Who we fund
Restaurant Loans and Financing for Owners Who Run Tight Margins
Yes, restaurants can get business funding, though lenders look closely at daily card sales and how steady they are across the year. Most owners use a mix of equipment financing for kitchen gear, working capital for seasonal dips, and SBA loans for bigger projects like a second location or a full remodel.
Get matched: restaurants
The reality
Cash-flow challenges we hear every day.
Thin margins with high fixed costs
Rent, payroll, and food costs eat most of every dollar that comes in. One slow month or a jump in protein prices can leave little room to cover the next payroll.
Seasonal and weather-driven swings
Patio-heavy spots lose business in winter, tourist-area restaurants depend on a few peak months, and a rainy weekend can cut covers sharply. Revenue rarely lines up neatly with fixed monthly bills.
Expensive equipment that fails without warning
A walk-in cooler, hood system, or combi oven can break mid-service and cost thousands to repair or replace. Waiting to save up means lost sales and spoiled inventory.
Upfront cost of renovations and health-code updates
Inspections can require plumbing, grease trap, or ventilation work on short notice. Remodels to refresh a dining room are paid upfront while the payoff in sales comes slowly.
Best-fit funding
Funding that fits restaurants.
Ovens, fryers, refrigeration, and POS hardware serve as collateral for the loan itself, so approval leans less on your credit history and you keep cash in the register.
$10K–$5M‡2–5 days*Short-term working capital is built around card sales and bank deposits, which suits restaurants that need fast cash to restock or cover payroll through a slow stretch.
$10K–$1M‡24–72 hours*For a second location, a buildout, or buying an existing restaurant, SBA 7(a) loans offer longer terms that keep monthly payments manageable while the new space ramps up.
$50K–$5M‡30–90 days*A revolving line lets you draw only when food costs spike or a repair comes up, then pay it back during busy months without reapplying each time.
$10K–$500K‡1–3 days*What lenders look for
Typical profile for restaurants.
Lenders usually review several months of bank statements and merchant processing statements to see how consistent your sales are, along with time in business and the owner's credit. Restaurants with a track record through at least one full seasonal cycle tend to have more options.
Common uses of funds
- Replacing a walk-in cooler, range, or hood system
- Building out a patio or expanding seating
- Covering payroll and food costs during the slow season
- Opening a second location or ghost kitchen
- Remodeling the dining room or bar area
- Upgrading POS and online ordering systems
Can I get a restaurant loan if my restaurant is less than a year old?
It is possible, but options are narrower. Equipment financing and some working capital products may work with a few months of sales history, while SBA loans usually need a stronger track record or a detailed business plan with owner experience.
Do lenders count tips and delivery app revenue?
Lenders generally look at deposits into your business bank account. Delivery app payouts that land in your business account typically count; cash tips paid out to staff usually do not.
Is it hard to get financing for a restaurant?
Some lenders treat restaurants as higher risk because of failure rates in the industry, so they look harder at cash flow and owner experience. Having clean bank statements and organized financials makes a real difference.
Can I finance used kitchen equipment?
Yes, many equipment lenders finance used equipment, though terms may be shorter than for new equipment. Having a quote or invoice from the seller speeds up the process.
What is the best loan to buy an existing restaurant?
SBA 7(a) loans are commonly used for business acquisitions because they allow longer repayment terms. Lenders will want to see the seller's financials and your experience running a food business.
Funding for restaurants, matched in minutes.
- Decisions in as little as 24 hours*
- $10K–$5M+ across 10 products
- No hard credit pull to apply
- One dedicated funding advisor