November 14, 2019
Restaurant Loan Types, Strategies, Facts, Figures and more
It’s a fast-paced business and one that tends to be cutthroat. However, the rewards can be substantial. It is a capital-intensive business that requires the right funding choices as most budding restaurateurs do not have the cash needed to get started. Therefore, some form of financing or restaurant loan will be needed to help get the restaurant going. There are several components to financing a restaurant, and that is what will be covered in this article.
Restaurant Startup Costs
The costs of starting a restaurant are significant. These costs will be a consideration for a restaurant loan. The location is a big factor as it will cost more to set up and operate restaurants in larger cities than it will for smaller towns. The rents charged in large cities are high, but there is more potential for customers, which should theoretically make up for those higher costs. The land and building are the highest initial costs for restaurants, followed by equipment and furniture. Plates, glasses, and silverware are usually one-time costs, and the costs will depend on the capacity of the restaurant. The following is a breakdown of some of the startup costs to consider:- The total average cost is roughly $275,000 for the business in a leased building. Buying the building will bump up that number to approximately $475,000. It depends largely on the location, too. (Source: Sage Accounting Software)
- Kitchen and bar equipment costs an average of $115,000. (Source: ShopKeep)
- Tables and furniture cost an average of $40,000. (Source: ShopKeep)
- Liquor licenses. Costs depend on state and type of operation. It can be as low as $3,000 on up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. (Source: Upserve Restaurant Insider)
- Payment and ordering systems are likely to cost $20,000, depending on the set up of the restaurant. (Source: Sage Accounting Software)
Different Restaurant Loan Types
Some restaurant business loan types are better suited for the restaurant business model than others. Business owners who wish to retain 100% equity should choose loans over equity financing. This prevents family members from becoming unwanted partners. It is possible for restaurant owners to obtain financing from traditional commercial lending institutions such as banks. Small business lending options are available, as well. For working capital, restaurants can obtain business lines of credit, as this will help during cash flow shortfalls that are common in the restaurant business. Loans backed by the Small Business Administration are also an option for some restaurant owners.
Traditional Commercial Lending
Contrary to popular belief, banks will lend money to fund a restaurant business. It won’t be the quickest way to obtain the capital, however. It could take months for a bank to approve the loan, and this approval is not guaranteed. The advantage of this type of loan is the interest rates are likely to be attractive. It’s possible this option will offer the best rates out of all the options. It will require the potential restaurant owner to have good-to-excellent credit, though. Depending on the circumstances, the bank may also require personal guarantees or collateral. Banks considering lending to restaurant owners would prefer that the owners have experience in the industry. While this isn’t essential, it can boost the chances of getting funding. Therefore, if you are not experienced in the restaurant industry, consider starting your business with catering to get the experience you need. There are companies that rent commercial kitchen space for caterers and other food businesses. It’s a perfect way to get started while learning how the industry works. It’s also a way to expand networking opportunities. At Fora Financial, we published an article about the pros and cons of opening a food truck business. As the capital requirements are less intensive than a full-scale restaurant, it is another alternative to gain experience in the food industry.Business Line of Credit
When running a restaurant, erratic cash flows are the norm. It goes with the territory. This makes it difficult to meet short-term obligations like payroll and supplier payments. It also can hinder a restaurant owner’s ability to take advantage of opportunities that could help the business. A business line of credit can fill in the gap of erratic cash flows with much-needed liquidity. A line of credit is a short-term loan for an agreed-upon amount of money. The restaurant owner can tap into the cash up to the maximum amount but is not required to use all of it. The advantage is that interest is only charged on the amount borrowed at that moment in time. When the owner pays back the loan in full, it is once again available to be used at a later date. The few disadvantages of this type of loan are the interest rates tend to be higher than alternative loans, and it may be tempting for restaurant owners to overextend which could hurt the business if these funds are not paid back in a timely manner.Small Business Lending
At Fora Financial, we offer small business lending to help business owners who are experiencing cash flow shortages. This type of loan is a short-term loan for businesses that reasonably expect to receive payments from customers in the near future. It can help them get through the business cycle and repay the loan when they finally receive their payments. There is usually no collateral needed for this type of loan, and it can be used to borrow money for up to fifteen months. There are discounts for paying the loan off early, too. If you need $5,000-$50,000 to help with your cash flow management, this may be the right loan for your business. The above is different than a small business loan available from the Small Business Administration (SBA). Since an SBA loan has the backing of a government entity, this type of loan helps lower the risk for qualified lenders. A qualified lender is approved by the SBA to offer small business loans. The SBA was created to help small business owners and startups get the funding they require. Even business owners with less-than-perfect credit can qualify due to the loan being backed by the agency. SBA-approved lenders may have higher standards during the approval process, however.
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Things Needed for Applying for Restaurant Loans
Each of the items in this section will vary by lender, but many will ask for several of them. Lenders may require personal financial statements from all potential partners and owners and will consider the credit rating of each owner. They may also require a personal guarantee or collateral of personal property as a condition of funding. The lenders will ask for personal tax returns for several years. Lenders may also request resumes of the owners to gauge industry experience. On the business end, a detailed business plan will be requested, specifying the following:- Sales forecasts or projections.
- Break-even analysis
- Marketing plan on how customers will be acquired
- Projected startup costs, with detailed schedules for implementation
- Projected operational costs, including salaries of staff, inventory, and training
- Lenders may ask for a breakout of fees and licenses required to run the business. Most restaurants require food permits and liquor licenses if alcohol is served. A music license may be required if music will be played in the restaurant to ensure compliance with copyright laws. It is prudent for potential restaurant owners to discuss the business plans with city or town officials to learn of other provisions and avoid any negative surprises.