Restaurant Business Loans & Finance for UK Hospitality

Summary: Fast Business Loans connects UK restaurants with lenders and brokers who specialise in hospitality finance. We help you compare options for working capital, equipment finance, fit-outs, merchant cash advances and more — from £10,000 upwards. Submitting an enquiry is free and no obligation; it won’t affect your credit score and lets us match you with the best providers for your circumstances. Ready to see your options? Free Eligibility Check.

Why restaurant businesses seek finance in 2025

Running a restaurant today means managing tight margins, rising input and energy costs, fluctuating demand and ongoing investment to stay competitive. Owners often need flexible finance to keep tills topped-up, refresh the dining experience, or scale delivery and digital ordering.

• Short-term cashflow gaps caused by seasonality or supplier timings.
• Equipment replacement or new kitchen kit to improve service or efficiency.
• Fit-outs, refurbishments and compliance-driven upgrades.
• Expansion to a new site or investment in delivery/ghost kitchens.

Here’s the takeaway: whether you’re bridging working capital or funding a significant upgrade, the right product can protect margins and accelerate growth. If you’d like a quick sense check, start with our Free Eligibility Check.

Restaurant finance options we can help you explore

We don’t lend — we match you with lenders and brokers who specialise in hospitality. Below are the most common options restaurant owners ask us to source.

Working capital & cashflow loans

Purpose: smooth daily cashflow, cover staff or supplier payments. Typical terms range from 6–36 months. Amounts from £10,000 upwards. Repayments are usually monthly; rates depend on provider and security.

Equipment finance & leasing

Purpose: buy or lease kitchen equipment, ovens, refrigeration. Terms typically 2–5 years. Often structured so cashflow matches equipment life; may include VAT and maintenance packages through lenders.

Fit-out & refurbishment funding

Purpose: refurbish dining areas or kitchens, upgrade ventilation or accessibility. Facilities available unsecured or secured against assets; terms vary 12 months to 5+ years depending on size.

Merchant cash advance (card turnover funding)

Purpose: quick access to cash repaid via a percentage of card takings. Fast to obtain; suitable for businesses with steady card volumes. Cost is structured as a factor rate (not a conventional APR) — ask providers for examples.

Invoice finance for catering contracts

Purpose: unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices from corporate or event clients. Typical facilities include invoice discounting or factoring with flexible drawdown based on invoice values.

Asset refinance & consolidation

Purpose: refinance existing equipment or loans to simplify repayments and potentially reduce monthly costs. Suitable for established operators seeking to restructure debt.

Start-up & pre-launch support

Purpose: funding for new restaurant launches or pop-ups. Lenders here are selective; they often require a strong business plan, sector experience and realistic forecasts.

Rates and exact terms vary across lenders. To compare options tailored to your business, complete our short form for a Free Eligibility Check.

How Fast Business Loans works for restaurants

1. Tell us about your needs: complete a quick form — usually under two minutes.
2. We match your case: your details are shared (with your consent) to selected lenders and brokers who have hospitality expertise.
3. Receive tailored offers: lenders/brokers typically contact you within hours to discuss terms and next steps.
4. You choose: review proposals, ask questions, and decide whether to proceed. There is no obligation to accept any offer.

Your enquiry is a way for us to find appropriate partners — it is not a loan application by itself. Submitting an enquiry will not affect your credit rating. If you proceed with a lender, they may perform standard credit or identity checks and will tell you in advance.

Get My Restaurant Loan Quote — free, no obligation.

Eligibility checklist & what information helps

Lenders assess each case differently, but having the right information ready speeds up quoting and decision-making.

Trading history & performance

• Established restaurants with 12+ months trading generally access more options.
• Strong card takings and consistent turnover are positive indicators.
• For newer businesses, experienced management, a clear business plan and realistic forecasts help.

Documentation lenders commonly request

• Last 6–12 months bank statements (business account)
• Recent management accounts or VAT returns
• Proof of premises (lease or ownership) and any licenses
• Estimates/quotes for equipment or refurbishment costs

Strong points lenders like to see: steady card sales, positive gross margins, good supplier relationships, and clear cost-control measures. If you’re unsure, try our Free Eligibility Check to get a quick assessment.

Rates, terms & costs — what to expect

Costs vary by product, security and lender. Below is a simplified guide to help you compare products — illustrations only.

Illustrations are for guidance only. Actual rates, APRs and fees will be provided by the lender/broker after assessment.

When restaurant finance can make a difference

Common scenarios where finance can deliver tangible results:

• New site launch: fund deposits, fit-out and initial stock.
• Refurbishment: modernising interiors and kitchens to lift covers and pricing.
• Seasonal gaps: bridge supplier bills during quieter months.
• Delivery & tech investment: scale online ordering, POS and ghost kitchens.
• Energy efficiency: invest in equipment that reduces long-term operating costs.

Curious how this might look for your business? Get Quote Now — quick, free and no obligation.

Why restaurants choose Fast Business Loans

1. Hospitality-focused matching — we link you with partners who understand restaurants.
2. Speed — many businesses receive calls or emails within hours.
3. Free and no obligation — there’s no charge to submit your enquiry.
4. Support across business sizes — single sites through to multi-site operators.
5. Human-led introductions — we avoid generic mass emails and match you with relevant contacts.

We also maintain industry resources and sector pages to help owners learn more — for example our dedicated restaurants business loans page offers sector-specific guidance and product overviews.

What happens after you submit your enquiry?

• Instant confirmation: you’ll receive an email acknowledging your enquiry.
• Matching: your case is sent to selected lenders or brokers tailored to your needs.
• Contact: expect contact by phone or email to discuss details and document requirements.
• Proposals: lenders provide terms or proposals for you to review.
• Decision: you choose whether to proceed; if accepted, typical funding times range from 24 hours (fast products) to 2+ weeks (larger secured facilities).

Remember: Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender or financial adviser. We recommend you read any lender proposal carefully and ask questions before committing.

Restaurant finance FAQs

Ready to explore your options? Our matching process is fast and free. Submit a short, no-obligation enquiry now and we’ll connect you with restaurant-savvy lenders and brokers: Free Eligibility Check.

– What types of restaurant finance can I get in the UK? We can match you with working capital loans, equipment finance and leasing, fit-out/refurbishment funding, merchant cash advances, invoice finance and asset refinance tailored to hospitality.
– Am I eligible for a restaurant business loan if I’m a start-up? Some lenders back start-ups if you have relevant hospitality experience, a solid business plan and realistic forecasts, though options may be fewer or require security or a personal guarantee.
– Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score? No—our enquiry is not a loan application and won’t affect your credit score; checks only occur if you choose to proceed with a lender.
– How much can I borrow for a restaurant loan? Facilities typically start from £10,000, with higher amounts available for established operators or secured cases.
– How fast can I get funding for my restaurant? Fast products like merchant cash advances can fund in 24–72 hours once documents are supplied, while larger secured facilities usually take one to three weeks.
– What documents do lenders usually need for restaurant finance? Expect 6–12 months of business bank statements, recent management accounts or VAT returns, proof of premises and licences, and quotes for equipment or refurbishment.
– What rates, terms and fees should I expect on restaurant loans? Terms often range from 6–60 months with arrangement or documentation fees, and costs vary by product and security (merchant cash advances use a factor rate rather than an APR).
– How do repayments work, especially for merchant cash advances? Working capital and equipment loans are repaid in fixed instalments, while merchant cash advances take an agreed percentage of your daily or weekly card takings.
– Can you help refinance or consolidate my existing restaurant debt? Yes—we connect operators with lenders who refinance equipment or loans to simplify repayments and improve cashflow.
– How does Fast Business Loans work and what does it cost? You complete a quick free enquiry, we match you with trusted UK lenders and brokers, and there’s no obligation or fee to use our service.