Compare
Restaurant financing options
Every restaurant funding option, compared by amount, term, and best use.
Restaurant financing isn't one product. The right choice depends on what you're paying for, how fast you need it, and how quickly that money comes back to you. Here's every option restaurant owners commonly use.
| Financing | Typical amounts | Typical term | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment financing | $5K–$500K+ | 2–7 yrs | Kitchen and dining equipment |
| Working capital | $5K–$1.5M | 6–36 mo | Payroll, food costs, slow seasons |
| Line of credit | $10K–$500K | Revolving | Recurring cash-flow gaps |
| Renovation financing | $25K–$1.5M+ | Up to 36 mo (10 yrs SBA) | Remodels, patios, reimages |
| Restaurant business loans | $5K–$5M | 6 mo–25 yrs | Comparing every loan type |
| SBA loans | Up to $5M+ | 10–25 yrs | Opening, buying, big projects |
| Startup loans | Varies | Up to 10 yrs (SBA) | New restaurants |
| Startup equipment financing | $10K–$500K | 2–7 yrs | Outfitting a new kitchen |
| Acquisition loans | $100K–$5M | 10 yrs+ | Buying an existing restaurant |
| Franchise financing | Varies | Varies | Franchise units and remodels |
| Bar financing | $10K–$5M | Varies | Bars, taverns, nightlife |
| Café & coffee shop loans | $5K–$500K | Varies | Cafés, coffee shops, bakeries |
| Bad credit options | Varies | Short–medium | Fair or challenged credit |
| Restaurant lenders compared | - | - | Choosing a lender |
Restaurant funding options by situation
| If you want to… | Start here |
|---|---|
| Buy or build a food truck | Food truck financing |
| Replace broken kitchen equipment | Equipment financing |
| Cover payroll or a slow season | Working capital or a line of credit |
| Remodel or add a patio | Renovation financing |
| Open a new restaurant | Startup loans (usually SBA) |
| Buy an existing restaurant | Acquisition loans |
| Open or remodel a franchise | Franchise financing |
The golden rule
Match the term to the need. Short-term money for short-term needs like a slow month, long-term money for long-life assets like a kitchen or a second location. Most restaurant cash crunches come from breaking this rule.
Not sure which fits? Get your numbers and talk it through with a specialist.
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