Traditional business loans can be hard for restaurant owners to qualify for because the industry is generally considered risky. That’s why restaurant business loans are most often available through Small Business Administration (SBA) lenders, nonprofits or alternative business loan providers.
Compare these top lenders for restaurants, which include a variety of loan types with competitive rates, along with options for new restaurants or borrowers with lower credit scores.
SBA loans offer restaurants government-backed funding as high as $5 million or more for almost any use. With rates and fees capped by the government, SBA loans might be the least expensive restaurant financing option for many businesses. While there are programs for startups and bad credit, it’s best for restaurants that have been around for at least three years and owners who have credit scores above 620, which most SBA lenders require.
A business line of credit offers your restaurant access to cash as needed to buy inventory, hire new staff, handle seasonal expenses or use as general working capital. These can be helpful to have on hand for emergencies since it typically takes less time to draw from a credit line than get approved for a loan.
Business term loans can help your restaurant cover a large, one-time expense, like renovating your dining room or updating the bathrooms. They’re the most common type of financing out there and are available for startups and established businesses, as well as for good or bad credit.
Restaurant equipment financing is a term loan to buy equipment, including a new oven, mixer or salamander. Usually, lenders will finance between 80% to 100% of the cost and use your equipment as collateral. The loan term is based on how long the lender expects your equipment to be functional. And this type of financing is one of the easiest to qualify for.
A restaurant acquisition loan is a term loan used to buy an existing restaurant. The SBA 7(a) program can be a good option for restaurants that want to expand by buying out a competitor, since they come with low rates and offer high loan amounts up to $5 million.
Since food and alcohol are perishable goods, traditional inventory financing is off the table for most restaurants. But there are other inventory financing options. Consider an unsecured term loan or line of credit to buy inventory, or use other business assets to back the loan.
Working capital loans are usually short-term business loans, typically used to cover unexpected expenses or cash flow shortages. These can often fund your business within one day and are available to business owners with poor credit. But they often come with daily or weekly repayments and can cost more than your typical term loan or line of credit.
Merchant cash advances are an advance on your restaurant’s future credit and debit card sales. They can help cover cash-flow gaps during the high season. But they’re one of the most expensive types of restaurant financing out there and should be saved as a last resort, like during an off-season or when sales are difficult to predict in advance.
A restaurant business loan can be useful when you need funds to invest in a new project or to cover working capital expenses. Use a restaurant loan to:
Once you know the kind of loan you’re looking for and have identified some top lenders, compare these key factors before applying.
Exact requirements to qualify for a restaurant loan vary depending on the lender or loan type, but most consider your credit score, time in business and monthly or annual revenue.
Some restaurant loans may also require collateral or a down payment, and most require a personal guarantee.
While steps may vary depending on the loan type or lender, restaurants can generally follow these steps.
Set up an appointment with an SBA resource partner in your area, like a small business development center. They can outline all your financing options and help you decide on the right path forward for your business.
Generally, you need to have good to excellent credit to get a business loan — that’s a credit score of at least 670. Business lenders are usually more forgiving of personal credit scores than personal loan providers.
But when it comes to the restaurant industry, your credit score could matter more, especially if you’re within the first five years. It can help offset the risk of lending to a relatively high-risk business.
Same-day business loans can get you funds the same business day as you apply, rather than making you wait 24 hours or more.
Compare top business loan marketplaces that connect you with multiple lenders through one simple application.
Looking for fast business funding? Learn about a lender with flexible criteria but frequent repayments.
Compare the best business term loan providers for flexible funding, competitive rates and repayment terms that fit your goals.
See which business lenders could get you approved funds the fastest. Turnaround times as short as one day.
Compare business loans with genuine repayment flexibility — from choosing your payment frequency to revenue-based remittances that scale with your sales.
Get funding of up to $500,000 with the benefit of early repayment discounts for qualifying borrowers.
Square Loans are invite-only for Square sellers, with no credit check required and funding in as little as one to three business days or instantly with Square Checking.
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Startups may have a harder time qualifying for business loans, but getting funding isn’t impossible.