Restaurant & hospitality finance — how quickly can I fund a refurbishment or expansion?

Summary (TL;DR): Depending on the finance route you choose, funding for a restaurant, pub or hotel refurbishment can arrive anywhere from the same day to several months. Fast options such as merchant cash advances, online short-term loans and equipment finance can deliver funds in 24–72 hours; brokered term loans, commercial mortgages and large property finance take longer. Prepare the right documents and use specialist hospitality brokers to speed things up. Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

Quick benefits: Free eligibility check • Match to specialist lenders & brokers • Typical timescales and practical checklist to speed drawdown.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

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Table of contents

• Quick answer — typical funding timelines
• Why speed varies
• Which finance options work for hospitality — timelines & suitability
• Fast‑track checklist — speed approval & drawdown
• Real examples — quick case studies
• Speed vs cost — what to watch for
• How UK Business Loans helps
• Documents checklist
• FAQ
• Important information & disclaimers

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Quick answer — typical funding timelines at a glance

• Merchant cash advance / revenue-based advance: funds in 24–72 hours (sometimes same day)
• Short-term online business loans: 24 hours to 7 days
• Asset & equipment finance (kitchen equipment, POS): 48 hours to 2 weeks
• Invoice finance: 24–72 hours
• Business term loans via brokers: 3–21 days (depends on documents & underwriting)
• Bridging loans: 1–4 weeks
• Commercial mortgages / property loans: 4–12+ weeks
• Grants / government schemes: weeks to months

Get a quick quote — Free Eligibility Check

Why some finance is almost instant — and why other options take longer

Speed comes down to product design and process. Lenders using automated underwriting and simple security checks can give conditional offers in minutes and funds in hours. Traditional banks and large-value property finance require manual underwriting, valuations, legal work and often third-party consents — that adds days or weeks.

Key factors that determine timescale:

• Product type: MCA and online lenders are fast; mortgages and large term loans are slower.
• Amount: Larger sums commonly need more checks and security.
• Security: Unsecured lending is faster; secured lending (property, major equipment) requires valuations.
• Credit and trading history: Clear, recent accounts and steady takings speed decisions.
• Documentation: Uploading management accounts, bank statements and supplier quotes early reduces delays.
• Third-party permissions: Landlord consent, planning permission or franchise approvals add time.

Example: A small café needing a £20k kitchen upgrade can often use equipment finance and be funded within a week. A hotel acquiring adjacent premises will almost always need longer because of property surveys, legal searches and mortgage underwriting.

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Which finance options are best for restaurant & hospitality refurbishments — and how long they take

1) Merchant cash advance / revenue-based advances

What it is: An advance repaid via a fixed percentage of card takings or daily deductions.

Typical funds: £5k–£200k

Timeline: Same day to 72 hours

Good for: Urgent cashflow needs, emergency repairs or small refurbishments where speed matters.

Risks: Higher cost and variable repayments tied to takings.

2) Short-term / online business loans

What it is: Fast application loans from alternative lenders with simplified underwriting.

Typical funds: £5k–£250k

Timeline: 24 hours–7 days

Good for: Quick fit-outs, bridging a short cashflow gap, or covering supplier deposits.

3) Asset & equipment finance

What it is: Hire purchase or lease arrangements to spread cost of ovens, chillers, extraction and POS systems.

Typical funds: £5k–£200k

Timeline: 48 hours–2 weeks (often aligned with supplier delivery)

Good for: Preserving cash while upgrading kitchen or front-of-house equipment.

4) Invoice finance

What it is: Release cash tied up in unpaid invoices (e.g., catering contracts, B2B sales).

Timeline: 24–72 hours

Good for: Seasonal liquidity or to fund refurb while takings dip.

5) Business term loans arranged via brokers

What it is: Broker-sourced loans from banks and specialist lenders, negotiated for pricing and terms.

Timeline: 3–21 days (document dependent)

Good for: Medium-term funding for larger refurbishments or multi-site roll-outs.

Learn more about wider business funding options via our business loans guidance.

6) Commercial mortgages & property finance

What it is: Finance to purchase or refinance property used by the business.

Timeline: 6–12+ weeks (valuations, legal, searches)

Good for: Major expansions, buying new premises or significant redevelopment.

7) Bridging loans

What it is: Short-term, secured loans to bridge purchase or renovation funding.

Timeline: 1–4 weeks

Good for: Fast property deals and time-sensitive renovations. Expect higher rates and exit strategy clarity.

8) Grants & green loans

What it is: Targeted funds for sustainability upgrades or regional development.

Timeline: Often weeks to months — apply early.

Compare fast restaurant finance options — Get Started

Fast-track checklist — 10 ways to speed approval and drawdown

• Have up‑to‑date management accounts and the last 12 months’ bank statements ready.
• Prepare VAT returns, lease/tenancy agreements and landlord contact details.
• Get supplier quotes for equipment or building work ready to upload.
• Produce a simple P&L and a 3–6 month cashflow forecast showing the purpose of funds.
• Consider asset finance for equipment — faster and often simpler than unsecured loans.
• Be up front about seasonal trading or recent downturns — lenders value transparency.
• Pre‑agree landlord consent where structural changes are planned.
• Choose lenders with automated decisions when speed is the priority (but compare cost).
• Use an experienced hospitality broker to avoid unnecessary rejections.
• Request conditional offers in writing so you can schedule contractors and deliveries.

Ready to speed things up? Free Eligibility Check

Real examples — timings from matched lenders

Example A — Independent bistro
£25k kitchen upgrade funded via equipment finance. Quote in 48 hours, funded in 5 days. Supplier delivered on agreed credit terms.

Example B — Boutique hotel
£450k extension packaged as a brokered term loan combined with a short bridge. Initial offers in 10 days; full completion in 7 weeks after valuation and legal searches.

See how quickly you can get a quote — Start your enquiry

Speed vs cost — what to watch for

Faster products nearly always cost more. For example:

• Merchant cash advances: expensive daily/weekly repayments — useful for immediacy, not long-term financing.
• Bridging loans: higher interest and arrangement fees but quick for property deals.
• Brokered term loans: usually cheaper but take time to assemble the best terms.

Always compare Total Cost of Credit (fees, interest, arrangement charges) and repayment profile, not just headline rate. UK Business Loans introduces you to lenders/brokers so you can compare real offers before committing.

How UK Business Loans helps

We simplify the process and save you time:

• Complete one short enquiry (under 2 minutes).
• We match you to hospitality‑experienced lenders and brokers.
• Expect contact — often within hours — to get clarity, conditional quotes or next steps.
• Compare offers and pick the one that suits timing, cost and flexibility.

Free, confidential and no obligation. Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

What you’ll need to apply — quick checklist

• Business name, registration number and contact details
• Recent management accounts or statutory accounts (latest 1–3 years)
• Bank statements (12 months recommended)
• VAT returns (if registered)
• Lease/tenancy agreements and any landlord contact
• Supplier or contractor quotes for the refurbishment/fit-out
• Director ID and proof of address
• Simple cashflow forecast showing how funds will be used and repaid

Frequently asked questions

Still unsure? Get a free eligibility check now

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Important information & disclaimers

• UK Business Loans is an introducer — we do not lend money and we do not provide regulated financial advice.
• We connect enquiries to lenders and brokers who will provide offers and terms directly.
• Submitting an enquiry does not automatically affect your credit score; lenders may carry out credit searches if you proceed with an application.
• Timescales stated are typical ranges and illustrative only — individual cases will vary depending on circumstances and lender processes.
• This page is for information only. For regulated advice, contact the lender or broker directly.

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Ready to get an accurate, no-obligation quote and see realistic timelines for your refurbishment or expansion? Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

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business loans

1) How quickly can I get a business loan for a restaurant or hospitality refurbishment?
Timelines range from same day or 24–72 hours for merchant cash advances and equipment finance to 1–4 weeks for bridging and 4–12+ weeks for commercial mortgages and large property loans.

2) What types of business finance can UK Business Loans match me with?
We match you to merchant cash advances, short-term online loans, asset/equipment finance, invoice finance, brokered term loans, bridging loans, commercial mortgages and targeted grants/green loans.

3) Will submitting an enquiry to UK Business Loans affect my credit score?
No — submitting an enquiry is a free eligibility check and does not affect your credit score; lenders may run credit checks only if you proceed with a formal application.

4) Is UK Business Loans free to use?
Yes — our matching service and eligibility check are free for business owners, and we may receive a fee from partners only after a successful completed enquiry.

5) How much can I borrow through the lenders you introduce?
Available amounts vary by product from roughly £5k–£250k for online, equipment and short-term loans up to multi‑million sums for commercial mortgages and large-scale financing.

6) Can start-ups or businesses with bad credit get a business loan through your service?
Yes — we work with specialist lenders and brokers who consider start-ups and businesses with imperfect credit, though options, rates and security requirements will differ.

7) What documents should I prepare to speed up approval and drawdown?
Have recent management or statutory accounts, 12 months of bank statements, VAT returns (if registered), lease and landlord details, supplier/contractor quotes, director ID and a simple cashflow forecast ready.

8) Are the lenders and brokers you introduce regulated and trustworthy?
We introduce reputable, FCA‑regulated brokers and lenders where applicable, but you should confirm the regulatory status and protections with the individual provider you choose.

9) Do I need landlord consent to fund a refurbishment or fit‑out?
Often yes — landlords commonly require written consent for structural or external works, and pre‑agreeing consent will speed lender approvals and drawdown.

10) Is the online enquiry form the same as applying for a loan and what happens next?
No — the short enquiry form is not an application; it’s used to match your business to suitable lenders/brokers who will contact you with eligibility feedback, conditional quotes or next steps.