Restaurant Business Loans For Good & Bad Credit in 2026
Compare loans for restaurants — equipment, buildout, working capital, and franchise financing.
Get your rate in minutes
No credit score impact
Borrow up to $500,000+
Restaurant Business Loans
Opening or expanding a restaurant requires significant capital — kitchen equipment, buildout, inventory, staffing, and marketing. Restaurant-specific lenders understand the industry’s unique cash flow patterns and can offer financing tailored to food service businesses.
Compare the best lenders for restaurant business loans below.
Best Lenders for Restaurant Loans
| Lender | Product | Max amount | Min. credit | Funding |
| Lendio | Marketplace | $5,000,000 | Varies | Varies |
| Bluevine | Line of credit | $250,000 | 625 | Same day |
| OnDeck | Term loan / LOC | $250,000 | 625 | Same day |
| Fundbox | Line of credit | $150,000 | 600 | Next day |
| Kabbage (Amex) | Line of credit | $150,000 | 640 | Minutes |
| SmartBiz | SBA loan | $5,000,000 | 675 | 4-8 weeks |
Restaurant Startup & Expansion Costs
Full-service restaurant opening: $175,000–$750,000. Fast-casual restaurant: $100,000–$350,000. Kitchen equipment: $50,000–$200,000. Buildout and renovation: $50,000–$300,000. Franchise fee: $20,000–$50,000. Initial inventory and supplies: $5,000–$25,000.
Best Loan Types for Restaurants
SBA Loans
Best for new restaurant openings and franchise purchases. SBA 7(a) loans up to $5M with terms up to 25 years.
Equipment Financing
Finance ovens, refrigerators, POS systems, and other kitchen equipment with the equipment as collateral.
Business Line of Credit
Manage seasonal cash flow fluctuations and cover daily operating expenses like inventory and payroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a loan to open a restaurant?
Yes. SBA loans and equipment financing are available for new restaurants with a solid business plan. Franchise restaurants have higher approval rates.
What if I have bad credit?
Fundbox accepts 600+. Equipment financing is easier since the equipment is collateral. Consider a co-signer to improve your chances.
Bluevine
- Line of credit up to $250,000
- As low as 7.80%
- Same-day funding
Bluevine offers revolving lines of credit with same-day draws.
OnDeck
- Loans up to $250,000
- Term loans and lines of credit
- Same-day funding
OnDeck offers same-day term loans for established businesses.
Kabbage (Amex)
- Line of credit up to $150,000
- Funding in minutes
- Low minimums
Kabbage offers the fastest business funding available.
