Practice benchmarks update: what your practice numbers are really telling you about growth, overhead, & profitability

In this episode of 20/20 Money: The Business of Optometry, I’m joined by Nathan Hayes of Books & Benchmarks to go over their recently updated benchmarks analysis and unpack what the latest optometry practice data says about growth, overhead, and profitability. We discuss why a benchmark is a starting point, not a verdict on your practice, and why rising expense ratios may call for a closer look at revenue rather than an immediate round of cuts.

We also talk about the difference between profit and cash you can take home, how equipment purchases affect the balance sheet, and what your numbers may reveal about staffing, patient capacity, and collections. Nathan shares how he uses financial statements alongside an owner’s account of what’s happening in the practice to identify where attention is needed.

Have a podcast-related question? Contact our team here!

Resources:

• Books & Benchmarks’ 2025 annual report
• Books & Benchmarks
• Book a Triage call with Adam
• Download the Practice Owner’s Financial Toolkit
• 20/20 Money Ultimate Financial Success Masterclass
• OD Mastermind Interest Form
• Check out Adam’s book: How to Buy an Optometry Practice

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Check out Adam’s other podcast!

The Optometry Success Podcast 

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