Why Restaurants Partner with Fast Business Loans

Running a restaurant means juggling tight margins, seasonality, rising utility and staffing costs, and ongoing investment needs for kitchens, POS systems and marketing. Instead of spending days researching dozens of lenders, restaurateurs use Fast Business Loans to speed up the search. We gather a few key details and match your business to lenders or brokers experienced in hospitality — helping you save time and increase the chance of being introduced to a suitable provider.

Our service is free and no‑obligation. We do not lend money or give regulated financial advice; we introduce you to lenders and brokers who can discuss loan terms and next steps. For a fast start, complete a short enquiry: Get Quote Now.

Who We Help in the Restaurant & Catering Sector

We work with a wide variety of hospitality businesses across the UK. Typical clients include:

Independent & Family-Owned Restaurants

Owners needing fit-out finance, equipment upgrades or short-term working capital to manage seasonal dips.

Multi-Site Groups & Franchise Operators

Brands requiring larger facilities loans, asset finance for kitchen rollouts, or refinancing across multiple sites.

Cafés, Bars & Casual Dining Concepts

Smaller outlets often seek equipment leasing, merchant cash advances or invoice finance for catering contracts.

Delivery‑First Kitchens & Ghost Kitchens

Operators investing in digital ordering, kitchen fit-outs and fleet/EV delivery vehicles.

Start your free eligibility check and we’ll match you to partners who know your sector: Free Eligibility Check.

Common Restaurant Funding Scenarios We Support

Restaurants come to us for many reasons. Examples we regularly help with include:

• New site openings and refurbishments — fit-out and refurbishment loans to bring a concept to life.
• Equipment upgrades — asset finance or hire purchase for ovens, refrigeration and POS systems.
• Working capital — short-term loans to smooth seasonal cashflow gaps or cover payroll during quieter months.
• Stock and supplier purchasing — finance to buy bulk stock ahead of busy periods.
• Marketing and technology investment — funds to implement online ordering, booking systems or loyalty platforms.
• Sustainability upgrades — finance for energy-efficiency projects or low-emission delivery vehicles.

If one of these sounds like your situation, you can quickly see what options may be available: Get Started.

Types of Restaurant Business Finance We Can Connect You With

Through our panel of brokers and lenders we can introduce you to a range of products. Below are typical finance types and how restaurants use them.

Unsecured & Secured Business Loans

Fixed-term loans used for working capital, expansion or refinancing. Secured loans may require business or property security and can support larger sums.

Cashflow Loans

Short-term facilities for immediate liquidity needs, often arranged quickly to cover urgent outgoings.

Asset & Equipment Finance

Hire purchase, leasing or asset refinance for kitchen kit, refrigeration or furniture that preserves cash while spreading cost.

Invoice Finance

Useful for catering businesses and event caterers to unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices.

Merchant Cash Advance (Card Receipts)

Repayments taken as a percentage of card takings—an option for businesses with strong card turnover.

Fit-Out & Refurbishment Finance

Specialist lending to fund refits, covering construction, artwork and M&E costs.

Commercial Mortgages & Leasehold Loans

For purchasing premises or refinancing leasehold improvements. These typically involve longer processes and legal work.

Sustainability & Energy-Efficiency Funding

Loans for projects that reduce operating costs long-term, such as solar panels or energy-efficient plant.

All finance is subject to lender criteria and affordability checks; we cannot guarantee approval. To see what you might qualify for, complete our quick enquiry: Free Eligibility Check.

How Our Fast Matching Service Works

1. Tell us about your business — a short enquiry takes under two minutes and does not affect your credit score.
2. We match you to expert lenders and brokers — we select partners who understand restaurant margins, licences and seasonal trade.
3. Finance professionals get in touch — expect a call or email, often within a few business hours.
4. Compare offers and decide — you receive information from lenders or brokers and remain free to accept or decline.

Fast Business Loans only introduces you to providers — the provider you speak to will outline full terms and any checks they require. Ready to be matched? Get Quote Now.

What Makes Fast Business Loans Different for Restaurateurs

Key reasons restaurants choose our service:

• Sector awareness: we match you to partners who have experience with hospitality, licensing and tip-based revenue models.
• Speed: a short form and rapid introductions—no need to contact dozens of lenders individually.
• Transparent introductions: we explain that we are an introducer and provide clear next steps so you know what to expect.
• No cost to businesses: our introduction service is free and without obligation.
• Simple control: you choose whether to proceed with any provider; there’s no pressure to accept offers you receive.

Take the first step with a quick enquiry: Start Your Enquiry.

Real-World Restaurant Funding Outcomes (Anonymised)

£150k Fit-Out for a Modern Bistro — Manchester

Situation: New site needed a complete kitchen fit-out. Solution: Introduced to a lender offering staged funding tied to refurbishment milestones. Result: Fit-out completed on time; staged drawdowns matched contractor payments.

Working Capital for a London Multi-Site Sushi Brand

Situation: Seasonal slowdown and expansion plans tightened cashflow. Solution: Invoice finance and a short-term working capital facility helped cover payroll and pre-orders. Result: Brand maintained momentum through season and completed new openings.

Equipment Lease for an Eco Café Chain — Brighton

Situation: Owner wanted energy-efficient appliances but limited cash. Solution: Asset finance spread the cost, with option to upgrade. Result: Improved efficiencies and lower running costs within months.

Outcomes vary by business and lender. To explore options for your restaurant, complete our form: Free Eligibility Check.

Preparing for a Restaurant Loan Application

Being ready speeds decisions. Lenders commonly request:

• Recent management accounts and profit & loss statements
• Cashflow forecasts and a simple business plan or project summary
• Details of existing debts and monthly repayments
• Evidence of trading performance such as POS reports, booking data or delivery platform metrics
• Relevant licences (food hygiene, premises, alcohol where applicable)
• Information about assets offered as security and any required personal guarantees

Providing accurate documents early helps brokers and lenders produce realistic quotes faster.

Restaurant Loan FAQs

What loan amounts can restaurants typically access?

Our partners commonly consider requests from around £10,000 upwards. Available amounts depend on turnover, trading history, security and lender criteria.

Will completing the enquiry form affect my credit score?

No. Submitting an enquiry through Fast Business Loans does not impact your credit file. Lenders may run credit checks later if you decide to proceed with them.

Can a new restaurant or pre-opening project get finance?

Yes. Some partners assess pre-opening projects where there is a credible business plan, realistic forecasts and evidence of owner equity or investor support.

How quickly can I get funding for urgent repairs?

Response times vary by product. Some short-term and asset finance options can be arranged in a few business days; secured loans and mortgages usually take longer due to legal work.

Do you charge restaurants to use your service?

No. Our introduction service is free to restaurant owners. Any broker or lender fees will be disclosed by them before you commit.

If you don’t find an answer above, ask us when you complete the enquiry: Get Started.

Ready to Explore Market-Leading Restaurant Finance Options?

Fast Business Loans helps you move from ‘I need finance’ to ‘I have options’ quickly and clearly. We’ll match your restaurant to lenders and brokers who understand the hospitality sector and can outline suitable products for loans of £10,000 and above. There’s no cost to you and no obligation to proceed.

Complete a short enquiry now and get matched: Free Eligibility Check. Most restaurateurs hear from a specialist within a few business hours.

For further reading about finance options specific to foodservice and restaurants, see our dedicated guide to restaurant business loans.

Small Print / Compliance

Fast Business Loans is an introducer that connects businesses with lenders and brokers. We do not provide loans or regulated financial advice. All finance is subject to status, lender criteria and affordability checks. Completing an enquiry does not affect your credit score. If you proceed with a lender, they will inform you of any checks and terms before lending. Please borrow responsibly.