Which food and drink sectors do you support (dark kitchens, QSR, catering, pubs, bakeries)?

We support established UK food and drink businesses across dark kitchens, QSR and takeaways, contract and event catering, pubs and bars, and bakeries and patisseries. We also assist related operators such as cafes, food producers, street food vendors, breweries, distilleries, wholesalers, and multi-site groups. We don’t lend money ourselves; we match your business with suitable lenders or brokers who understand your sector and funding needs.

Food and drink businesses we support and how we help

Best Business Loans connects operational, established food and drink businesses with finance providers active in your niche. Whether you run a delivery-led ghost kitchen, a busy high street takeaway, a mobile catering unit, or an artisan bakery, our AI-driven platform helps you explore options quickly. You can check potential eligibility and get connected to providers who may be able to help.

Do you support dark kitchens and virtual brands?

Yes — we support dark kitchens (also known as ghost kitchens or cloud kitchens) and operators running multiple virtual brands from a single site. Typical requirements include equipment finance for combi ovens, extraction, refrigeration, prep tables, and smallwares. Working capital can support menu launches, marketplace integrations, and marketing for new virtual brands.

Many delivery-only operators face uneven order volumes and platform fee timings. Cashflow loans or revolving facilities can help smooth volatility across Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat cycles. Fit-out finance can cover kitchen build-outs, ventilation, fire suppression, and cold room upgrades as you scale capacity.

Common dark kitchen funding uses

Kitchen equipment, extraction, and ventilation
EPOS, KDS screens, and delivery platform integrations
Fit-out, reconfiguration, and food safety upgrades
Working capital for stock, packaging, and new brand rollouts

Do you support QSR and takeaways?

Yes — we support QSR operators, fast-casual brands, fish and chip shops, pizza, burger, chicken, noodle, and kebab outlets. QSR and takeaway funding often focuses on speed, reliability, and multi-site rollouts. Finance options can include equipment finance for fryers, grills, ovens, hot-holding, and walk-in fridges.

Cashflow loans can help with seasonal peaks, delivery promotion costs, and staffing during busy periods. Fit-out finance can support refurbishments, signage, counter reconfiguration, and accessibility improvements to boost throughput and compliance.

Typical QSR investment needs

Kitchen line upgrades and extraction systems
EPOS, handhelds, and drive-thru tech
Refurbishment, signage, and shopfront improvements
Vehicle and scooter fleet finance for delivery

Catering, pubs, bars, and taprooms we support

We support contract and event caterers serving venues, festivals, and corporate sites. Finance often covers mobile catering vehicles, refrigerated vans, coffee machines, hot-holding units, and portable servery equipment. Invoice finance may be relevant for caterers with longer payment terms from venues or corporate clients.

Seasonality is common in catering, so short-term working capital can bridge payment gaps between events and supplier bills. Fit-out finance may apply when upgrading prep kitchens, cold storage, and HACCP-compliant workflows to meet larger contracts.

Do you support pubs, bars, and taprooms?

Yes — we support freehouses, leased or tenanted pubs, cocktail bars, wine bars, and taprooms. Funding needs often include cellar cooling, beer dispense systems, keg and line maintenance, furniture, and acoustic treatments. Fit-out finance can help with refurbishments, toilet upgrades, garden areas, and kitchen improvements to expand food offerings.

For wet-led venues, cashflow support can help manage duty, seasonal trade fluctuations, and large stock purchases. Where food is a growing revenue stream, equipment finance can cover combi ovens, grills, dishwashers, and extraction to enhance capacity and compliance.

Pub and bar funding examples

Cellar cooling, dispense, and back-bar refrigeration
Kitchen upgrades to expand food sales
Garden furniture, awnings, and heaters
EPOS and table-service technology

Do you support contract caterers and mobile operators?

Yes — contract caterers, street food traders, and mobile coffee or food trucks are within scope if established and trading. Asset finance can fund vehicles, trailers, coffee machines, grinders, and specialist cooking equipment. Working capital can help with event deposits, pitch fees, and menu development.

Some lenders prefer stable contracts or recurring bookings for predictability. Our platform helps identify providers comfortable with event-led and mobile trading models. For B2B caterers, invoice finance may unlock cash tied up in longer payment terms.

Mobile and event catering finance options

Vehicle and trailer finance
Coffee machines and beverage equipment
Portable refrigeration and hot-holding
Invoice finance for corporate contracts

Bakeries, patisseries, and wider food and drink ecosystem

We support artisan bakeries, patisseries, wholesale bakeries, and central production units supplying multiple sites. Equipment finance can fund deck ovens, rotary ovens, provers, retarder provers, spiral mixers, sheeters, and blast chillers. Fit-out finance may support flour silos, hygiene stations, racking, and energy-efficient lighting.

For wholesale bakeries supplying retailers and hospitality, invoice finance can improve cash conversion where payment terms are 30–60 days. Working capital may cover bulk ingredient purchases, packaging, and certifications such as SALSA or BRCGS.

Do you support coffee, breweries, distilleries, and food producers?

Yes — we work with coffee roasters, microbreweries, distilleries, and food manufacturers. Equipment finance covers roasters, canning and bottling lines, fermenters, stills, labelling machines, and quality control equipment. Sustainability loans can support energy upgrades such as heat recovery, insulation, and efficient refrigeration.

For producers selling into retail or export, invoice finance can ease working capital constraints. Vehicle and fleet finance can support deliveries and route optimisation for wholesale distribution. Refinance may be possible to restructure existing arrangements and improve cashflow.

Relevant funding types we can help you explore

Asset and equipment finance
Fit-out and refurbishment finance
Cashflow and working capital loans
Invoice finance for B2B terms
Vehicle and fleet finance
Sustainability and energy-efficiency funding
Refinance and consolidation

For a broader overview, see our dedicated food industry guide: Food industry finance options and sectors we support.

Which businesses are not currently supported?

We do not currently support start-ups, sole traders, franchises, or property finance and commercial mortgages. Our service is best suited to established UK limited companies and LLPs with trading history. If you’re unsure, you can still submit an enquiry and we’ll confirm whether we can help.

How our AI matching works for food and drink businesses

We make it simple to explore your funding direction without contacting dozens of providers yourself. You share a few details about your business, purpose of funding, and the amount required. Our AI analyses your profile and introduces you to suitable lenders or brokers who are active in your segment.

Quick steps to get started

Complete a Quick Quote form in minutes with basic business details.
Our AI matches your profile to funding options that fit your sector and purpose.
We connect you with relevant providers for next steps and indicative terms.
You compare, ask questions, and decide what works for your cashflow.

It’s fast, secure, and free to submit an enquiry. There’s no obligation to proceed, and you stay in control throughout the process. You can request an indicative Decision in Principle or an eligibility check from the provider.

Eligibility snapshot (varies by provider)

UK limited company or LLP with trading history
Turnover, profitability, and affordability considered
Sector experience and management track record valued
Equipment collateral and asset values may support approvals

Documents lenders may ask for

Last 3–12 months’ bank statements
Latest year-end accounts and recent management figures
VAT returns or filed financials for context
Asset schedule or quotes for equipment
Key contracts or order book for caterers and producers

We don’t guarantee approvals or the lowest rate, and offers depend on the provider’s assessment. Costs, fees, security, and terms vary by product and lender. You should review all terms and ensure the finance is affordable for your business.

Fair, clear, and not misleading

Best Business Loans acts as an independent introducer and does not provide loans or financial advice. Any funding illustrations are for guidance only, and actual terms will be set by the provider. We aim to ensure communications are fair, clear, and not misleading so you can make an informed decision.

Important information

Eligibility, rates, and fees depend on your circumstances and lender criteria.
Missing payments may affect your business’s credit rating and cashflow.
Security or guarantees may be required for certain facilities.
You should seek professional advice where appropriate.

Why food and drink operators use finance

To modernise kitchens with efficient equipment and reduce downtime. To expand capacity, refurbish sites, and roll out new concepts or brands. To stabilise cashflow during seasonal fluctuations or long invoice payment terms.

To adopt greener technologies that cut energy costs and support ESG commitments. To invest in automation, packaging, and quality control as volumes grow. To finance vehicles and logistics that improve service levels and reliability.

Call to action

Ready to explore finance options for your food or drink business? Submit your Quick Quote for a fast eligibility view and introductions to relevant providers. It’s simple, secure, and there’s no obligation to proceed.

Key takeaways

We support dark kitchens, QSR, caterers, pubs, bars, taprooms, and bakeries.
We also assist cafes, producers, breweries, distilleries, and wholesalers.
We don’t lend; we introduce you to suitable lenders and brokers.
Funding types include equipment, fit-out, cashflow, invoice, fleet, and sustainability.
Submit a Quick Quote to check potential eligibility and get matched.

FAQs: Food and drink sectors we support

Do you work with single-site operators as well as multi-site groups?

Yes — we support both single-site businesses and multi-site operators. Provider appetite may increase with scale and stability, but smaller established businesses can still be considered. The best route depends on trading history, asset base, and purpose of funding.

Can you help if my revenue is highly seasonal?

Yes — many providers serving hospitality understand seasonality and event-led cashflows. Shorter-term or revolving facilities can be structured around peaks and troughs. Lenders will still assess affordability and resilience to shocks.

What if I have existing finance agreements?

Some providers will consider refinance or consolidation to improve cashflow. They may assess current terms, settlement figures, and asset values. The goal is to seek sustainable repayments aligned with your trading profile.

Can I finance second-hand equipment?

In many cases, yes — lenders often fund reputable used assets with verifiable value. You may be asked for serial numbers, age, and condition details. Terms vary by asset type and lender appetite.

How quickly can funding be arranged?

Timelines vary by product and documentation readiness. Simple working capital facilities can sometimes be quicker than complex fit-outs. Equipment finance often progresses faster when quotes and asset details are available.