Restaurant Business Loans & Finance in the UK

Summary: Fast Business Loans connects UK restaurant owners with lenders and brokers that specialise in hospitality finance. We can help you access loans and finance from £10,000 upwards for working capital, fit-outs, equipment, VAT/tax needs, property finance and more. An enquiry is not a loan application — it’s a free, no-obligation way to get matched quickly to suitable finance partners. Complete a Free Eligibility Check in under 2 minutes and receive tailored options from specialist lenders and brokers.

Why restaurants need flexible finance

Running a restaurant means handling tight margins, unpredictable footfall and sudden costs. Whether you face rising food and energy costs, staffing gaps, seasonal troughs or the need to invest in a new kitchen or delivery platform, having quick access to appropriate finance can keep your business operating and allow growth.

Common funding pressures in hospitality

• Unpredictable cash flow and seasonal swings
• Cost rises for ingredients, utilities and labour
• Urgent equipment failure or replacement
• Refurbishment to stay competitive
• Expansion to new sites or conversion of delivery operations

Strategic uses for restaurant finance

• Working capital to smooth payroll and supplier payments
• Fit-out and refurbishment of dining areas or kitchens
• Equipment and asset finance for ovens, refrigeration and POS systems
• Funding for new site openings and deposits
• VAT, tax or seasonal stock financing
• Bridge or commercial mortgages for property-heavy operators

Want to see what options fit your business? Get Started — Free Eligibility Check (Takes under 2 minutes. No obligation.)

How Fast Business Loans supports UK restaurants

We are a specialist introducer — we do not lend or provide regulated financial advice. Instead, we match your business to lenders and brokers with hospitality expertise so you can compare relevant offers quickly and without unnecessary searching.

Our 4-step matching process

1. Submit a short enquiry describing your business and funding need.
2. We match you to lenders/brokers experienced in hospitality finance.
3. Matched partners contact you with questions and indicative options.
4. You review offers and choose whether to proceed — lenders carry out full checks if you accept.

What to expect after you submit an enquiry

• Fast response: many partners respond within hours on business days.
• No initial credit impact: submitting the enquiry does not affect your credit rating.
• Lenders may request more documents and perform credit and affordability checks if you choose to progress.

Free Eligibility Check — get matched to hospitality lenders and brokers quickly.

Types of restaurant finance we can introduce

Note: amounts, terms and security requirements are set by lenders; Fast Business Loans connects you with partners who may be able to help — we cannot guarantee approval.

Eligibility criteria & what lenders look for

Core eligibility factors

• Minimum loan sizes: typically £10,000 and up for many products
• Trading history and turnover — many lenders prefer established businesses
• Profitability or realistic forecasts for start-ups
• Director credit profiles and previous loan history
• Security offered (asset-backed or personal guarantees may be required)

Documents to prepare

• Recent management accounts and trading figures
• Business bank statements (3–12 months)
• Cashflow forecast and business plan (especially for new concepts)
• Lease or property agreements and licences
• Details of existing debts

Check Your Eligibility in Minutes — no obligation and no impact on your credit score.

Rates, fees & responsible borrowing

Rates and fees vary significantly by product, lender and business risk. Typical APRs for restaurant finance range widely depending on the product (merchant cash advances and unsecured short-term products are usually more expensive than secured longer-term loans). Expect arrangement fees, broker fees and early repayment charges in some cases.

Fast Business Loans does not set rates — lenders do. We recommend you consider affordability carefully and compare total cost of credit, not only monthly payments. If you’re unsure, discuss options with your matched broker or seek independent advice before committing.

Restaurant funding scenarios

Example 1 — Independent bistro refurbishment (£80,000)

Challenge: A family-owned bistro needed a full dining-room refit to attract a higher-spend evening crowd. Solution: Asset-backed fit-out finance combined with a short-term working capital loan to cover disruption. Outcome: Work completed within six weeks; new menu and seating increased evening covers by 20% in three months. Figures illustrative only.

Example 2 — Multi-site operator smoothing seasonal cash flow

Challenge: A three-site operator needed quick access to cash ahead of the Christmas rush. Solution: Merchant cash advance to boost inventory and staffing costs. Outcome: Cash available within days; repayments linked to card turnover allowed flexibility. Figures illustrative only.

Example 3 — Street-food brand scaling to permanent premises

Challenge: Popular street-food stall wanted to move into a permanent unit and buy kitchen equipment. Solution: Combination of start-up friendly lender for site deposit plus equipment finance. Outcome: Site opened within 10 weeks and revenue exceeded forecasts in month three. Figures illustrative only.

How to strengthen your application

1. Update and stress-test cashflow forecasts — show best, expected and worst case.
2. Keep up-to-date management accounts and neat bank statements.
3. Highlight customer data: online orders, bookings and positive reviews.
4. Show cost-control measures and supplier agreements.
5. If start-up, prepare a strong pitch and demonstrate owner experience and savings.

Here’s the kicker: lenders want confidence you can repay. The clearer and more realistic your numbers, the faster you’ll get offers.

Comparing lenders — what to ask

• What is the total cost of the finance (APR and all fees)?
• Are there arrangement, broker or ongoing fees?
• What security or personal guarantees are required?
• What are prepayment or early settlement terms?
• How will repayments be collected and how flexible are they?

Always read terms and conditions and get clarity on the total cost before signing.

Why restaurants choose Fast Business Loans

We specialise in hospitality finance introductions. Our advantages:

• Sector-savvy matching to brokers and lenders who understand restaurants
• Quick, free and no obligation enquiries — no initial credit impact
• Access to a broad panel of partners (loans from £10k upwards)
• Secure handling of your data and timely partner responses

“Fast Business Loans helped us find the right fit-out finance quickly — the matched broker understood our concept and got competitive terms.” — (testimonial placeholder)

Get Quote Now — we’ll match you to lenders who specialise in restaurants.

FAQs — Restaurant business finance

Will applying through Fast Business Loans affect my credit score?

No — submitting an enquiry does not affect your credit score. Lenders or brokers may perform credit searches only if you decide to proceed with an offer.

Can start-up restaurants apply?

Yes. We work with partners who support start-ups, but new ventures typically need stronger forecasts and may be asked for additional security or personal guarantees.

How quickly can funding be released?

Some lenders can provide indicative terms within 24–48 hours; funding times vary by product — from a few days for merchant cash and equipment finance to several weeks for secured property loans.

Do lenders require security or personal guarantees?

Many will, especially for larger amounts or if trading history is limited. The security could be assets, a charge on property, or a director personal guarantee — this varies by lender.

What information do I need to provide?

Basic business details, recent accounts or forecasts, bank statements and information on the purpose and amount of the loan. Having documents ready speeds up the process.

Is there a fee for using Fast Business Loans?

No — our matching service is free for business owners. Lenders or brokers may charge fees, which they will disclose before you agree to proceed.

Can I request multiple offers to compare?

Yes. One of the benefits of using our service is that you can receive multiple offers from different lenders/brokers and compare terms before deciding.

Next steps

Ready to explore tailored finance options for your restaurant? Complete our short enquiry to get matched with hospitality lenders and brokers. What happens next:

• You complete a short, secure enquiry form (takes <2 minutes).
• We match your business with suitable partners and share your details securely.
• One or more brokers/lenders will contact you to discuss options and next steps.

Important: An enquiry is not a loan application — it’s a way to receive personalised offers and expert contact. Start Your Free Eligibility Check Now — no obligation, secure and quick.

For more sector guidance on restaurant funding and specialist options, see our detailed industry page on Restaurant business loans.

– Is Fast Business Loans a lender?
No—Fast Business Loans is a specialist introducer that matches UK restaurant businesses to trusted hospitality lenders and brokers; we don’t lend or provide regulated financial advice.

– What types of restaurant finance can you help with?
We can introduce working capital loans, merchant cash advances, equipment and asset finance, fit-out/refurbishment funding, VAT/tax loans, invoice finance, and commercial mortgages/bridging.

– What can I use a restaurant business loan for?
Funding can cover working capital, fit-outs, kitchen and POS equipment, VAT/tax liabilities, new site openings, stock, and property purchases or bridging.

– What is the minimum loan amount available for restaurants?
Most lender products on this page start from around £10,000+, with amounts, terms and security set by the lender.

– Will completing your enquiry form affect my credit score?
No—the enquiry is a free, no-obligation eligibility check and only if you choose to proceed can lenders run credit searches.

– How quickly can a UK restaurant get funding?
Many partners respond within hours, with funding from a few days for merchant cash advance/equipment finance to several weeks for secured property loans.

– Do you support start-up or early-stage restaurants?
Yes—partners that specialise in start-ups may fund viable new concepts, typically requiring strong forecasts and sometimes personal guarantees or security.

– What documents do lenders usually ask for?
Expect recent management accounts or forecasts, 3–12 months of business bank statements, a cashflow forecast/business plan, ID, lease or property details, and any existing debt information.

– Will I need security or a personal guarantee?
Often yes—many lenders require asset security or a director personal guarantee, especially for larger amounts or limited trading history, though this varies by product.

– Are there fees and what will the finance cost me?
Our matching service is free for business owners, while loan rates and any lender/broker fees vary by product and risk and will be disclosed so you can compare the total cost.