FohBoh | MGE Certification Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

About FohBoh | MGE

Who is behind FohBoh.ai?

ARI Venture Studio, LLC, a restaurant technology venture studio, founded by Michael L. Atkinson and Gennadiy Goldenshteyn, veteran operators, investors, and ResTech innovators.

1. What is FohBoh | MGE?

FohBoh | MGE is a restaurant technology platform that automates revenue recovery certification. We verify that every dollar from delivery platforms and payment processors is accurately reported, reconciled, and deposited. Think of us as an independent certification authority for restaurant financial operations.

2. What does 'MGE' stand for?

MGE stands for Metrics Governance Engine. Our platform provides the governance layer for restaurant financial metrics - certifying that the numbers you rely on for operations, reporting, and decision-making are complete, accurate, and trustworthy.

We do not just calculate metrics; we govern how they are created, validated, and maintained.

3. Who is FohBoh | MGE for?

We serve restaurant operators of all sizes:

  • Single locations: Eliminate manual spreadsheet reconciliation.
  • Regional chains: Standardize financial controls across units.
  • Enterprise brands: Automate certification for hundreds of locations.
  • Franchisors: Provide franchisees with certified financial accuracy tools.

4. How is FohBoh | MGE different from my POS or accounting software?

Your POS records transactions. Your accounting software books them. FohBoh | MGE certifies they are right.

We are the independent verification layer that:

  • Validates platform-reported sales against your POS.
  • Certifies bank deposits match expectations.
  • Provides objective Trust Scores for financial reconciliation.
  • Creates auditable certification trails.

5. Do I need to replace my existing systems?

No. We integrate with what you already use. FohBoh | MGE sits above your POS systems, delivery platforms, payment processors, and accounting software, certifying the connections between them.

Product & Modules

6. What are the first two modules launching?

Module 1: Delivery Fee Recovery Certification

  • Certifies delivery platform sales and fees reconcile with POS records.
  • Supports Uber Eats, DoorDash, Grubhub, and other platforms.

Module 2: Merchant Fee Recovery Certification

  • Certifies payment processor settlements match POS sales after fees.
  • Supports major credit card processors and payment gateways.

7. What other modules are planned?

Our hub-and-spoke architecture allows rapid deployment of new certification modules.

Coming soon:

  • Tip Compliance Certification: Verify tip pooling and distribution accuracy.
  • Chargeback Recovery Certification: Track and recover chargeback revenue.
  • Inventory Shrink Certification: Connect sales data to inventory variance.
  • Loyalty Program Certification: Validate points redemption and liability.

8. How does the Trust Score work?

Trust Score (0-100) is our proprietary certification algorithm that evaluates:

  • Variance Magnitude (40%): How closely records align.
  • Data Completeness (25%): All required fields populated.
  • Timeliness (20%): Reconciliation within required windows.
  • Historical Consistency (15%): Alignment with past performance.

90-100: GREEN Certification | 75-89: YELLOW Certification | Below 75: RED Certification

9. What file formats do you accept?

We accept CSV files for manual upload. For automated customers, we connect directly via:

  • REST APIs (when available)
  • CSV drop folders
  • Direct database connections
  • Pre-built connectors for major POS and platform providers

10. Can I certify multiple locations at once?

Yes. Our platform is built for multi-unit operations. Upload a single CSV with location identifiers or configure automated feeds for all units. The hub processes each location independently and provides both individual and consolidated certification reports.

Implementation & Setup

11. How long does implementation take?

  • Manual CSV users: Certified and running in under 30 minutes.
  • Automated API users: 1-3 days for integration.
  • Enterprise multi-system: 1-2 weeks for full deployment.

12. Do I need IT resources to get started?

For manual CSV uploads: No IT required. If you can export a report and upload a file, you can certify today.

For automated integrations: Minimal IT involvement. Our implementation specialists handle API connections and data mapping.

13. What if my data does not match your template?

Our validation engine provides specific, actionable feedback, such as:

  • Column 'delivery_partner_fees' not found - did you mean 'delivery_fees'?
  • Date format should be YYYY-MM-DD.
  • Currency values must be numeric without dollar symbols.

We help you map your export format to our template once, then remember your preferences.

14. Can I back-certify previous periods?

Yes. Upload historical CSV files and the platform will:

  • Certify each period retroactively.
  • Establish baseline Trust Scores.
  • Identify recurring reconciliation issues.
  • Create compliance records for past audits.

Trust & Certification

15. Is a FohBoh | MGE certification legally binding?

FohBoh | MGE certification provides auditable, timestamped verification of financial reconciliation accuracy.

While we are not a regulatory body, our certifications are:

  • Accepted by major accounting firms as audit evidence.
  • Used in platform fee dispute resolution.
  • Recognized in franchise compliance verification.
  • Admissible as business records in commercial disputes.

16. How do you prevent tampering with certification results?

Every certification is:

  • Timestamped with immutable audit trails.
  • Cryptographically hashed at generation.
  • Stored in append-only format.
  • Access-logged for complete visibility.

Once certified, results cannot be altered, only superseded by subsequent certifications.

17. What happens when I find a discrepancy?

RED certifications trigger automated workflows:

  1. Immediate alert to designated managers.
  2. Root cause analysis report generated.
  3. Recommended action steps provided.
  4. Documentation created for platform disputes.
  5. Re-certification available after resolution.

Our platform does not just identify problems, it guides you to solutions.

Business Value

18. How much revenue will I recover?

Recovery varies by restaurant size and platform usage.

Typical recovery ranges (per location, monthly):

  • Delivery fees: $800-$2,400
  • Merchant processing: $1,500-$5,000
  • Combined potential: $2,300-$6,400/month

Example scenarios:

Small Restaurant ($100K monthly sales, 1 platform):

  • Delivery: ~$800/month
  • Processing: ~$1,500/month
  • Total: ~$2,300/month

Mid-Size Restaurant ($250K monthly, 2-3 platforms):

  • Delivery: ~$1,600/month
  • Processing: ~$3,000/month
  • Total: ~$4,600/month

Multi-Location (5 locations):

  • Combined: $11,500-$32,000/month
  • Annual: $138K-$384K/year

Plus: Save 2-4 hours per location weekly on manual reconciliation.

Your actual recovery depends on processing volume, current fee structure, platform contracts, and time since last audit.

Get your specific estimate - Free assessment. Most customers achieve full ROI within 30-75 days.

19. How do you price?

  • Module Subscription: Per module, per location, per month.
  • Enterprise: Volume-based tiered pricing.
  • Implementation: One-time fee for automated setups.

Manual CSV uploads include full certification capabilities. Automation adds convenience, not functionality.

20. What if I only need one module?

Start with one. Our hub-and-spoke architecture allows you to:

  • Activate modules independently.
  • Add modules as your needs grow.
  • Pay only for what you use.
  • Maintain unified reporting across all active certifications.

Still Have Questions?

Contact Support: mge@fohboh.com