, helping you optimize operations based on what actually works for similar businesses.

Here to Grow With You

Our unified international approach truly redefines what restaurant businesses can expect from financial services partners.

For restaurant businesses ready to transform financial operations from an administrative burden into a competitive advantage, we offer a proven pathway built on years of specialized industry experience.

Ready to explore how we can transform your restaurant's financial operations? Visit gsslp.com today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do you handle situations where clients fall behind on their financial reporting?
Our team quickly implements a systematic catch-up process while simultaneously establishing proper routines for the future. We focus on solutions rather than dwelling on past challenges, and we'll get your financial reporting back on track without judgment.

Q: How long has GSS been providing financial services to restaurants?
A: We've specialized in restaurant financial services since 2002, giving us over two decades of focused experience in this industry.

Q: What happens during the client implementation process?
A: Our implementation is managed by a dedicated team with members in both the US and Argentina who work closely with you to understand your operations, establish workflows, and ensure a smooth transition.

Q: How does GSS recruit and retain quality team members?
A: We focus on identifying candidates who are curious, flexible, and customer-oriented. We invest in training and mentoring from day one, and we actively work to promote from within the company, which creates a strong sense of loyalty and momentum.

Q: Does GSS have experience with Restaurant365?
A: Yes, we use Restaurant365 as our primary ERP system for restaurant accounting. We have extensive experience implementing and optimizing this platform for our clients, and we can also help you implement it in your operations.

Q: How does GSS manage client relationships across different countries?
A: We operate as one team despite geographical differences. We maintain strong cultural connections through regular communication, shared values, and consistent processes. Our teams in both the US and Argentina work together seamlessly to deliver cohesive service to our clients.

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Insights

Most restaurant owners know what it’s like to manage every detail. You built your team, learned each regulation the hard way, and protected the culture you built. The thought of letting someone else handle your HR, payroll, or accounting sparks real anxiety. What if you lose sight of the details that set your restaurant apart? What if the personal touch gets overlooked? These worries can stall growth early. If you’ve wondered whether outsourcing means losing touch with your operation, you’re not alone. That fear comes up often in conversations with operators. In a recent discussion with Melissa Duque , Associate General Counsel and HR Manager at Accurate Employer Solutions (AES), the struggle became clear. Melissa’s candid perspective argues that trying to keep every task in-house can be the bigger risk. The Outsourcing Control Myth Restaurant operators often feel that keeping payroll, HR, and finance in-house means keeping control. You know your people, your brand, and your standards. Letting outsiders in can cause worry about culture, compliance, and potential mistakes. Many owners think they’re the only ones who can protect quality and keep their business safe. This belief lingers because the restaurant industry depends on slim margins and close relationships. Owners worry about losing touch or missing details. Still, doing everything yourself can lead to burnout, slower performance, and missed opportunities. This belief keeps many in routines that sap time and block growth. What Really Happens When You Outsource HR and Finance Restaurant owners face tough choices about where to spend their time. Outsourcing HR and finance brings in specialized experts who understand compliance, payroll, and benefits in detail. You spend less time on paperwork and more time leading your team. Operators see fewer errors, more reliable payroll, and current compliance, even across multiple locations. As Melissa puts it, “We have specialized folks in different areas of HR, whether that be payroll, benefits, administration, compliance.” The change provides clear reporting and data you can act on. Outsourcing gives you tools and freedom to focus on operations, growth, and the culture that makes your restaurant distinct.

Restaurant Budget Accountability: How to Set Realistic Goals and Incentives

By William Fleming • October 13, 2025

Running a restaurant is tough. Rising labor costs, unpredictable sales, and slim margins make financial discipline essential. Yet many operators fall into a common trap: setting ambitious stretch goals instead of building realistic budgets their teams can actually follow. Restaurant budget accountability addresses this problem directly. The goal isn’t simply to slash costs. It’s about giving every manager and team member clear targets, ownership of results, and tools to make better financial decisions every day. Why Stretch Targets Fail Restaurants Stretch targets may sound inspiring, but realistic budgets are what keep operations on track. When restaurant leaders confuse the two, accountability breaks down. Imagine telling managers to hit a 25% labor cost in a market where wages push the realistic number closer to 30%. Everyone knows the goal is impossible. Morale sinks, bonuses go unpaid, and managers stop paying close attention to schedules and waste. Unrealistic goals create disengagement, while realistic, data-backed budgets give teams confidence. When incentives align with achievable targets, such as reducing prime cost by one point compared to last quarter, managers are motivated to act. To avoid this disconnect, operators can use tools like restaurant forecasting , which applies real sales data to set benchmarks that teams can actually reach. What Restaurant Budget Accountability Really Means Restaurant budget accountability means: Every budget target has a clear owner. Performance is tracked regularly against actual results. Variances are addressed right away, not weeks later. A kitchen manager might own food costs, while the GM owns labor scheduling. When each leader knows what they control, accountability becomes a shared effort instead of a directive from above. Building accountability also depends on accurate restaurant accounting practices . With clear reporting, managers can see where labor cost percentage or food cost percentage drifts from the plan and take corrective action quickly. Why Budgets Break Down Even well-meaning plans fall apart without accountability. The most common pitfalls usually fall into three areas. Unrealistic forecasting. Building in stretch assumptions like 20% sales growth or sudden cost cuts makes buy-in impossible. Misaligned incentives. When bonus plans are tied to unattainable labor or food cost percentages, trust erodes quickly. High turnover and inconsistent processes. Without standard training and review cycles, costs swing and accountability disappears. Many of these issues mirror the top restaurant accounting mistakes , like relying on poor data or failing to update budgets when conditions change. When accountability fades, goals are missed, resources are wasted, and cash flow problems pile up.

Back Office, Front Impact

By Nick Stauff • October 2, 2025

In this episode of The Financial Advantage with GSS, host Nick Stauff sits down with Melissa Duque, Associate General Counsel and HR Manager at Accurate Employer Solutions.

How to Build a High-Performance Restaurant Team From the Ground Up

By Nick Stauff • September 19, 2025

What does it take to build a restaurant team that performs every shift, even when turnover spikes and margins shrink? Operators know the challenge: one day you have a full roster, the next you’re scrambling to fill gaps and keep guests happy. Every decision about your people ripples out to the guest experience and bottom line. David Drinan , Managing Partner at BlackThorn Strategic Advisors, has guided both struggling units and fast-growing brands. His conclusion: without the right people, no system or strategy can succeed. Why Team Performance Drives Restaurant Success Operational excellence begins with people. Technology helps, but service breaks down fast if your team doesn’t care. Team culture directly shapes guest experience. Staff who trust each other and feel valued show up with pride, while a weak culture creates inconsistency. Chick-fil-A proves the point: by investing in people and setting clear expectations, they generate industry-leading revenue and unmatched guest satisfaction. But building and sustaining that kind of team also requires operational breathing room—and that’s where the right back-office support becomes critical. That’s exactly what Global Shared Services (GSS) provides: financial clarity, smart tools, and time-saving services that allow restaurant leaders to focus on their people instead of their paperwork. Step 1: Hire for Attitude, Train for Excellence Hire people who show up curious, honest, and ready to work—even if they’ve never bussed a table. Build interview questions around real-life scenarios to gauge cultural fit. Involve current team members in hiring to reinforce culture. Create structured onboarding: clear expectations, hands-on training, and mentorship. When people feel invested in from day one, they gain confidence and deliver consistent guest experiences. We’ve seen this play out in real restaurants. One GSS client—a Tropical Smoothie Café franchisee —built a top-performing team by pairing structured onboarding with GSS payroll support, which eliminated admin headaches and let managers spend more time coaching new hires during their most formative weeks.

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