Why restaurants turn to Fast Business Loans

Running a restaurant brings seasonal demand swings, rising overheads, supply chain challenges and tight margins. Finding the right finance partner can be slow and confusing. Fast Business Loans saves you time by matching your restaurant with lenders and brokers who understand hospitality — from single-site cafés to multi-site casual dining groups.

We work to increase your chance of a suitable match by selecting partners with relevant sector experience so proposals are practical and focused. Get Matched with a Hospitality Finance Specialist

What type of restaurant funding do you need?

Working capital & cash flow

Short-term loans or cashflow facilities to cover seasonal lulls, emergency bills or payroll. Typical amounts: £10k–£250k; terms vary from a few months to several years depending on product.

Fit-out & refurbishment finance

Funding for kitchen refits, dining refurbishments or full fit-outs for new sites. Typical amounts: £20k–£500k+. Many lenders offer staged funding to match project milestones.

Kitchen & equipment finance

Asset finance or hire-purchase for ovens, fridges, POS systems and extraction units. Amounts: £10k upwards; terms often 3–7 years and can be secured on the equipment.

Stock, supplier and VAT funding

Short-term advances to cover large supplier invoices or VAT liabilities. Products include invoice finance or short-term bridging; amounts and terms depend on turnover and security.

Multi-site expansion & acquisition

Commercial mortgages, development finance or structured lending for buying sites or rolling out new branches. Amounts typically start higher; expect longer underwriting and term agreements.

How our restaurant finance matching works

1. Quick enquiry: Tell us a few details about your company, need and contact details (takes around 2 minutes).
2. Targeted matching: We select lenders/brokers from our panel best suited to your sector and funding need.
3. Rapid response: A partner will contact you to discuss options and may request documents for formal quotes.
4. Compare and decide: Review offers, negotiate terms with lenders, and decide which option fits your business. There is no obligation to accept any offer.

Start your two-minute enquiry — Free Eligibility Check

Finance options available to UK restaurants

Representative timelines and amounts are illustrative — exact availability, pricing and speed depend on lender criteria and documentation. Completing our enquiry helps us match you to the right product type quickly.

Eligibility essentials & what lenders look for

• Minimum trading history: many lenders prefer at least 12 months trading (some specialist partners consider newer operations with strong plans).
• Annual turnover and profitability — lenders assess ability to repay.
• Business and director credit history — impacts pricing and availability.
• Security and collateral — required for larger or longer-term loans.
• Management information: accounts, bank statements, business plan and cashflow forecast.

If your restaurant has had a previous decline, we can often still match you with brokers experienced in adverse-credit cases. Get Quote Now

Costs, terms, and responsible borrowing

Rates and fees vary with product, lender, credit profile and security. Typical APRs for business loans can range widely — from lower rates for secured, long-term lending to higher costs for unsecured or short-term products. Expect arrangement fees, early repayment terms and potential personal guarantees for many facilities.

Responsible borrowing is essential: only commit to finance you can reasonably repay. When matched, lenders and brokers will perform affordability checks and outline costs clearly — it’s important to review all terms before proceeding.

Why restaurants choose our panel of lenders

Our partners specialise in hospitality and understand sector seasonality, supplier cycles and peak trading months. They offer flexible underwriting and products tailored for restaurants, from stepped repayments to staged fit-out drawdowns.

Representative example: “Matched with a specialist broker, our client secured a £75,000 equipment facility within 10 days to replace kitchen kit and stabilise services.”

Compare My Options

Case snapshots — real hospitality funding stories

Case 1 — Independent bistro

Challenge: Seasonal cashflow shortfall after winter months. Solution: Short-term unsecured working capital advance of £25,000 to cover supplier invoices and payroll. Outcome: Funds released in 5 days; client stabilised cashflow and repaid on term. (Representative example.)

Case 2 — Multi-site casual dining

Challenge: Rollout of two new sites needing fit-out funding. Solution: A blended package of asset finance and a staged refurbishment facility totalling £400,000. Outcome: Drawdowns aligned to fit-out stages; repayment terms matched projected sales ramp-up. (Representative example.)

Case 3 — Takeaway needing fast equipment replacement

Challenge: Faulty extraction unit affecting trading. Solution: Equipment finance approved within 48 hours for £18,000. Outcome: Minimal downtime and improved service levels. (Representative example.)

Getting prepared — documents checklist

Having the right documents speeds up quotes and approvals. Typical list:

• Latest 12–24 months business accounts (or management accounts)
• Recent business bank statements (3–6 months)
• VAT returns (if applicable)
• Lease or property details
• Cashflow forecast and business plan for new openings or pre-trading sites
• Director ID and proof of address

We handle your details securely and only share them with partners suited to your request.

Frequently asked questions

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No. Filling our enquiry form does not affect your credit score. Lenders may carry out credit checks only if you proceed with a formal application.

How quickly can I get funding?

Speed depends on product and complexity. Short-term and unsecured facilities can fund in 24–72 hours; larger secured loans and property finance take longer.

Do you charge businesses to use the service?

Our matchmaking service is free for businesses. We are paid by lenders or brokers only if you proceed — there’s no obligation to accept any offer.

Can newly opened restaurants apply?

Yes. Some partners consider pre-trading or newly launched restaurants where viable business plans and forecasts are provided, although criteria differ by lender.

What if my business has adverse credit?

Our panel includes brokers experienced in supporting businesses with past credit issues. Approval and pricing remain subject to underwriting and affordability checks.

Speak to a Restaurant Finance Specialist

Ready to explore your restaurant finance options?

If you need funding to smooth cash flow, upgrade equipment, refit premises or expand sites, Fast Business Loans can connect you quickly with lenders and brokers that understand hospitality. It takes less than two minutes to complete our enquiry form and there’s no obligation. Get Your Free Eligibility Check

For more sector-specific insight, see our restaurants guidance at restaurants business loans.

Compliance & transparency statement

Fast Business Loans is an introducer — we do not provide loans or regulated financial advice. Matches are introductions to lenders or brokers who will discuss terms and conduct underwriting. All funding is subject to lender criteria and affordability checks. We aim to be fair, clear and not misleading in how we present options. Please review lender terms and seek independent advice if unsure.

Privacy: Your details are treated confidentially and only shared with partners relevant to your enquiry. See our privacy policy for more information.