Can I get finance to expand delivery, click-and-collect or a dark kitchen site?

The short answer — yes, established UK businesses can finance delivery, click-and-collect, and dark kitchens

Yes — many established UK businesses can access commercial finance to expand delivery operations, launch click-and-collect, or open a dark kitchen, subject to eligibility and provider approval. Funding can cover vehicles, kitchen equipment, fit-out, cold storage, POS and order tech, packaging lines, and early-stage operating costs. Best Business Loans does not lend directly, but we help you connect with suitable lenders and brokers who are active in your sector.

Dark kitchens and hybrid fulfilment models are now mainstream across hospitality, retail and food production. Lenders understand the economics of delivery-only sites, multi-brand kitchens, and click-and-collect hubs, especially where there is tangible equipment or vehicles. If your proposal shows strong unit economics, clear demand and a realistic payback plan, there are options worth exploring.

What expansion costs can finance cover?

• Equipment and assets: ovens, hobs, grills, fryers, refrigeration, blast chillers, extraction and fire suppression.
• Fit-out and compliance: partitioning, hygienic surfaces, M&E works, drainage, EHO compliance, signage and security.
• Vehicles and fleet: vans, scooters and e-bikes, plus telematics and insurance bundling where available.
• Technology stack: POS, KDS screens, printers, order aggregation software, tablets and couriers’ integrations.
• Click-and-collect: racking, heated lockers, shelving, counters, canopy and customer wayfinding.
• Working capital: initial staff costs, packaging, ingredients, marketing and listing fees while volumes ramp.

Your expansion plan does not have to be one-size-fits-all. Funding can be blended across asset finance, fit-out finance and working capital to align with depreciation and cash flow.

Funding options for delivery, click-and-collect and dark kitchens

Equipment and asset finance

Asset finance helps you acquire essential kitchen and cold-chain equipment without tying up cash. Hire Purchase lets you own the kit at term end, while Finance Lease spreads cost with potential tax efficiency, subject to your accountant’s advice.

This can suit ovens, refrigeration, extraction, KDS, POS hardware and packaging machinery. Providers focus on the asset lifespan and resale value, which can aid approvals.

Fit-out finance

Fit-out finance can cover non-movable works at a dark kitchen or click-and-collect unit. Typical items include extraction installation, electrics, flooring and wall cladding.

Because much of the spend is embedded in the property, providers may assess overall business strength and personal guarantees. Clear quotes and a project schedule help.

Vehicles and fleet finance

Commercial vehicle finance can fund vans, refrigerated vehicles, mopeds, scooters and e-bikes. Lenders may weigh mileage, intended use, brand new versus used, and insurance arrangements.

Matching term length to expected duty cycle helps manage total cost of ownership and reduces replacement risk.

Cashflow and commercial loans

Unsecured working capital loans can help with staffing, upfront platform fees, packaging, and marketing while orders scale. Terms are usually shorter, and affordability is key.

Some providers tailor loans to hospitality and multi-site operators, especially if you can evidence steady order volumes and healthy contribution margins.

Invoice finance and receivables solutions

If a portion of your revenue comes from B2B contracts, wholesale supply, or catering invoices, invoice finance can release cash tied up in receivables. This can smooth payroll and purchasing during a rollout.

Selective invoice finance is possible for larger contracts, subject to the debtor’s credit quality and your invoicing controls.

Refinance and consolidation

If you already own equipment or vehicles, asset refinance may unlock equity to fund new sites. Consolidating multiple short-term facilities can also lower monthly outgoings.

This should be assessed carefully to avoid extending liabilities unnecessarily or increasing total interest costs.

Growth Guarantee Scheme support

Eligible businesses may access government-backed loan support via participating lenders under schemes such as the Growth Guarantee Scheme. Scheme availability, criteria and terms change, and approvals are at the lender’s discretion.

We can introduce you to providers participating in relevant schemes if you meet baseline eligibility and trading history expectations.

Eligibility, documents and how to improve approval odds

What lenders typically look for

• Trading history and stability: established track record, evidence of demand and responsible cash management.
• Robust plan: clear location strategy, order volume forecasts, contribution margins and break-even timeline.
• Operational readiness: food hygiene rating plan, EHO approvals, planning or licensing where required.
• Unit economics: realistic average order value, cost of goods, delivery fees, platform commissions and labour model.
• Security and guarantees: personal guarantees and debentures may be requested, depending on facility type.

Providers will often stress-test scenarios such as slower-than-expected ramp-up or higher marketing spend. Present conservative assumptions and demonstrate contingency headroom.

Documents to prepare

• Last 6–12 months of business bank statements and latest management accounts.
• Up to two years’ filed accounts and VAT returns where applicable.
• Aged debtor/creditor listings if using invoice finance.
• Quotes for equipment, fit-out and vehicles, including delivery timelines.
• Site details, lease heads of terms and relevant planning or licensing confirmations.
• Order data or platform reports (e.g., Deliveroo/Uber Eats/Just Eat) where available.

Having documentation ready speeds underwriting and signals professionalism. It also helps you compare offers on like-for-like bases.

How much could you borrow?

Facility size depends on turnover, profitability trajectory, sector risk, asset values and affordability. Asset-backed facilities may allow higher ticket sizes relative to unsecured loans.

Providers will align terms to asset life and cash flow. The right structure matters as much as the headline rate when running multiple sites.

Costs, terms, risks and planning your ROI

Typical terms and costs

Costs vary by facility type, credit profile and asset mix. Expect different pricing structures for asset finance versus unsecured working capital.

Look for the total cost of finance, repayment schedule, early settlement provisions and any arrangement or documentation fees. Ask about variable versus fixed rates on longer terms.

Risks to consider

• Demand variability: seasonality, local competition and platform algorithm changes can affect volumes.
• Cost inflation: ingredients, packaging and utilities can compress margins if not managed.
• Operational risk: staffing, food safety, extraction performance and delivery logistics must be tightly controlled.
• Debt burden: over-leverage can pressure cash flow during a slow ramp. Maintain adequate working capital buffers.

Stress-test worst-case order volumes and increased input costs. Align repayments to your most conservative revenue case.

Planning your payback

Build a site-by-site P&L with realistic weekly order counts, basket sizes and marketing cost per order. Include all fixed and variable costs, and model repayment profiles for separate facilities.

Map your expansion in phases with clear KPIs for opening the next unit. This helps ensure each site contributes positively before committing to further rollouts.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Funding long-life assets with ultra-short loans that strain cash flow.
• Underestimating installation, extraction or EHO compliance timescales.
• Forgetting platform onboarding lead times or aggregator hardware needs.
• Assuming marketplace promotions will be permanently subsidised.

A strong pre-opening checklist and realistic timeline will keep costs predictable and lenders comfortable.

How Best Business Loans can help, FAQs and next steps

How our matching works

1. Submit a Quick Quote. Share your business details, funding purpose and required amount.
2. Our system analyses your profile and map it to suitable facility types and active providers.
3. We introduce you to lenders or brokers aligned to your sector, asset mix and timeline.
4. You review offers, compare terms and proceed only if the fit is right for your business.

It’s free to submit your enquiry, and there’s no obligation to proceed. We’re transparent that we don’t always find the lowest rate, but we focus on relevance and reliability for your needs.

If you operate in the food, hospitality or production supply chain, see our guidance on food industry loans for sector-specific pointers. You can use this to refine your plan before you apply.

FAQs: Delivery, click-and-collect and dark kitchen finance

Can I fund a delivery-only site on a short lease?
Possibly, yes — many dark kitchens operate on licences or short leases. Lenders will focus on kit values, fit-out scope and your trading history to mitigate property risk.

Do I need a personal guarantee?
Personal guarantees are common for unsecured and fit-out facilities. Asset-backed finance may still request a guarantee depending on the business profile and loan size.

How fast can funding land?
Some asset and working capital facilities can complete quickly once documents are in place. Complex fit-outs or multi-asset packages may take longer due to site surveys and supplier coordination.

Can I finance second-hand equipment?
Yes, selected providers fund quality used equipment with verifiable provenance. Expect more scrutiny of age, condition and resale values.

What if my revenue is split across delivery platforms?
That’s common, and lenders often view it positively if it diversifies risk. Be ready to share platform performance reports and margin detail by channel.

Get your Quick Quote

If you are an established UK business planning delivery expansion, click-and-collect or a dark kitchen, we can help you find a suitable route. Submit a Quick Quote to explore options for equipment, fit-out, vehicles or working capital. You stay in control of whether to proceed with any provider introductions.

Important information and compliance

Best Business Loans is an independent introducer. We do not provide loans or financial advice, and nothing on this page should be taken as regulated advice.

Eligibility, rates, and terms are set by the respective providers and are subject to status, affordability, and standard underwriting. Security and personal guarantees may be required.

Borrowing involves risk. Missed or late payments can affect your credit rating and may lead to legal action. Consider professional advice before committing, and always read the full terms and conditions.

Submitting an enquiry is free. If you proceed, you may pay fees to a lender or broker, and we may receive a commission from the provider for successful introductions.

We typically support established limited companies and LLPs, not start-ups or sole traders. We don’t arrange property finance, franchises or commercial mortgages.

Key takeaways

• Yes — delivery, click-and-collect and dark kitchen expansion can often be financed, subject to eligibility.
• Match the facility to the asset: use asset finance for equipment and vehicles, and working capital for ramp-up costs.
• Prepare a robust plan with conservative forecasts and clear documentation to improve approval odds.
• Compare total cost and repayment structure — not just headline rates — to protect cash flow.
• Use a tailored introducer to reach providers who actively lend to your sector and asset mix.

About the author

Written by: Commercial Finance Editorial Team, Best Business Loans. Our content team collaborates with experienced finance professionals to produce practical, people-first guidance for established UK businesses.

Updated: October 2025