What this page helps you decide
Renovations create two costs: the project itself and the revenue lost during disruption. The right plan phases work, protects guest experience, and measures the sales or efficiency improvement expected from each upgrade.
Options to compare before applying
| Option | Best aligned with | Typical process | Watch closely |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment financing | Kitchen, bar, POS, and movable assets | Several days to weeks | Asset-specific |
| Term financing | Long-lived improvements | Longer review | Match term to improvement life |
| Working capital | Short closure, payroll, and opening inventory | Potentially fast | Use for temporary operating gap |
| Landlord contribution | Lease-value improvements | Negotiated | May come with lease conditions |
A four-step funding decision
Make the request easy to evaluate
Underwriting is clearer when the requested amount is tied to the specific operating event described on this page—not a rounded maximum. The file should connect contractor scope and schedule with equipment quotes, then show the date and source of expected repayment.
Present a base case and a downside case. The downside case should assume that the expected cash event arrives later than planned while the proposed payment still begins on schedule. If ordinary operations cannot support that case, reduce the request, change the product, negotiate the underlying expense, or wait.
A strong request answers four questions in plain language: What creates the need? Why is the amount correct? What business event repays it? What happens if that event is delayed?
Compare agreements on the same basis
Convert every offer into
- Net cash delivered after fees
- Total contractual payback
- Payment amount and frequency
- Estimated payoff date
- Prepayment treatment
Ask before signing
- What conditions remain before funding?
- Is the payment fixed or variable?
- What happens after a weak sales week?
- Are there liens or guarantees?
- Who services the obligation?
Documents that clarify the request
- Contractor scope and schedule
- Equipment quotes
- Historical sales by daypart
- Reopening marketing and staffing plan
Before signing anything
- Construction can take longer than quoted.
- Guests may not return instantly after reopening.
- Cosmetic projects need a measurable business case.
- Protect food-safety and operational controls during phased work.
Common questions
Should a restaurant close or renovate in phases?
Compare construction efficiency, guest disruption, safety, lost sales, and total duration. A shorter full closure can sometimes cost less than prolonged disruption.
What improvements are easiest to justify?
Projects tied to throughput, capacity, energy savings, required compliance, or a documented guest-experience problem.
What reserve is needed?
A downside reserve for schedule slippage, reopening inventory, payroll, and a slower return to normal sales.
Independent resources
U.S. Small Business Administration — Fund your business Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — Small-business lending resourcesProduct availability, qualification, cost, and timing vary. This page is educational and does not constitute a financing commitment.
See what the business may qualify for
Prime Restaurant Capital focuses on restaurant-specific working capital, equipment, and expansion funding. A complete application allows the request to be evaluated; it does not guarantee approval or a particular funding time.
Review funding options