How fast can I get hospitality funding?

For Merchant Cash Advance, we often provide decisions within 2–4 hours and have funds in your account the same day or next working day. The speed comes from the automated card sales analysis — once the lender can verify your last 6 months of card takings, the underwriting is largely automated. Larger unsecured or property-backed facilities typically take 1–4 weeks depending on the security required and any premises valuation.

Do I need to pay anything upfront?

No — our service is 100% free to apply, with no hidden fees and no obligation to proceed. You only pay if you accept a funding offer, and even then the costs are baked into the facility itself rather than charged upfront. As an FCA-authorised broker, we're required to be fully transparent about all fees and the commission we receive from the lender, and we'll always disclose this before you sign anything.

Can I get funding if I have a seasonal dip?

Yes — this is exactly why Merchant Cash Advance has become the dominant product in hospitality. Repayments are taken as a small percentage of your daily card sales, so they automatically scale down during quieter months and scale back up during peak season. For traditional fixed-repayment loans, lenders specialising in hospitality build the seasonal pattern into the affordability assessment, so a January-February dip won't disqualify you.

Will the lender want to see EPOS or card processor data?

Yes — for Merchant Cash Advance specifically, lenders will need access to your card processor (Stripe, SumUp, Zettle, Worldpay, Square, Dojo, etc.) to verify the last 6–12 months of trading. This is usually done via a quick API connection rather than manual statement uploads. For traditional unsecured loans, a standard bank statement review is sufficient — we can use Open Banking to pull this in minutes rather than waiting for paper statements.

Can I fund a kitchen refurb, beer garden, or function room build-out?

Absolutely — capital investment in the venue is one of the most common funding requests we handle. For kitchen equipment specifically (combi ovens, cold rooms, fryers, glass washers), Asset Finance over 5–7 years is usually the cleanest fit because the kit acts as security and keeps the deposit low. For broader refurbishment work — new flooring, beer garden landscaping, a function room conversion — an unsecured term loan over 3–7 years gives you the flexibility to spend across multiple suppliers without committing each invoice to a separate finance line.

Hospitality Industry Specialists

Hospitality Business Loans | Fast Decisions, No Upfront Fees | £5k–£500k+

Running a hospitality business means managing a thousand moving parts while the clock is always ticking. From seasonal lulls to unexpected equipment failure, we know that timing is everything. We provide the financial "prep work" so you can focus on the service that keeps your customers coming back.

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How Hospitality Businesses Use Our Funding

From seasonal prep to full venue refurbishments — flexible capital designed for hospitality operators.

Seasonal Cash Flow

Bridge the gaps between peak trading periods or stock up for a busy season. Keep your business running smoothly all year round.

Equipment & Refurbishment

Upgrade your kitchen, refresh your dining area, or invest in new POS tech without draining your reserves.

Growth & Expansion

Fund a second location, hire more staff, or launch a new marketing campaign to take your business to the next level.

Expert Insights for Hospitality Finance

Practical tips to help you get the most from your funding.

Sync Repayments with Sales

For restaurants and bars, a merchant cash advance is often better than a fixed loan. Repayments are a small percentage of your card sales, so if it's a quiet Tuesday, you pay back less. It's funding that flexes with your business.

Finance the Asset, Keep the Cash

Don't sink all your working capital into expensive ovens or refrigeration. Use Asset Finance to spread the cost, keeping your cash reserves free for emergency repairs and day-to-day operations.

Secure a "Pre-Peak" Buffer

Don't wait for December or Summer to hit before looking for a working capital loan. Secure funding 8–10 weeks early to bulk-buy stock and lock in seasonal staff at the best rates.

Not sure what it will cost?

Use our free calculator to estimate monthly repayments on hospitality business funding.

Explore Related Funding Options

Discover other products that could work for your hospitality business.

Merchant Cash Advance

Looking for more flexible terms? Repay as a percentage of your daily card sales.

Learn More

Asset Finance

Need kit rather than cash? Spread the cost of equipment and protect your cash flow.

Learn More

Retail & Construction

Not in hospitality? Explore our specialist pages for Retail or Construction businesses.

View All Industries

Sector Insights

Hospitality Finance: A Closer Look

Why funding pubs, restaurants, hotels, and cafés is fundamentally different — and why Merchant Cash Advance has become the default tool.

The Seasonal Cash Flow Reality

UK hospitality is brutally seasonal. A coastal restaurant or a Lake District hotel might do 70% of its annual turnover between May and September, while costs — rent, business rates, head chef salaries, gas, electricity, equipment maintenance — run at full pace 12 months a year. Even city-centre pubs see a Christmas spike followed by a January-February desert. Add in unpredictable shocks (a heatwave, a rail strike, an energy bill renewal), and the working capital requirement to run a hospitality business comfortably is far higher than the headline turnover suggests. Specialist hospitality lenders understand this rhythm and structure facilities accordingly.

Why Merchant Cash Advance Dominates Hospitality

Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) has become the default funding tool for hospitality because the repayment structure naturally flexes with trading. Instead of a fixed monthly direct debit that hits you whether you've taken £500 or £5,000 that day, an MCA takes a small percentage of your daily card sales (typically 8–18%). On a busy Saturday in August you pay back faster; on a quiet Tuesday in February the lender takes much less. This automatic adjustment removes the cash flow stress of fixed loan repayments during seasonal dips, which is why it's particularly popular with seasonal businesses, festival traders, and venues with weather-dependent footfall.

Choosing the Right Funding Structure

There is no single "hospitality loan" — the right product depends on what you're solving. For working capital and seasonal stretch, Merchant Cash Advance over 6–18 months is usually the cleanest fit because of its flexibility. For kitchen refurbishment, new equipment, or beer cellar refits, Asset Finance over 5–7 years keeps cash free for trading. For pub or restaurant acquisitions, a longer-term loan secured against the freehold (where applicable) over 10–25 years is the standard route. For one-off bridging — covering a quiet January or a delayed energy rebate — a short-term unsecured loan over 6–12 months works well. We'll look at all four angles before recommending a route.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for our alternative business finance solutions, your business needs to meet these basic criteria

Quick Eligibility Check

UK Registered Company

Your business must be either a limited company, LLP, sole trader or partnership in the UK

Monthly Turnover £10k+

Minimum monthly turnover of £10,000 to qualify for funding

6+ Months Trading

At least 6 months of established trading history required

UK Resident Director

At least one director or shareholder must be a UK resident

Meet the criteria?

If your business meets these requirements, you could be eligible for funding despite bank declines

No obligation to proceed after checking eligibility

The UK's Trusted Broker for Hospitality Finance

Hundreds of UK businesses have relied on us when they needed funding fast.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about hospitality business funding.

Ready to Fund Your Hospitality Business?

From merchant cash advances to kitchen refurbishments — get a funding decision in minutes. FCA-authorised, no hidden fees, and tailored to hospitality.

UK Business Finance Broker | £5k to £500k+ Business Loans