Rising food costs, staffing shortages and seasonal demand make cashflow for hospitality businesses unpredictable. If you need fast working capital, a kitchen refit, or finance tied to card receipts, Fast Business Loans helps restaurants find suitable lenders and brokers quickly. Our simple enquiry lets us match you to partners who understand hospitality — no obligation, no immediate credit impact.

Start Your Free Eligibility Check

Takes under 2 minutes. No impact on your credit score. We match restaurants with lenders/brokers for loans from around £10,000 and above.

Why restaurants need specialist business finance

Running a restaurant has different cash demands to many other businesses. Typical pressures include:

• Seasonal peaks and troughs that affect staffing and stock levels.
• High upfront costs for kitchen equipment and extraction systems.
• Refurbishment or rebranding to stay competitive.
• Short payment cycles with suppliers and variable card/online receipts.

Here’s why that matters: lenders and brokers who understand hospitality can match products — like turnover‑based lending for high card volumes or asset finance for ovens — to real cashflow patterns, improving approval chances and reducing unsuitable proposals.

What Fast Business Loans does (we are not a lender)

Fast Business Loans is an introducer. We do not provide funds or give regulated financial advice. Instead we:

• Collect a short, free enquiry to understand your funding need.
• Match you with lenders or brokers who specialise in hospitality.
• Share your details only with selected partners so they can provide quotes.

Submitting an enquiry is free, non‑binding and designed to be a soft eligibility check only. If you want to proceed with an offer, the lender/broker will complete any formal checks.

Get Matched to Restaurant Lenders

Finance options for restaurants

Below are common products restaurants use. Typical ranges and terms are indicative and subject to lender approval.

Unsecured business loans

Useful for short‑term cashflow, marketing or small refurbishments.

• Typical range: £10,000–£250,000
• Terms: 6–60 months
• Use case: shortfalls, seasonal stock or marketing pushes

Merchant cash advance (card receivables funding)

Repayments taken as a percentage of card turnover — flexible with sales fluctuations.

• Typical range: £10,000–£300,000
• Term: turnover‑based until advance repaid
• Use case: businesses with strong card sales volume

Equipment & fit‑out finance

Asset finance or hire purchase for ovens, chillers and kitchen fit‑outs.

• Typical range: £10,000–£500,000
• Terms: 12–84 months
• Use case: spread cost of expensive equipment while keeping cashflow steady

VAT & tax loans

Short‑term bridging loans to meet HMRC obligations or VAT spikes.

• Typical range: £10,000–£200,000
• Term: short term (3–12 months)
• Use case: smoothing seasonal VAT and tax liabilities

Invoice finance (for catering and events)

Release cash tied up in unpaid invoices for catering or contract work.

• Typical range: depends on invoice book size
• Terms: ongoing facility
• Use case: venues supplying events, corporate catering or large hospitality contracts

Bridging & leasehold improvement loans

For expansion, buying a leasehold or completing a major fit‑out before trading at full capacity.

• Typical range: £20,000–£1,000,000+
• Terms: short to medium term

All ranges are subject to lender criteria and affordability checks.

Eligibility snapshot & lending criteria

Start‑ups can be considered but may need a stronger business plan and personal guarantees. Submitting an enquiry triggers a soft check only — lenders may perform hard credit searches later if you apply formally.

Documents & prep checklist for applications

1. Latest management accounts (2–12 months)
2. EPOS / card terminal reports (demonstrates card volume)
3. Business bank statements (3–6 months)
4. Cashflow forecast and business plan (for start‑ups/expansion)
5. Lease or tenancy agreements and supplier contracts
6. Photo/quotes for equipment if applying for asset finance
7. Proof of ID and address for company directors

Tip: exporting EPOS and bank feeds via open banking speeds underwriting and improves match accuracy.

Upload Documents Later – Start Your Enquiry

How our matching process works

We keep it simple and transparent:

1. Short enquiry: you tell us your business and funding need (under 2 minutes).
2. Smart match: we select lenders/brokers that suit your sector and request.
3. Rapid response: a partner usually contacts you within hours to discuss options.
4. Compare & decide: review quotes and choose the partner that fits your needs.

We only share your details with selected partners; your enquiry is not a loan application and does not commit you to proceed.

Funding scenarios we support (real examples)

Independent bistro — winter working capital

Problem: low off‑peak takings and looming supplier bills. Solution: unsecured short‑term loan for seasonal cashflow. Result: funds released within 7 days, supplier terms met and staff retained.

Multi‑site takeaway — turnover‑based funding

Problem: rapid expansion required more cash but limited security. Solution: merchant cash advance linked to card receipts. Result: flexible repayments aligned to sales peaks.

New concept launch — kitchen fit‑out

Problem: large capital outlay for extraction and ovens. Solution: asset finance spread over 48 months. Result: equipment paid for with manageable monthly costs and VAT claims preserved.

Cost & risk considerations

Costs vary widely by product and credit profile. Key points to consider:

• APR and fees: compare total cost including arrangement fees, early repayment charges and any servicing fees.
• Repayment structure: turnover‑linked products fluctuate with sales — plan for low‑season months.
• Security & guarantees: some lenders request personal guarantees or assets as security.
• Affordability: ensure repayments fit realistic forecasts; lenders assess affordability carefully.

Representative examples are not provided here — rates depend on individual circumstances and lender assessment. Always check all terms before proceeding.

Why restaurants choose Fast Business Loans

• Sector focus: we match you to partners who understand hospitality cashflow and equipment cycles.
• Speed: quick matching and rapid partner responses — often within hours.
• Choice: multiple lenders/brokers to compare, increasing your chance of a suitable offer.
• Secure & simple: short enquiry, selective sharing and clear next steps.
• Free service: no cost to your business to use our matching service.

“A finance specialist will contact you to discuss options and next steps” — just one more reason hospitality owners trust a quick enquiry.

Ready to explore your options?

If you need working capital, a kitchen refit, or a finance partner who understands restaurants, complete our short form and we’ll match you to the most relevant lenders and brokers.

Get Your Restaurant Finance Quote

Free, no obligation. A finance specialist will contact you within one business day.

Restaurant finance FAQs

Can I get funding if my restaurant is under 12 months old?

Some lenders consider younger businesses if you can provide a strong business plan, trading projections and supporting documents. Options may include invoice finance, asset finance or specialist start‑up lenders. Submit a free eligibility check to see matched options.

How quickly can funds reach my business?

Speed varies: simple unsecured loans and some merchant cash advances can complete in 24–72 hours after approval. Asset finance or complex leasehold deals may take longer depending on valuations and surveys.

Will my enquiry affect my credit score?

No. Completing our enquiry triggers a soft eligibility check only. Lenders may perform a hard search later if you submit a formal application.

Can I refinance existing restaurant debt?

Yes — many businesses refinance to improve monthly cashflow or consolidate multiple facilities. A matched broker can assess whether refinancing creates net savings after fees.

Do you work with franchise restaurants or ghost kitchens?

Yes. We match franchisees and delivery‑only concepts to lenders experienced in those models — they often have tailored products for predictable contract or card volumes.

What security might lenders request?

Options include company assets (equipment), debentures, property security or personal guarantees. The requirement depends on product and lender risk appetite.

How do I start the process?

Complete our short online enquiry to start a Free Eligibility Check and get matched to suitable lenders/brokers: Start Your Free Eligibility Check.

Glossary of key terms

Merchant Cash Advance

Funding repaid via a percentage of card takings — repayments rise and fall with sales.

Personal Guarantee

A director’s promise to be liable for loan repayments if the company cannot pay.

Turnover‑based lending

Loans sized and repaid according to business turnover or card volumes.

Balloon Payment

A larger final payment at the end of a finance term, often used to lower monthly costs.

Compliance & transparency statement

Fast Business Loans is an introducer that matches businesses to lenders and brokers. We do not lend money or provide regulated financial advice. Our communications aim to be fair, clear and not misleading. Completing our enquiry is a soft eligibility check only; any formal application is handled by the lender or broker you choose. If you are unsure about an offer, consider independent advice.

For more on restaurant funding and practical sector guidance see our dedicated resources on restaurants business loans: restaurants business loans.

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