Food Industry Business Loans UK
Flexible funding for UK food and beverage companies
From rising ingredient and energy costs to seasonal cash flow and equipment upgrades, the food and beverage sector moves fast — and so should your finance.
UK Business Loans connects restaurants, cafes, takeaways, catering firms, food manufacturers, wholesalers and packaging businesses with trusted UK lenders and brokers. We’re not a lender and we don’t provide financial advice. We’re an introducer that helps you get quick quotes from specialist partners who understand the food industry.
- Free, no‑obligation eligibility check
- Funding options from £10,000 to £5,000,000+
- Sector‑specialist lenders and brokers
- Responses typically within hours
How our service works
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Complete a quick enquiry
Tell us about your company, time trading, turnover and what you want the funds for. It typically takes under two minutes.
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Instant matching to relevant partners
We connect you with selected UK brokers and lenders who specialise in food industry finance and your type of requirement.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
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Fast response with options
Expect a call or email, often the same day, to discuss indicative terms and next steps.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
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Compare and choose
Review offers. Ask questions. Proceed only if you’re happy. There’s no obligation to accept any offer.
Who we help in the food industry
- Restaurants, bars, pubs and cafes
- Takeaways, dark kitchens and franchises
- Caterers and contract catering companies
- Food manufacturers and processors
- Bakeries, butchers and delicatessens
- Wholesalers, distributors and cold chain
- Packaging, printing and labelling firms
- Food importers, exporters and logistics
- Farm shops and speciality producers
- Breweries, distilleries and soft drink brands
Funding you can access through our partners
We connect you to a broad range of UK business finance options. The right solution depends on your trading history, turnover, assets, card sales and what you need the funds for.
Unsecured business loans (working capital)
- Typical use: stock purchases, supplier payments, payroll, marketing, seasonal trading.
- Amounts: £10k–£500k+ subject to status.
- Terms: 3–60 months.
- Security: usually personal guarantee; no fixed asset security required.
Asset and equipment finance (including refinance)
- Typical use: ovens, grills, refrigeration, espresso machines, dishwashers, delivery vehicles, packaging lines, bottling and canning equipment, cold rooms.
- Types: hire purchase, finance lease, operating lease, asset refinance.
- Benefits: preserves cash flow; spread VAT and equipment cost over the life of the asset.
Fit‑out and refurbishment finance
- Typical use: new sites, rebrands, kitchen refits, front‑of‑house refurbishments, point‑of‑sale upgrades.
- Often structured as unsecured loans, asset finance or specialist fit‑out packages.
Invoice finance (factoring and discounting)
- Typical use: manufacturers, wholesalers and caterers supplying supermarkets, venues or corporates on 30–90 day terms.
- Benefits: release up to 90% of invoice value within 24–48 hours to stabilise cash flow.
Merchant cash advance (card takings finance)
- Typical use: restaurants and cafes with consistent card sales.
- How it works: receive a lump sum now and repay via a small, agreed percentage of daily card takings.
- Benefits: repayments flex with revenue; no fixed monthly instalments.
VAT, tax and HMRC funding
- Typical use: smooth quarterly VAT bills or corporation tax.
- Terms: short‑term, staged repayment to protect cash flow.
Vehicle and fleet finance
- Typical use: delivery vans, refrigerated vehicles, mopeds for last‑mile delivery.
- Options: lease or HP; maintenance packages may be available.
Commercial mortgages and property finance
- Typical use: purchase freehold premises, refinance existing debt, fund development works.
New site launch finance
- For strong business plans and experienced operators. Often a blend of personal investment, asset finance and unsecured working capital.
Sustainability and energy efficiency funding
- Typical use: energy‑efficient refrigeration, heat recovery, kitchen ventilation, solar PV and battery, LED, insulation.
- Benefits: reduce energy usage, cut emissions and operating costs.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Common uses of food industry finance
- Buy ingredients and packaging in bulk to secure better margins
- Bridge late payments from trade or corporate customers
- Launch new menu items, delivery channels or marketing campaigns
- Upgrade fridges, freezers and walk‑in cold storage to cut energy bills
- Replace critical equipment quickly when it fails
- Expand to a second site or refurbish to increase covers
- Fund seasonal peaks (Christmas, summer, Ramadan, events)
- Achieve accreditation and audit readiness (e.g., BRCGS, SALSA)
- Invest in automation and quality control to boost throughput
- Smooth cash flow around VAT, PAYE and corporation tax
Eligibility: what lenders typically look for
Criteria vary by product and lender, but partners commonly assess:
- Time trading and operator experience
- Turnover and profitability trends
- Average monthly card takings (for merchant cash advance)
- Bank statements (3–6 months) and management accounts
- Existing finance commitments and affordability
- Credit profile of directors and the business
- Asset details (for asset finance or refinance)
- Debtor book quality (for invoice finance)
Documents to have ready
- 3–6 months business bank statements
- Latest management accounts and/or filed accounts
- Equipment or vehicle quotes/asset lists (if applicable)
- Card processing statements (for merchant cash advance)
- Aged debtor/creditor reports (for invoice finance)
- ID and proof of address for directors
- Business plan or forecast (useful for new sites)
Costs, rates and terms: what to expect
- Unsecured loans: often from c. 8%–30% APR equivalent depending on credit, time trading and security. 3–60 month terms common.
- Asset finance: typically from c. 6%+ flat/annualised equivalent for stronger cases; terms often 12–72 months aligned to asset life.
- Invoice finance: service fee plus discount rate (often from c. base + 2%–5%, risk dependent).
- Merchant cash advance: single fixed fee agreed upfront; repayments via % of card takings until settled (no APR; factor‑cost based).
- VAT/tax loans: short‑term; pricing varies by risk and term.
Important: Rates, fees and terms depend on your circumstances, the product type and the lender’s assessment. Any quote you receive will set out costs clearly before you proceed. There’s no obligation to accept an offer.
Illustrative examples (for information only)
Independent restaurant, 3 years trading
Need: £60,000 to refurbish front‑of‑house and add outside seating.
Possible route: Blend of unsecured working capital and asset finance for new furniture and EPOS. Decision in days; staged drawdown aligned to contractor schedule.
Food manufacturer supplying retailers
Need: Ongoing cash flow to cover 45‑day payment terms.
Possible route: Confidential invoice discounting up to 85–90% of eligible invoices; reduces need for overdraft and supports growth.
Artisan bakery adding production capacity
Need: £120,000 for ovens, mixers and walk‑in proofers.
Possible route: Asset finance over 48–60 months; preserves working capital and matches repayments to revenue.
Why choose UK Business Loans
- Specialist matching for the food industry: We connect you with brokers and lenders who actively finance restaurants, caterers and food producers.
- Speed and simplicity: One short form. Relevant partners contact you, often within hours.
- Free, no‑obligation service: You pay nothing to enquire. Proceed only if an offer suits you.
- Reputable UK network: We introduce to established lenders and brokers with strong track records of supporting UK companies.
- Secure and confidential: Your details are shared only with selected partners relevant to your enquiry.
- Nationwide coverage: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Our process for food businesses
- Discovery: 2‑minute form about your business and funding need.
- Match: We connect you to suitable specialists (for example, asset finance for kitchens or invoice finance for trade supply).
- Discuss options: Partners explore your eligibility and outline potential terms.
- Decision and funding: Provide documents, get approved, and receive funds — sometimes in as little as 24–72 hours for straightforward cases.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Fair, clear and not misleading: how we communicate
- We are an introducer, not a lender, and we do not provide financial advice.
- Your enquiry will not affect your credit score. If you choose to proceed, partners may conduct credit and affordability checks.
- There is no obligation to accept any offer. Costs and terms will be disclosed clearly by the lender/broker before you proceed.
- Enquiries are free. We may receive a commission from partners if you go ahead with a facility.
- We aim to ensure all information is accurate, fair and clear, and to follow applicable UK advertising standards and Google’s financial services policies.
Food industry FAQs
1) Is UK Business Loans a lender?
No. We connect you with trusted UK lenders and brokers who arrange funding directly.
2) How much can I borrow?
Our partners offer from £10,000 up to £5 million+ depending on product, security and your business profile.
3) Will my enquiry affect my credit score?
No. Enquiring with us won’t affect your credit score. If you proceed with a lender, they may run credit checks.
4) How quickly can I get funds?
Some facilities can complete in 24–72 hours once documents are received. Larger or secured facilities may take longer.
5) Can I get finance with limited trading history?
Options may exist for newly launched sites or newly incorporated companies led by experienced operators. Strong plans and forecasts help.
6) What if my credit history isn’t perfect?
There are lenders who consider imperfect credit. Pricing and terms depend on risk and affordability.
7) Do you cover equipment like refrigeration and ovens?
Yes. Asset finance can fund specialist kitchen equipment, refrigeration, cold rooms, packaging lines and more.
8) What can invoice finance do for factories and wholesalers?
It can release up to 90% of the invoice value quickly, improving cash flow while you wait for customers to pay.
9) How does a merchant cash advance work for restaurants?
You receive a lump sum now and repay via a small, agreed percentage of your daily card takings until the advance and fee are cleared.
10) What does it cost to use your service?
Using UK Business Loans is free for company owners and directors. If you proceed, your agreement with the lender/broker will set out any fees or commissions. We may receive a commission from our partners.
Related pages and helpful links
Image alt text suggestions
- Chef plating dishes in refurbished restaurant – funded by business loan
- Walk‑in cold room financed via asset finance
- Packaging line in food factory – equipment finance UK
Editorial note
Content last reviewed: 28 October 2025 by the UK Business Loans editorial team. We work with experienced UK brokers and lenders. This page is for general information only and is not financial advice.
Compliance and transparency statements
- UK Business Loans acts solely as an introducer to UK lenders and brokers. We are not a lender and do not provide financial advice.
- All financial promotions should be fair, clear and not misleading. We aim to present accurate, up‑to‑date information and will correct errors promptly.
- Enquiries are free and carry no obligation. If you proceed with a lender/broker, they will provide full terms, costs and any applicable fees before you sign.
- Your data is shared only with relevant partners for the purpose of your enquiry and handled securely.
- This page is intended to align with applicable UK advertising standards and Google’s Financial Services policies.
– What is UK Business Loans — are you a lender or a broker?
Answer: UK Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender, connecting UK businesses to trusted, FCA-regulated brokers and lenders.
– How do I apply online for a UK business loan through you?
Answer: Complete our two-minute enquiry form and we’ll instantly match you with relevant lenders or brokers who contact you with options.
– How quickly can I get a response and funding?
Answer: You’ll typically hear from partners within hours, with funding speed depending on the lender and type of finance.
– What types of business finance can I compare?
Answer: You can compare unsecured and secured business loans, cashflow loans, invoice finance, asset and equipment finance, vehicle and fit-out finance, refinance options, sustainability/green loans and expansion finance.
– How much can I borrow for my business?
Answer: Our partners consider amounts from £5,000 up to £5 million or more, subject to your circumstances.
– Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
Answer: No—your enquiry won’t impact your credit score; credit checks only occur if you choose to proceed with a lender.
– Can start-ups and businesses with bad credit apply?
Answer: Yes—many of our UK lending partners support start-ups and businesses with imperfect credit histories.
– Are your lenders and brokers FCA-regulated and trustworthy?
Answer: Yes—we only work with reputable UK finance partners operating under FCA guidelines, and we share your details securely.
– Do you charge any fees or require me to proceed with an offer?
Answer: Our service is free for business owners and there’s no obligation to accept any offer you receive.
– Do you cover my industry and location, and what information do I need to start?
Answer: We support most UK sectors nationwide and you only need basic business and contact details plus the amount and type of finance you’re seeking to begin.