Restaurant Business Loans & Finance – Compare Specialist UK Funding Fast

Summary: Fast Business Loans helps UK restaurant owners find finance for fit-outs, equipment, cash flow gaps and growth. We don’t lend — we introduce your enquiry to lenders and brokers who specialise in hospitality funding. Complete a short, free enquiry for a no-obligation match and receive tailored quotes. Get Free Eligibility Check • Secure enquiry • No obligation • No impact on credit score.

Funding Designed for UK Restaurants & Caterers

Running a restaurant means managing fluctuating footfall, seasonal peaks, supply-chain pressure and capital-intensive equipment. That creates unique funding needs: quick working capital during quiet months, finance for a kitchen refit, or asset-backed finance to replace ovens or refrigeration. Rather than searching dozens of lenders, restaurant owners benefit from being matched to brokers and lenders who understand hospitality cashflow cycles and the value of fit-out or equipment collateral.

Get Started – Free Eligibility Check (takes under 2 minutes).

Why Restaurants Choose Fast Business Loans

• Speed: short enquiry form — we introduce you quickly to relevant lenders and brokers.
• Sector focus: we work with partners who understand hospitality, catering and restaurant operations.
• No obligation: submitting an enquiry doesn’t commit you to a loan or affect your credit score.
• Support for mid-size deals: we handle enquiries for lending from around £10,000 upwards.
• Time-saving: compare multiple options without filling multiple lengthy forms.

Transparent, introducer-only service: We do not lend and we do not provide regulated financial advice. We introduce your business to lenders and brokers who will discuss terms with you directly.

Restaurant Finance Options We Can Introduce

Below are common finance products used by restaurants. After you submit your short enquiry we’ll match you to partners who specialise in these solutions.

Working capital & cashflow loans

Short-term loans and revolving facilities to cover payroll, seasonal slowdowns or emergency supply costs. Typical terms are 3 months to 3 years depending on the product; amounts start from £10k.

Fit-out & refurbishment finance

Funding for new openings, refurbishments or landlord-required upgrades. Lenders can structure capital as term loans or staged drawdowns to coincide with project phases.

Equipment & kitchen asset finance

Asset finance and leasing for ovens, refrigeration, POS systems, and delivery vehicles. These options preserve cash flow by spreading cost over equipment life.

Invoice financing for catering contracts

If you supply catering to businesses or events, invoice discounting or factoring can unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices and improve liquidity.

Short-term bridging & seasonal loans

Bridging finance for urgent purchases or short-term loans timed to seasonal peaks (e.g., summer terraces or Christmas trading).

Quick comparison (typical):

• Loan size: £10k – £5m+
• Terms: 3 months – 7+ years (varies by product)
• Security: unsecured for smaller facilities; secured against assets or property for larger deals

Check Eligibility for Your Restaurant Loan — free, quick and confidential.

Typical Funding Scenarios We See

• New site opening: fit-out, initial stock and working capital to reach break-even.
• Refurbishment: kitchen upgrade, interior redesign or expansion of covers.
• Equipment replacement: fast approval equipment finance to avoid operational downtime.
• Seasonal cashflow: short-term funding to cover wages and stock during quieter months.
• Digital & delivery investment: POS, online ordering and kitchen management systems.
• Refinance: consolidate high-cost debt to reduce monthly burden.

Each scenario typically aligns to one or more finance types above — we’ll match based on your priorities (speed, cost, security preference).

How Our 4-Step Restaurant Funding Process Works

1. Complete a short enquiry: basic business details, amount and purpose (under 2 minutes). Get Quote Now.
2. We match your enquiry: your request is routed to selected lenders/brokers who specialise in hospitality finance.
3. Receive lender contact: expect an email or call to discuss options and next steps — lenders will request documents if they can help.
4. Compare offers and decide: review terms, choose a partner and progress to formal application with that lender/broker.

Submitting an enquiry is informational only — it’s not a loan application. We’ll never pass your details to lenders who aren’t a good fit.

Eligibility Snapshot & What Lenders Look For

Exact criteria vary by lender, but typical considerations include:

Core criteria

• Company type: limited companies and trading businesses (we do not handle sole trader-only enquiries on this page).
• Trading history: many lenders prefer 6–12 months trading history; some specialist lenders will consider newer businesses with strong plans.
• Turnover and profitability: higher turnover and positive cashflow improve options and rates.
• Director information: credit profiles and experience in hospitality can be factors.

Documents you may need

• Recent business bank statements (typically 3–6 months).
• Accounts or management accounts.
• Cashflow forecast or business plan for start-ups/refurb projects.
• Quotes/invoices for equipment or fit-out where relevant.

We’ll advise which documents are likely to be needed once you submit your enquiry so you can be ready.

Costs, Rates & Responsible Borrowing

Rates differ widely by product, lender, security and business profile. As a guide only:

• Short-term unsecured finance: higher rates (can be double-digit APRs depending on profile).
• Secured and asset-backed finance: typically lower rates due to collateral.
• Equipment leases: structured payments related to asset life.

Always compare APR, fees, arrangement charges and any early repayment penalties. Make sure repayments are affordable for your business — missed repayments affect cashflow and may impact future borrowing. Our partners will provide full terms when they contact you.

Success Stories

Examples of recent anonymised matches:

• Independent London bistro — £120,000 fit-out finance approved in 7 days to complete a newly leased site.
• Regional delivery-led kitchen — £40,000 equipment lease for new ovens; structured over 4 years to preserve working capital.
• Catering supplier — £75,000 invoice finance facility unlocked 80% of outstanding invoices, improving liquidity for staff costs.

These case studies show how the right product from a relevant lender can keep kitchens open and growth on track.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can start-up restaurants apply?

Yes — some of our partners specialise in early-stage hospitality lending. You may need a clear plan, personal commitment from directors and evidence of demand or franchise support.

How fast can funding arrive?

For simple products, funds can land in days. Complex secured or property-backed finance can take several weeks. Your matched lender will provide realistic timing once they assess your case.

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No — submitting an enquiry through Fast Business Loans is informational and will not affect your business or personal credit. Lenders may perform credit checks only if you progress to a formal application.

Do you work with businesses that have adverse credit?

Yes — because we work with a wide panel, some lenders specialise in lending to businesses with previous credit issues. Outcomes depend on the whole application, including turnover and security.

What amounts are available?

Our partners handle funding from around £10,000 upwards — from small equipment loans to multi-hundred-thousand pound fit-outs and refinancing packages.

Do I need to provide security?

It depends. Unsecured facilities exist for smaller amounts, but larger or lower-cost options commonly require security such as machinery, business assets or property guarantees.

Ready to Explore Your Restaurant Finance Options?

If you need funding to refurbish, expand capacity, replace equipment or steady cashflow, we can match you with lenders and brokers experienced in hospitality finance. Submit a short, free enquiry and we’ll connect you to the right partners — no obligation.

Get Your Free Eligibility Check — Secure enquiry • No obligation • Matches you with lenders who can offer tailored quotes.

Looking for industry-specific guidance? Read more about our work with hospitality at restaurants business loans.

– Are you a lender or broker?
We’re an introducer that connects UK restaurant owners with specialist hospitality lenders and finance brokers — we don’t lend or provide regulated financial advice.

– Does it cost anything to use Fast Business Loans?
No — our introducer service and eligibility check are free for businesses with no obligation to proceed.

– Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No — the enquiry is informational only and won’t affect your credit score; credit checks happen only if you proceed with a lender.

– How fast can restaurant finance be approved and funded?
Simple unsecured or equipment facilities can fund in days, while secured, fit-out or property-backed deals may take several weeks.

– What types of restaurant finance can you help me compare?
We introduce working capital and cash flow loans, fit-out and refurbishment finance, equipment and asset finance, invoice finance for catering contracts, and short-term seasonal or bridging loans.

– What loan amounts, terms and rates are typical for UK restaurants?
Typical amounts start from around £10,000 up to £5m+ with terms from 3 months to 7+ years, and rates vary widely by product, profile and security (secured options usually cost less than unsecured).

– Do you support start-up restaurants or new site openings?
Yes — some partners consider start-ups with a solid plan, relevant experience and supporting documents.

– What are the eligibility criteria and documents needed?
Lenders usually prefer UK limited/trading businesses with 6–12 months’ history (start-ups considered), and may request 3–6 months’ bank statements, accounts/managements, cashflow forecasts and equipment or fit-out quotes.

– Do I need to provide security or a personal guarantee?
It depends on the product and amount — smaller facilities can be unsecured, while larger or lower-cost options often require asset or property security and director guarantees.

– Can you help if I have adverse credit or was declined elsewhere?
Yes — our panel includes lenders who consider businesses with previous credit issues, assessing the overall case including turnover, cashflow and available security.