How quickly can I obtain a restaurant business loan in the UK?

Typical answer: You can often get an initial quote within hours and, in many straightforward cases, funds within 24–72 hours for short-term products. Complex deals such as commercial mortgages or multi-site fit-outs usually take weeks. UK Business Loans acts as an introducer and matchmaker — complete a short, free enquiry and we’ll connect you to lenders or brokers who can provide fast, no-obligation quotes.

Short page subtitle: Typical timeframes, what affects speed and how UK Business Loans can get you a free eligibility check and quick quotes.

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Table of contents

• Summary: timescales at a glance
• What speeds up (or slows) the process?
• Step-by-step: how UK Business Loans works
• Typical lender timelines by product
• Common delays & how to avoid them
• Realistic example timelines
• What you’ll be asked & documents checklist
• Pricing, transparency & compliance
• FAQs
• Next steps — ready to start

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Summary: timescales at a glance

Quick overview — these are typical UK timescales once you submit a short enquiry (note: UK Business Loans introduces you to lenders and brokers; times vary by case):

• Short-term unsecured loans / cashflow loans: quote within hours; funds typically 24–72 hours for eligible businesses and straightforward checks.
• Merchant cash advance / card-finance: same-day quotes common; funds 24–48 hours after acceptance.
• Asset / equipment finance (including kitchen equipment): quote 24–48 hours; funds 3–10 business days depending on delivery and valuations.
• Fit-out finance (restaurant refurb): quote 24–72 hours; funds 3–14 days for specialist lenders; longer if staged payments are required.
• Invoice finance: quote same day; activation 24–72 hours once verification complete.
• Commercial mortgage / property refinance: decision often 2–6 weeks; completion 6–12+ weeks (legal searches, surveys and solicitor time).

These are typical ranges — individual outcomes depend on documentation, loan size and lender criteria. UK Business Loans typically works with lenders and brokers for loans of £10,000 and above.

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We are an introducer — not a lender. Submitting an enquiry does not affect your credit score.

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What speeds up the process?

Lenders and brokers look at a handful of predictable items when deciding how quickly they can progress an enquiry. The faster you can give them these details, the quicker you’ll get a quote and the funds.

Key factors

• Complete, accurate information: clear business details, turnover, directors’ information and the purpose of funds.
• Type of product: unsecured and specialist short-term business loans typically move fastest; mortgages and large secured facilities take longer.
• Credit & trading history: established businesses with stable accounts get quicker automated decisions. Lenders offering manual underwriting can still be fast but may need more documents.
• Loan amount & security: small amounts against minimal security are quicker. Larger sums or property security need valuation and solicitor work.
• Hospitality experience: lenders who specialise in restaurants understand seasonality and licensing — that speeds decisions.

Actionable tips to speed things up

• Prepare last 3–6 months of business bank statements and recent management accounts.
• Have director ID (passport/driver’s licence) and proof of address ready.
• Provide lease/tenancy or freehold docs and any licences (e.g., food hygiene, alcohol licence).
• Clarify purpose of funds: working capital, fit-out, equipment, refinance — lenders price differently by use.

Start Your Enquiry — Get Quote Now

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Step-by-step: how UK Business Loans helps you get funds

We don’t lend — we match you with lenders and brokers who specialise in hospitality. Here’s the typical journey after you click to start an enquiry.

Step 1 — Quick enquiry form

The short form asks: company name, contact details, estimated loan amount, purpose (fit-out / working capital / equipment), years trading and a brief note on credit history. It takes around 2 minutes.

Step 2 — Matching

We match your request to a small selection of lenders/brokers who specialise in restaurants and hospitality, prioritising fit, speed and likelihood of an offer.

Step 3 — Partner contact

Matched lenders or brokers usually call or email within hours (during business hours) to confirm details and ask for documents. This is not a formal application — it helps them price the deal quickly.

Step 4 — Compare offers

You receive quotes or indicative terms. Compare APR, fees, term, and early repayment charges. You decide whether to proceed.

Step 5 — Lender checks & funding

If you accept an offer, the chosen lender completes underwriting and any legal steps. Fast unsecured and merchant products fund within 24–72 hours; secured facilities take longer.

Remember: the enquiry form is not an application and will not affect your credit file.

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Typical lender/broker timelines by product

• Unsecured business loan (working capital): quote hours; decision 24–72 hours; funds same day to a few days.
• Merchant cash advance / card finance: same-day quote common; funds 24–48 hours once paperwork signed.
• Invoice finance: quote same day; onboarding 24–72 hours; advance against invoices available quickly thereafter.
• Asset & equipment finance: quote 24–48 hours; funds 3–10 days depending on supplier and delivery.
• Fit-out finance: quote 24–72 hours; funds 3–14 days; staged drawdowns may extend the timeline slightly.
• Commercial mortgage / refinance: decision 2–6 weeks; completion 6–12+ weeks (surveys, solicitors, searches).

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Common delays and how to avoid them

Understanding common hold-ups helps you avoid them:

• Incomplete bank statements: supply consecutive months with transactions visible.
• Lease or title issues: confirm landlord permission, break clauses and service charges early.
• Missing licences: have food hygiene and alcohol licences ready where applicable.
• Poorly explained use of funds: provide a short cashflow note showing how funds will be used and repaid.

Proactive preparation reduces back-and-forth and can shave days off the process.

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Realistic example timelines

Case A — Independent bistro, £25,000 working capital: enquiry made in morning; matched to a specialist short-term lender; call same day; quote within 2 hours; documents emailed and checked; funds in account 3 business days.

Case B — Urban restaurant chain, £500,000 fit-out across two sites: enquiry matched to a broker; initial viability call in 24 hours; broker sourced multiple lenders; offers in 10–14 days; chosen lender conducted valuations and legal checks; staged funds released over 6 weeks.

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What you’ll be asked & documents checklist

Having these ready speeds the process:

• Business bank statements (last 3–6 months)
• Recent management accounts and VAT returns (where applicable)
• Director ID and proof of address
• Lease or freehold paperwork, landlord consent where needed
• Food hygiene certificates, premises licences, and evidence of trading (till rolls, booking data)
• Short cashflow projection (1–3 months) showing the use of funds

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Pricing, transparency and compliance

Faster funding can be available, but often at a higher cost. Specialist quick-turn lenders and merchant finance providers frequently charge higher rates or fees in exchange for speed. Always compare:

• Representative APR (or equivalent cost metric)
• Arrangement and facility fees
• Early repayment charges and penalties
• Any security or personal guarantees required

UK Business Loans is an introducer — we connect you with lenders and brokers. We do not lend money or provide regulated financial advice. Your matched lender or broker will provide full terms and legal disclosures before you sign anything.

Compare Offers — Free, No Obligation

We are an introducer — not a lender or FCA‑authorised adviser. Submitting an enquiry does not affect your credit score.

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FAQs

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No. Submitting an enquiry through UK Business Loans is a soft introduction and will not affect your credit score. Lenders may carry out credit checks later if you choose to proceed.

How quickly will I hear back after I complete the form?

Matched lenders or brokers often contact you within hours during business hours. If you complete the form overnight or at weekends, expect contact the next business day.

Can businesses with imperfect credit get restaurant finance?

Yes — specialist lenders and brokers often work with businesses that have non-standard credit histories, but approval speed and terms vary. Provide full details upfront for a quicker assessment.

Are there loans specifically for kitchen equipment and fit-outs?

Yes — asset finance and fit-out finance are common in hospitality. These products often move faster than property-secured facilities and can be structured to match supplier quotes.

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Next steps — ready to start?

If you need a quick quote and a free eligibility check, complete our short enquiry and we’ll match you to lenders and brokers who specialise in restaurant finance. It takes around 2 minutes — you’ll usually receive contact within hours.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

Important: We are an introducer — not a lender. Submitting an enquiry does not affect your credit score. UK Business Loans organises loans from £10,000 upwards. By submitting your details you agree we may share them with selected lenders and brokers so they can contact you with offers.

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Further reading & resources

For more on restaurant-specific finance options and examples, see our hospitality lending overview at restaurants business loans.

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1. How quickly can I get a restaurant business loan in the UK?
You can often receive quotes within hours and, for short-term products like unsecured loans or merchant cash advances, funds in 24–72 hours, while commercial mortgages and large secured deals typically take several weeks.

2. Will submitting an enquiry through UK Business Loans affect my credit score?
No — submitting an enquiry is a soft introduction and will not affect your credit score unless a lender carries out a formal credit check later if you choose to proceed.

3. What types of restaurant finance can UK businesses access?
Restaurants can access a range of products including unsecured business loans, merchant cash advance/card-finance, invoice finance, asset/equipment finance, fit-out finance and commercial mortgages via our matched lenders and brokers.

4. Can I get a restaurant loan with imperfect or poor credit?
Yes — some specialist lenders and brokers in our network consider imperfect credit, but terms and speed depend on documentation, lender criteria and loan type.

5. How much can I borrow through the lenders UK Business Loans introduces?
Our partner lenders typically arrange funding from around £10,000 up to multi‑million commercial facilities depending on the product and borrower profile.

6. What documents will speed up my restaurant loan application?
Having recent business bank statements, management accounts, director ID and proof of address, lease/freehold and any licences (food hygiene, alcohol) ready will significantly speed up the process.

7. Are the lenders and brokers you match me with FCA‑regulated?
Yes — we only work with reputable UK lenders and brokers who operate under FCA guidelines and follow fair treatment standards.

8. Is faster funding more expensive for restaurant loans?
Often yes — specialist quick-turn lenders and merchant finance providers commonly charge higher rates or fees in exchange for faster funding, so always compare APR and charges.

9. How does UK Business Loans work — is the enquiry an application?
UK Business Loans is an introducer that matches your short enquiry to suitable lenders and brokers; the enquiry is not a formal application and simply helps partners provide fast, no‑obligation quotes.

10. How do I start and how soon will a lender contact me?
Start by completing our two‑minute enquiry form and you’ll typically hear from matched lenders or brokers within hours during business days to discuss eligibility and next steps.