Restaurant Business Loans & Finance Options for UK Hospitality
Summary: Fast Business Loans does not lend money — we match UK restaurants, cafés and catering businesses with the best lenders and brokers for their needs. If you need finance for a fit-out, equipment, working capital or expansion (loans from £10,000+), complete a quick enquiry and we’ll connect you with specialist providers for a no‑obligation quote. Get Started – Free Eligibility Check
Compliance note: Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender. We do not give financial advice. Quotes and offers are subject to lender terms, affordability checks and status.
Table of contents
- Why restaurants choose Fast Business Loans
- Funding challenges facing restaurants in 2025
- Restaurant finance solutions we can connect you with
- How our loan matching process works
- What UK restaurant owners typically ask
- Eligibility snapshot — are we a good fit?
- Case snapshots
- Tips to strengthen your finance application
- Our commitment to fair, clear information
- Ready to explore options?
- Important information
Why restaurants choose Fast Business Loans
Restaurant owners pick Fast Business Loans because we understand hospitality: seasonal demand, tight margins, supply lead times and the need for quick, practical finance. We don’t lend — we use your enquiry to match you with lenders and brokers who specialise in restaurant finance so you can compare realistic, tailored options quickly.
- Sector expertise: partners who understand kitchens, POS data and hospitality cashflow drivers.
- Speed and simplicity: a short enquiry, soft-search matching and rapid responses from specialists.
- No obligation & no fee: our service is free for businesses and you decide whether to proceed.
Funding challenges facing restaurants in 2025
Rising costs and supplier credit terms
Food inflation, supplier minimums and longer payment cycles can squeeze margins. Many operators need short-term working capital or invoice/merchant finance to smooth cash flow while protecting supplier relationships.
Energy, staffing and seasonality
Energy bills and wage increases increase fixed costs. Seasonal peaks (Christmas, summer) require extra stock, temporary staff and marketing — which often means short-term finance is necessary to bridge quieter months.
Meeting modern consumer expectations
Investment in delivery infrastructure, online ordering, sustainability upgrades and a modern fit-out can be costly but necessary to stay competitive. That’s where specialist fit-out finance, asset finance and sustainability funding help.
If you run a restaurant and want to explore targeted options like fit-out or working capital, See if you qualify for a Free Eligibility Check.
Restaurant finance solutions we can connect you with
Below is a practical overview of common finance products restaurants use. We’ll match you to lenders/brokers who can help depending on your circumstances and funding purpose.
| Finance type | Typical uses / key points |
|---|---|
| Unsecured business loans | Fast working capital, small-scale refurbishments; quicker approval but higher rates and lending limits from providers. |
| Cash flow & working capital loans | Bridge gaps between busy and quiet periods; flexible terms to suit seasonality. |
| Merchant Cash Advance | Advance against future card takings — suited where card sales are strong. Repayments link to turnover. |
| Asset & equipment finance | Kitchen equipment, refrigeration, POS systems — spread cost over time, sometimes with tax-efficient options. |
| Fit-out & refurbishment finance | Refurbishment costs, new kitchens, expansion — lenders consider business plan and projected uplift in revenue. |
| VAT & tax funding | Short-term funding to cover tax liabilities or irregular VAT bills. |
| Invoice finance | Useful for catering contracts or B2B invoicing — unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices. |
| Energy-efficiency / sustainability financing | Funding for solar, heat pumps, efficient equipment — some products include grants or preferential rates. |
| Commercial mortgages & property loans | Freehold purchases, refinance or long-term investment for continued expansion of restaurant groups. |
Loan sizes vary by lender; through our panel you can explore facilities from £10,000 upwards. Fast Business Loans only introduces you to lenders and brokers — we don’t provide finance directly.
How our restaurant loan matching process works
- Tell us about your restaurant — a short enquiry covering turnover, trading history, funding purpose and contact details.
- We shortlist trusted lenders & brokers — matched by product suitability and hospitality experience.
- Rapid contact from specialists — expect a call or email (often same day). Enquiry stage uses soft checks only.
- You compare offers & decide — no obligation to accept any quote; choose the lender or broker that best suits your business.
Want to start? Start Your Enquiry – Free Eligibility Check
What UK restaurant owners typically ask us
- Can my restaurant get funding after a tough season? — Possibly. Our partners consider the full trading picture; options exist for businesses showing recovery plans or strong POS data.
- Do you help start-ups or only established venues? — We commonly help a range of hospitality businesses including new openings backed by realistic forecasts; lenders set final terms.
- Will applying affect my credit score? — Submitting an enquiry does not affect your credit score. Lenders may perform credit checks later if you proceed.
- How fast can funds be released? — Some products can provide funds within 24–72 hours; secured or larger facilities take longer.
- Is there a fee to use Fast Business Loans? — No. Our service is free to business owners. We may receive an introducer fee from partners if you proceed with finance.
Speak to a restaurant finance specialist now
Eligibility snapshot — are we a good fit?
We commonly support
- Independent restaurants and bistros
- Franchise locations and multi-site operators
- Catering companies and commissary kitchens
- Takeaway and delivery-first businesses expanding into premises
Information lenders typically request
- Recent 6–12 months bank statements
- Latest accounts or management accounts
- Proof of ID and address for directors
- Evidence of card sales or turnover (for merchant/cashflow products)
Final eligibility, rates and terms depend on lender assessment and your business circumstances. Check Your Eligibility – No Credit Impact
Case snapshots
Independent bistro — equipment upgrade
An independent bistro needed a new energy-efficient oven and refrigeration. Fast Business Loans connected them with a lender offering asset finance. Loan agreed for £45,000; equipment installed within five days, lowering running costs and increasing covers.
Multi-site casual dining group — seasonal cash flow
A three-site group required short-term working capital to manage a winter dip. We matched them to a specialist works-capital broker who arranged a revolving facility that smoothed payroll and stock costs until footfall recovered.
Catering business adding a delivery kitchen
A catering business took fit-out finance for a dark kitchen to serve delivery platforms. Strong POS and card-sales history sped approval; the new kitchen generated immediate additional revenue.
Ready to explore options? Get your tailored quote
Tips to strengthen your restaurant finance application
- Keep accurate, current management accounts and bank statements.
- Show revenue diversification — dine-in, delivery, events and B2B contracts.
- Provide clear cash flow forecasts showing how finance will be repaid.
- Demonstrate repeat custom or loyalty metrics where possible.
- Present evidence of cost controls (supplier agreements, energy efficiencies).
- Be transparent about any prior issues — lenders appreciate context and mitigation plans.
These steps help lenders assess risk and improve the chances of a competitive offer.
Our commitment to fair, clear information
We follow clear principles: provide transparent, non-misleading information and protect data securely. Fast Business Loans does not provide financial advice and only acts as an introducer. We do not charge business owners for our matching service; we may receive commission from lenders or brokers if you take finance after being introduced.
Ready to explore restaurant finance options?
If you need funding for equipment, a fit-out, working capital or expansion, complete a short enquiry and we’ll match you to specialist lenders and brokers. No cost, no obligation — just faster access to suitable finance partners.
Get Started – Free Eligibility Check
For more sector-focused guidance on hospitality funding, see our pillar resource on restaurants business loans.
Important information
Fast Business Loans is a trading style of Fast Business Loans Ltd. We act as an introducer only and do not provide financial advice. All finance is subject to status, affordability checks and lender terms. Rates and fees vary by lender. Submitting an enquiry will not impact your credit score; any subsequent credit checks are managed by the lender or broker you choose.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I get a restaurant loan if I’ve been trading less than a year?
Some lenders consider new restaurants where strong forecasts, management experience or a clear business plan are provided. Our panel includes partners with start-up experience. Final decisions rest with the lender.
Do you work with restaurants that had a challenging credit history?
Past credit issues don’t automatically rule you out. We can introduce you to brokers and lenders who assess the full trading picture and may offer suitable options. No guarantee of approval.
How quickly can restaurant funding be arranged?
Timescales vary by product: some unsecured or merchant facilities can be arranged in 24–72 hours; secured or larger property loans can take several weeks for valuations and legal work.
What documents will lenders ask for?
Typically lenders request ID, recent bank statements, accounts or management accounts, details of leases or property ownership if relevant, and evidence of card sales for merchant products.
Is there a fee to use Fast Business Loans?
No. Our matching service is free for business owners. If you proceed with finance, our partner may pay an introducer commission.
Do you support restaurants across the UK?
Yes — we connect businesses with lenders and brokers across the UK, from city-centre restaurants to rural venues and coastal cafés.
– What types of restaurant business finance can I get in the UK? You can be matched to unsecured business loans, working capital facilities, merchant cash advances, asset and equipment finance, fit-out and refurbishment finance, VAT/tax funding, invoice finance, sustainability funding and commercial mortgages.
– How fast can a UK restaurant get funding? Some unsecured or merchant products can fund in 24–72 hours, while larger secured or property facilities may take several weeks for valuations and legal work.
– Will submitting a Fast Business Loans enquiry affect my credit score? No, submitting an enquiry does not affect your credit score, although lenders may perform credit checks later if you choose to proceed.
– Is your online form a loan application? No, it’s a quick eligibility enquiry used to match you with suitable UK lenders and brokers, not a formal loan application.
– Does it cost anything to use Fast Business Loans? No — our matching service is free for business owners, and we may receive an introducer commission if you take out finance with a partner.
– How much can a restaurant borrow? Through our panel, restaurants can typically access facilities from £10,000 upward, subject to lender assessment, affordability and status.
– Can a start-up or new restaurant get a business loan? Yes, some partners consider new openings where strong forecasts, relevant experience or franchise backing are in place, with final decisions made by the lender.
– Can I get restaurant finance with bad credit or after a tough season? Potentially, as our partners assess the full trading picture and recovery plans, though approval and terms depend on your circumstances.
– What documents do lenders usually need from restaurants? Expect to provide proof of ID and address, recent business bank statements (often 6–12 months), latest accounts or management information, and evidence of card sales for merchant products.
– What are typical interest rates and costs for restaurant business loans? Rates and fees vary by product, lender, affordability and security, so you’ll receive tailored quotes once a specialist has reviewed your information.
