How quickly can I get a Decision in Principle for a restaurant or cafe loan?

The short answer and what a Decision in Principle really means

Most UK restaurant and cafe businesses can receive a Decision in Principle (DIP) from a lender or broker within a few hours to 1 business day, and sometimes in minutes for certain products. The exact speed depends on the finance type, the strength and clarity of your trading data, and how quickly you provide basic documents. A DIP is indicative and not a binding offer; final approval requires full underwriting and verification.

A DIP gives you an initial view of potential eligibility, likely loan amounts, and indicative rates or terms. It helps you assess options, plan timelines, and proceed confidently to a full application if you wish. In hospitality, where EPOS data and card takings can be strong signals, DIPs are often faster than in sectors with irregular trading evidence.

At Best Business Loans, we don’t provide loans ourselves. We help you find suitable lenders or brokers and streamline your path to a DIP by matching your profile to providers that actively fund restaurants, cafes, and hospitality businesses.

What a DIP is—and isn’t

A DIP is a preliminary, non-binding indication based on the information you share and initial checks. It is subject to change after full underwriting, affordability assessment, and due diligence. Funding amounts and rates can vary once documents are reviewed in detail.

Typical same-day scenarios

Merchant cash advance providers and some unsecured lenders can generate a DIP on the same day if you supply card turnover reports and recent bank statements. Equipment finance can also be quick if you have a supplier quote and clear trading history. Fit-out and refurbishment finance may take slightly longer because of project specifics.

How Best Business Loans helps

Our AI-led process routes your enquiry to suitable providers for restaurants and cafes. That can reduce back-and-forth and help you get a DIP faster. There’s no obligation to proceed, and your enquiry is free to submit.

What affects how fast you can get a DIP

Speed is driven by data quality, document readiness, finance type, and underwriting complexity. If your bank statements and EPOS or card settlement reports are up to date, many providers can indicate a DIP within hours. If key documents are missing or accounts are outdated, expect delays.

Key factors lenders assess for hospitality

• Trading history and stability: 12+ months of trading is often preferred, though some providers can consider 6 months.
• Card takings and EPOS data: For cafes and restaurants, consistent card sales can speed up preliminary decisions.
• Bank statements and cash flow: Providers look for healthy inflows, manageable outflows, and no persistent overdraft stress.
• Credit profile: Company and director credit footprints influence DIP speed and terms.
• Existing borrowing: Lenders consider current commitments and headroom.
• HMRC status: Up-to-date VAT/PAYE can make underwriting smoother.

Documentation clarity is just as important as content. Files that are clearly named and readable can save hours in processing time.

Documents that usually accelerate a DIP

• Last 3–6 months of business bank statements (PDF downloads from your bank).
• Latest EPOS or merchant card reports showing monthly takings and trends.
• Latest filed accounts or recent management accounts.
• Photo ID and proof of address for directors.
• A supplier quote for equipment or a fit-out budget (where relevant).
• Existing finance summary and repayment schedules.

Some providers run a soft credit check at DIP stage. Others may require a hard search later, just before a formal offer. Always confirm the type of check before you consent.

Sector specifics that can slow things down

Complex lease terms, refurbishment plans that need landlord consent, or material seasonal cash flow swings may trigger more questions. None of these are deal-breakers, but they can extend DIP timelines by a day or two. Transparency usually brings faster clarity.

How our matching reduces friction

We match your profile to providers that understand hospitality dynamics such as seasonality, delivery growth, and booking patterns. That can lead to fewer document rounds and faster indicative decisions. You stay in control throughout.

Typical timelines by finance type for restaurants and cafes

Different finance products require different levels of underwriting. Here are realistic DIP speeds most hospitality businesses can expect. These are indicative timeframes based on market norms and can vary by provider and your circumstances.

Fastest categories for DIPs

Merchant cash advance (card takings)

Indicative DIP: Same day, often within hours once card statements are received. Full approval and funding can be 24–48 hours if documents line up. Suits cafes and quick service venues with high card volumes.

Short-term unsecured business loan

Indicative DIP: 2–24 hours depending on amount and credit profile. Funding can follow within 1–5 working days after underwriting. Useful for stock, staffing, or minor refurbishments.

Moderate-speed categories

Equipment finance and leasing

Indicative DIP: 24–72 hours, especially if supplier quotes are provided. Full approval: 2–7 working days, depending on asset type. Ideal for ovens, refrigeration, coffee machines, or extraction systems.

Vehicle finance (deliveries or catering vans)

Indicative DIP: 24–48 hours with standard underwriting. Full approval and payout: 2–5 working days. Additional checks apply for used assets and private sellers.

More detailed underwriting

Fit-out, refurbishment, and expansion finance

Indicative DIP: 24–72 hours, sometimes longer with multi-trade projects. Full process: 3–10 working days given budgets, schedules, and landlord permissions. Helpful when reconfiguring seating, kitchens, or customer areas.

Government-backed options (e.g., Growth Guarantee Scheme)

Indicative DIP: 2–5 working days due to policy checks and eligibility rules. Full approval can take longer, especially at peak periods. Suitable for businesses meeting scheme criteria and seeking structured terms.

How your trading profile changes the clock

Steady turnover and strong card settlements often compress DIP times to the faster end of these ranges. If there are gaps, seasonality spikes, or recent arrears, lenders may ask for extra context. Clear explanations and fresh management accounts can keep things moving.

Hospitality tip

If you use EPOS, export a product-level or day-level report showing gross sales, discounts, and refunds. This extra clarity can speed up a DIP by reducing underwriting queries.

Steps to get your restaurant or cafe DIP faster

The quickest route to an indicative decision is to submit a focused, complete enquiry with accurate data. That is where Best Business Loans can help you prepare and connect with suitable providers. Follow the steps below to compress timelines.

Step-by-step to a fast DIP

1. Complete a Quick Quote enquiry with clear loan purpose and amount.
2. Have PDFs ready: 3–6 months bank statements and card/EPOS reports.
3. Share your latest accounts or management figures, even if draft.
4. Provide a supplier quote or budget for equipment or fit-out requests.
5. Confirm any existing borrowing and repayment schedules.
6. Be available to answer follow-up questions promptly.

With these items on hand, many providers can produce an indicative outcome the same day. Missing items typically add 1–2 days.

Checklist: documents and data

• Business bank statements (last 3–6 months, complete and legible).
• Card acquirer statements or EPOS exports with monthly totals.
• Companies House filings or in-year management accounts.
• Director ID and address documents.
• Asset quote or refurbishment budget, if relevant.
• VAT returns or proof of HMRC time-to-pay arrangement, if applicable.

Consistency matters. Company names and addresses should match across documents to avoid manual checks and delays.

Credit checks, soft vs hard

Many providers use a soft search for the DIP so it won’t impact your personal credit score. A hard search may be required later for a formal offer. Ask the provider to confirm the type of search before consent.

Using our AI-led matching

Submit your Quick Quote once, and we guide it toward relevant hospitality funders. You save time versus applying blindly to multiple firms. You then choose whether to proceed with any matched option.

Learn more and compare options

For a broader view of funding across hospitality and food production, see our guide to food industry loans. It outlines common routes, use-cases, and what providers look for. This can help you decide which funding type to pursue first.

Next steps, compliance notes, and quick FAQs

Best Business Loans operates as an independent introducer. We do not provide loans or financial advice, and we are not the lender or broker. Any DIP or offer is given by a third-party finance provider, and all lending is subject to status, affordability, and underwriting.

All information on this page is designed to be clear, fair, and not misleading, in line with FCA and ASA principles. A DIP is not a guarantee of funding, rate, or terms, and timelines can change without notice. Fees, charges, and total cost of credit will always be set out by the chosen provider before you decide.

If you are unsure about the suitability of any finance product, consider seeking independent financial advice. Make sure you understand the obligations, potential risks, and impact on your business cash flow. Responsible borrowing protects your business and staff.

FAQs

How fast is “fast” for a restaurant or cafe DIP?

With complete documents, many hospitality DIPs arrive the same day. Where underwriting is more involved, expect 24–72 hours. Complex projects and scheme-backed options can take a little longer.

What affects my DIP speed the most?

Clean bank statements, clear card or EPOS data, and up-to-date accounts. Quick replies to follow-up questions also save time. Credit profile and existing borrowing influence both speed and terms.

Will a DIP affect my credit score?

Often no, because many providers use soft searches at the indicative stage. Some may run a hard search later before a formal offer. Always check what kind of search will be performed.

Can a start-up cafe get a DIP?

We primarily match established trading businesses rather than start-ups. Some lenders may consider new ventures with strong plans, but options are more limited. If you are pre-trading, consider building trading evidence before applying.

Key takeaways

• Many restaurants and cafes can get a DIP in hours, and often within 1 business day.
• Your document readiness is the biggest driver of speed and outcome.
• Unsecured loans and merchant cash advances tend to be quickest for indicative decisions.
• A DIP is not a binding offer; final approval follows full underwriting.
• Submit a Quick Quote to get matched with providers that fund hospitality efficiently.

Start your DIP journey

Complete a Quick Quote with your basic details and funding goal. Our AI-led system matches you to providers that are actively lending in hospitality. It is fast, secure, and free to submit, with no obligation to proceed.

About Best Business Loans

BestBusinessLoans.ai is an independent introducer helping UK SMEs find suitable finance providers. We use intelligent matching to connect you with lenders or brokers aligned to your needs. Updated October 2025.