Restaurants Business Loans (UK) – Fast Business Loans

Running a restaurant takes grit, great food, and steady cash flow. From seasonal dips to rising supplier costs, one slow week can disrupt the month. Fast Business Loans connects UK restaurants, cafés, takeaways and catering businesses with trusted lenders and brokers who understand hospitality finance. Our service is free to use and there’s no obligation to proceed.

Get a quick quote and free eligibility check in under 2 minutes. We’ll match you to suitable lenders/brokers who’ll contact you with options by email or phone.

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At-a-glance: Restaurant business finance made simple

• Funding purpose: working capital, kitchen equipment, refurbishment/fit-out, energy upgrades, delivery vehicles, expansion, marketing, rent and rates, insurance, VAT/tax bills.
• Typical amounts available: from £10,000 to £5,000,000+ (varies by lender, business profile and security).
• Speed: often from same day to a few days after approval (subject to lender process and product type).
• Security: unsecured and secured options available (subject to status).
• Credit profile: options for a range of circumstances, including businesses with imperfect credit histories.
• How it works: complete a short form, we connect you with selected UK lenders/brokers, receive rapid responses, compare and decide. No pressure, no obligation.

Free Eligibility Check

How our free matching service works

1. Complete a quick enquiry
   Tell us about your restaurant (limited company or LLP), the amount you need, and what it’s for. Takes less than 2 minutes.
2. We match you with suitable partners
   We connect you with UK hospitality-focused lenders and brokers who understand restaurants and catering.
3. Receive rapid responses
   Expect a call or email shortly after. Discuss options, documents, and timescales with real finance professionals.
4. Compare, decide, and fund
   Choose the solution that fits your goals. There’s no obligation to proceed. If you do, your lender/broker will handle funding directly with you.

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Finance options for restaurants and catering businesses

Every venue is different: fine dining, casual dining, quick service, pubs with food, dark kitchens, street food, and event catering. Our partners offer a wide range of products tailored to hospitality.

Working capital and cash flow loans

• Use for staff, stock, utilities, rent, rates, supplier payments, marketing, and short-term gaps.
• Flexible terms from a few months to several years, subject to lender criteria.
• Unsecured options available (personal guarantees may be required).

Merchant cash advance (card takings-based)

• Repayments flex with your card sales, useful for seasonal trade.
• A fixed fee (factor rate) rather than traditional APR, collected as a small percentage of daily card takings.
• Often requires evidence of consistent card revenue from PDQ/EFTPOS terminals.

Equipment and asset finance (kitchen, bar, IT)

• Fund ovens, refrigeration, dishwashers, grills, coffee machines, display units, EPOS systems.
• Options include hire purchase, finance lease, and refinance of owned assets to free up cash.
• Usually secured on the asset being financed. Explore equipment finance.

Fit-out and refurbishment finance

• Finance for refits, front-of-house upgrades, signage, lighting, accessibility improvements, and décor.
• Useful when negotiating landlord contributions or managing contractor stage payments. See fit-out and refurbishment finance.

VAT and tax funding

• Smooth large VAT quarters or corporation tax bills over manageable instalments.
• Helps preserve working capital during peak seasons.

Sustainability and energy efficiency funding

• Upgrade to energy-efficient equipment, solar PV, heat pumps, induction cookers, smart refrigeration, or EV chargers.
• Potential to reduce energy bills and enhance ESG credentials. Learn about sustainability and energy efficiency funding.

Vehicle finance (delivery and catering)

• Fund vans, scooters, e-bikes, and refrigerated vehicles for delivery or event catering.
• Hire purchase, lease, or contract hire options.

Invoice finance (for B2B catering)

• If you operate catering for events, venues, corporate contracts or wholesale, invoice finance can unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices.
• Options include invoice discounting or factoring.

Business lines of credit

• Arrange a revolving facility you can draw and repay as needed.
• Pay interest only on the amount you use.

Consolidation and refinance

• Restructure multiple obligations to improve monthly cash flow (subject to lender assessment).
• Review existing agreements to see if terms can be improved.

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Common scenarios we help with

• Seasonal cash flow: match repayments to sales patterns to navigate quieter months without pressure.
• New menu or concept launch: fund R&D, marketing, and initial stock without draining cash.
• Kitchen breakdown: replace critical equipment rapidly to prevent lost trade.
• Multi-site expansion: open a new location, fund fit-out and staffing plans.
• Delivery pivot: build a delivery arm, invest in packaging, vehicles, and aggregator integrations.
• Energy upgrades: cut utility costs long term with efficient equipment and green tech.
• Event catering growth: fund upfront costs for large contracts while waiting on invoice settlement.

Illustrative example (not a quote or offer): A 60-cover bistro with steady card takings secures a card-takings-based facility and a small asset finance agreement for a new combi oven, keeping cash flow smooth and protecting cash reserves. Actual eligibility, terms and costs depend on your circumstances and lender assessment.

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Eligibility and what lenders look for

Every lender has its own criteria, but you may be asked for:

• Business profile: legal status (e.g., limited company or LLP), trading history, number of sites, cuisine, delivery partners, hygiene rating.
• Financials: recent bank statements, filed accounts or management accounts, VAT returns.
• Revenue: monthly turnover, seasonality, card takings data, delivery sales mix.
• Obligations: existing loans/leases, payment history.
• Credit profile: business and, for some products, director credit checks. Some partners consider adverse credit on a case-by-case basis.
• Security: secured or unsecured. Some lenders may request a personal guarantee.

Documents checklist (typical):

• Last 3–6 months’ business bank statements
• Latest annual accounts or management figures
• Proof of ID and address for directors/owners
• Card processing statements (for merchant cash advance)
• Asset quote/invoice (for equipment/vehicle finance)
• Lease or fit-out quotes (for refurbishment finance)

Good to know:

• Submitting our enquiry form won’t affect your credit score. Our partners may conduct credit checks if you choose to proceed with an application.
• Start-ups can be considered by certain lenders, especially with a solid plan, experience, and any available security.

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Costs, terms, and repayments explained

Costs depend on lender, product type, trading profile, credit history, security, and term length. You’ll receive clear information from our partners before you proceed. No obligation.

What affects price:

• Trading stability and cash flow
• Credit history (business and director)
• Security offered (if any)
• Term length and amount requested
• Purpose of funds

How repayments work:

• Term loans: fixed or variable repayments over an agreed term.
• Merchant cash advance: small percentage of daily card takings until the fixed fee is repaid; repayments flex with turnover.
• Asset/equipment finance: monthly payments, often with ownership at term-end (hire purchase) or options at end of lease.
• Invoice finance: advance on eligible invoices with fees applied to amounts used.
• Lines of credit: draw, repay, redraw; interest charged on the utilised balance.

Important:

• Always read the agreement and fee schedule. Ask the lender/broker to clarify anything you don’t understand.
• Early repayment options vary; some products allow early settlement, which may reduce interest/fees; others may have early repayment charges.
• No single option suits every restaurant. Comparing options is key — that’s why our matching service exists.

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Why restaurants choose Fast Business Loans

• Hospitality focus: We connect you with lenders and brokers who actively fund restaurants, bars, cafés and caterers.
• Speed: Short form, fast matches, rapid responses — without endless paperwork.
• Smarter matching: Improve approval chances by speaking with partners aligned to your sector and needs.
• Free and no obligation: Our service is free for business owners. You’re in control and free to decline any offer.
• Clear, fair, not misleading: We follow the spirit of FCA financial promotion rules and Google’s financial services policies. No unrealistic claims.
• Secure handling of your data: We share details only with relevant partners who can help with your enquiry.

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Responsible promotion and transparency

• We’re not a lender and we don’t offer financial advice. We act as an introducer, connecting UK businesses with trusted finance brokers and lenders.
• Using our service is free for business owners. If you proceed with a lender, commercial arrangements may exist between us and that lender/broker.
• Any examples on this page are illustrative only and not a quote or offer. Product availability and terms vary by lender and eligibility.
• Enquiries via our form do not affect your credit score. If you choose to proceed, lenders/brokers may undertake credit checks.
• We aim to ensure our promotions are clear, fair, and not misleading, in line with FCA guidance and Google policies.

FAQs – Restaurants business loans

Get a Free Eligibility Check

Get started – free, fast, and secure

It takes less than 2 minutes to see your options. Complete the short form, and we’ll match you with hospitality-focused lenders/brokers who can help.

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Important information

FastBusinessLoans.net is a business finance introducer. We are not a lender and do not provide financial advice. We introduce UK businesses to selected finance brokers and/or lenders. Our service is free for business owners; if you proceed with a lender/broker, we may receive a commission. Enquiries via our site do not affect your credit score; if you progress with a lender, they may conduct credit checks. Finance availability and terms are subject to status, affordability, and lender criteria. Always read agreements carefully and seek independent advice if unsure. We aim for clear, fair, and not misleading information in line with FCA guidance for financial promotions and Google’s financial services policies. For UK businesses only. Terms apply.

Ready to explore your options?

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• Get a Free Eligibility Check
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1) How does Fast Business Loans work?
We’re not a lender; we connect UK businesses to trusted brokers and lenders via a quick online enquiry so you can compare finance options fast with no obligation.

2) Does it cost anything to use your service?
No, Fast Business Loans is completely free to use for business owners.

3) Will my enquiry affect my credit score?
No, submitting an enquiry won’t affect your credit score, and any credit checks occur only if you choose to proceed with a lender.

4) How quickly will I hear back and how fast can funding be arranged?
You’ll typically be contacted within hours (often minutes in business hours), and funding speed depends on the lender and product but is often fast once approved.

5) How much can I borrow?
Our partners can help arrange business finance from around £5,000 up to £5 million or more, subject to your circumstances.

6) What types of business finance can you help me find?
We match UK businesses with unsecured and secured business loans, cashflow loans, invoice finance, asset and equipment finance, vehicle finance, refinance solutions, commercial finance, and sustainability loans.

7) Do you support start-ups and small businesses?
Yes, many of our lending partners specialise in start-ups and growing SMEs across the UK.

8) Can I still get matched if I’ve been refused elsewhere or have poor credit?
Yes, because we work with a wide panel of lenders and brokers, you may still be eligible even if you’ve previously been declined.

9) What interest rates and repayment terms can I expect?
Rates and terms vary by lender, product, and your business profile, and your matched partners will provide clear, no-obligation quotes.

10) Are your lenders and brokers FCA-regulated and trustworthy?
Yes, we only connect you with verified UK brokers and lenders who follow FCA guidelines and treat customers fairly.