SBA & Alternatives · 2026

SBA Loans for Restaurants & Faster Alternatives

SBA loans offer restaurants low rates and long terms — but take weeks. Here's how they work, and how to get funded fast when you can't wait.

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Low rateIf you qualify

3-8 wkSBA timeline

24 hrFast alt.

500+Alt. FICO

See how much your restaurant qualifies for

$25K to $5M on any POS — approved on your revenue, funded in as little as 24 hours. Higher limits than processor-tied lenders.

✓ 500+ credit
✓ 6+ months open
✓ $10K+/mo revenue

1-Minute Application

Apply Now — Get Funded in 24 Hours

Start your application in about a minute. A real decision fast — soft credit pull, no obligation.

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🔒 Soft credit pull · will not affect your credit score

Can a restaurant get an SBA loan?

Yes — SBA loans give restaurants low rates and long terms, but they take weeks to months and require strong credit (typically 650+) and heavy documentation. When you can't wait, Toast Funding funds a fast alternative in 24 hours on your revenue (FICO 500+) — and can bridge you while an SBA loan closes.

SBA vs the fast alternative

Decide on speed

SBA for the lowest cost if you can wait weeks; fast funding if you can't.

Apply in 5 minutes

For fast funding: a soft credit pull that doesn't affect your score.

Get your offer

Fast funding decisions come in hours, on your deposits.

Get funded

Fast funding lands within 24 hours; bridge an SBA loan if needed.

SBA loan vs fast funding

How the two compare for restaurants.

Feature	SBA Loan	Toast Funding Fast Funding
Speed	3 – 8 weeks	24 hours
Credit	650+	FICO 500+
Documents	Extensive	3 months statements
Rate	Lowest	Higher
Best for	Lowest cost, if you wait	Speed & flexibility

Payment Calculator

Estimate your monthly payment. Adjust the amount and term below.

Amount $100,000 Term 48 months

$2,458Est. monthly payment

$118,000Est. total of payments

48 moTerm

Estimates only, for illustration, using a sample rate. Real rates and terms are set at underwriting.

What you need (fast alternative)

US-based restaurant or food business
6+ months in business
~$20,000+ in monthly revenue
Last 3 months of business bank statements
Valid EIN and business bank account
FICO 500+ (approval on revenue)

How to choose

An SBA loan is the lowest-cost option if you have strong credit and can wait weeks for the paperwork. A fast alternative from Toast Funding funds $5,000 to $5,000,000 in 24 hours on your revenue (FICO 500+).

Many owners take fast funding now for a time-sensitive need and pursue an SBA loan for the larger, long-term project — or bridge with fast funding until the SBA facility closes.

Use the calculator above to estimate a payment.

Restaurant businesses we fund

Quick-Service & Fast-Casual

Fund labor and food cost through demand swings and new-location openings.

Cafes & Coffee Shops

Cover equipment, seasonal dips, and inventory for a growing daypart.

Food Trucks & Ghost Kitchens

Capital for a second truck, commissary costs, or a delivery push.

Bars & Grills

Stock the bar, staff busy seasons, and smooth uneven weekly sales.

When to use SBA vs fast funding

You can wait weeks — SBA wins on cost for a planned, low-cost need.
You need cash now — Fast funding beats a slow SBA process.
You were declined for SBA — Fast funding approves on revenue, not just credit.
SBA is still closing — Bridge the gap with fast funding until it finalizes.
A time-sensitive opportunity — Move now, pursue SBA later for the big project.

Frequently asked questions

Are SBA loans hard to get?

They require strong credit and heavy documentation and take weeks; many businesses are declined or can't wait.

Can I bridge until my SBA loan closes?

Yes — fast funding keeps the business moving until the SBA facility finalizes.

Can I qualify for fast funding with bad credit?

Yes — FICO 500+ can qualify, because the alternative is approved on revenue.

Will checking my options affect my credit score?

No. Prequalifying uses a soft credit pull that does not affect your score. A hard pull only happens if you accept an offer.

What can I use the funds for?

Any legitimate business purpose — payroll, inventory, materials, equipment, marketing, covering a slow period, or growth. There are no restrictions on how you use the capital.

Are there any upfront or application fees?

No. Applying and getting a decision is free. Any fees are disclosed in your offer before you accept, so there are never surprises.

Sources & further reading

Figures and calculator estimates are typical 2026 industry examples for general information and vary by underwriting; your actual terms are set at application. Funding is subject to approval. Product and company names referenced are the property of their respective owners.

Why restaurants choose Toast Funding

Independent and POS-agnostic — a faster, higher-limit alternative to processor-tied offers. We are not Toast, Inc.

🍽️

Any POS, no lock-in

Toast, Square, Clover, Aloha, TouchBistro — keep or switch processors without losing your funding.

⚡

Funded in 24 hours

Decision in as little as 4 hours, money wired in 24–48. Same-day for clean files.

📊

Higher limits, approved on revenue

Up to $5M vs a processor cap. 500+ FICO accepted, underwritten on your deposits and sales.

Ready to get funded?

Approved on your deposits, not just your score. Funded in as little as 24 hours.

✓ 500+ credit
✓ 6+ months open
✓ $10K+/mo revenue

START MY 1-MINUTE APPLICATION →