What is a Line of Credit for a Restaurant?
A business line of credit for a restaurant works a lot like a credit card; if you take out a business line of credit, you can borrow money up to a set credit limit. You may either carry a balance and make your minimum monthly payments or pay it off in full. Fortunately, you’ll only pay interest on the amount you withdraw.
As you repay what you’ve borrowed, you’ll be able to borrow more without having to apply for new credit. A restaurant business line of credit is more flexible than a traditional loan in which you receive a lump sum of money upfront.
How to Use a Business Line of Credit for Your Restaurant
There are a number of ways you can use a line of credit for your restaurant. Below, you'll find a few examples of how small business owners use loans in the restaurant industry.
1. Startup Expenses
If you’re a brand new restaurant or have plans to start a restaurant from scratch, a line of credit may be ideal for the various expenses you’ll incur right off the bat. These might include equipment, initial food items, utilities, marketing, and payroll.
2. Add or Update Equipment
Equipment is essential to any restaurant. A business line of credit can help you cover the cost of a new oven or range. It may also help you fund freezers, refrigerators and smaller items like food processors and mixers. In addition, you might use a line of credit to upgrade outdated equipment that no longer works or functions optimally.
3. Meet Seasonal Demand
There’s a good chance the demand for your restaurant
fluctuates based on the season. This is particularly true if you operate in a touristy area or attract guests because of your patio or other outdoor features. A restaurant line of credit can make it easier for you to handle seasonal ebbs and flows.
4. Promote Your Offerings
Even if you have a loyal customer base, it can’t hurt to market your restaurant to new patrons. With a business line of credit for a restaurant, you can build a website or improve your current one, invest in paid search or social media marketing, start a direct mail campaign, or even hire a marketing consultant to help you out.
5. Pay for Franchise Obligations
If your restaurant is a franchise, you’ll have various fees to pay throughout the year. A line of credit for a restaurant can be used to cover them when you’re experiencing cash flow shortages.
6. Expand Your Restaurant
If you’re a local restaurant with one location, you might want to expand to multiple locations or begin to offer catering options. You can use a restaurant line of credit to do so and take your venture to new heights.
How to Apply for and Use a Line of Credit for a Restaurant
If you decide that you want to move forward with a restaurant line of credit, follow these steps.
1. Shop Around
Not all business lines of credit for restaurants are created equal. That’s why it’s in your best interest to shop around and compare all the options at your disposal. Compare their rates, terms, and fees before selecting a credit line provider.
2. Fill Out an Application
Once you decide on a line of credit, fill out the lender’s application form online or in-person. Be prepared to share details about your businesses and finances.
3. Wait for Approval
Approval times vary from lender to lender. Most online lenders, however, will notify you of a decision fairly quickly, sometimes the same day you apply or within 24 hour a few business days.
4. Review the Loan Agreement
Upon approval, carefully review the agreement for your business line of credit for a restaurant. Don’t sign the contract until you’ve read the fine print and are confident that you can pay off your credit line.
5. Withdraw Funds
You can pull money from your line of credit any time you need to as long as you don’t go over your set credit limit. Be careful not to overspend or you may steer yourself into a cycle of debt.
Other Business Financing Options for Restaurants
1. Small Business Loans
Many restaurant owners opt for a term loan, which like the name states, comes with set terms. Although you could apply for a bank loan, you may not qualify if you don't have a strong credit score or own a startup. Even if you do qualify, you may be given a high interest rate to make up for your bad credit or lack of business experience.
Instead, applying for a working capital loan from an alternative lender may be a better option for your restaurant.
2. Equipment Loan
If you need an oven or other restaurant equipment, you may benefit from pursuing an equipment loan. However, if you also need funds for other business expenses, you won't be able to use the equipment loan for these costs.
3. Merchant Cash Advances
Most restaurants accept frequent credit card payments, which is why restaurant owners are a good fit for cash advance programs. When you take out a merchant cash advance, you'll receive lump sum financing in exchange for a portion of your future credit card payments. Due to this, the remittance will be based on your credit card sales at the time, so there are no set terms.
4. SBA Loans
If you can't qualify and secure traditional funding options, you may be approved for an SBA loan. The SBA provides a variety of loan programs to small business owners based in the U.S., spanning a variety of industries. If you can't qualify for other funding options, you may be able to get an SBA loan for your restaurant.
Conclusion: Consider a Business Line of Credit for Your Restaurant
A restaurant line of credit may be the ultimate choice if you like the idea of being able to borrow money whenever you need to. It can give you the flexibility you need and offers higher limits and lower rates than credit cards. But if you’re worried you’ll overborrow or prefer a lump sum of money upfront, you may want to explore other options, such as a restaurant business loan.