Restaurant working capital is short-term funding that covers the everyday operational costs of running a restaurant — payroll, food and beverage inventory, rent, vendor payments, utilities, and the seasonal cash flow gaps that every operator deals with. Unlike equipment financing, which is tied to a specific purchase, working capital is flexible. You decide where it goes.
If your restaurant is generating at least $20,000 in monthly revenue and has been open at least 6 months, you qualify. Our working capital starts at $25,000 and goes up to $5,000,000 based on your monthly bank deposits. Most restaurants receive funding within 24 hours of approval.
How Restaurant Working Capital Actually Works
Working capital from Prime Restaurant Capital is a lump-sum advance you receive in your business bank account, which you repay over a fixed term — typically 6 to 18 months — through small daily or weekly automatic ACH withdrawals. There's no balloon payment, no surprise fees, and the total cost is disclosed upfront before you sign.
Because we underwrite based on cash flow rather than credit score alone, we can approve restaurants that traditional banks would reject. We look at your monthly deposits, the consistency of those deposits, and how long you've been operating. Your personal credit matters less than your restaurant's revenue history.
How Much Working Capital Can Your Restaurant Qualify For
Funding scales directly with your monthly revenue. Here's what restaurants typically qualify for based on monthly bank deposits:
- $20,000 - $25,000 monthly revenue — qualifies for $25,000 to $50,000
- $25,000 - $50,000 monthly revenue — qualifies for $50,000 to $125,000
- $50,000 - $100,000 monthly revenue — qualifies for $125,000 to $250,000
- $100,000 - $250,000 monthly revenue — qualifies for $250,000 to $500,000
- $250,000+ monthly revenue — qualifies for $500,000 to $1,000,000+
Working Capital vs Other Restaurant Funding Options
Working Capital vs Business Line of Credit
A working capital advance gives you the full amount upfront. A line of credit lets you draw funds as needed up to a limit. Working capital is better when you have a specific use and timeline. A line of credit is better when your cash flow is unpredictable and you want flexible access.
Working Capital vs Equipment Financing
Equipment financing is tied to a specific purchase (oven, walk-in cooler, POS system) and the equipment itself serves as collateral. Working capital is unsecured and unrestricted — use it for anything operational. If you're buying equipment, equipment financing usually offers lower rates and longer terms.
Working Capital vs Revenue-Based Financing
Revenue-based financing flexes with your daily sales — payments are smaller on slow days. Traditional working capital uses fixed daily/weekly payments. Revenue-based financing is better for restaurants with highly seasonal revenue. Fixed-payment working capital is better for predictable cash flow.
Application Process: From Submission to Funded in 4 Hours
- Apply online — Tell us about your restaurant, upload 3 months of bank statements. Soft credit pull only, no impact to your credit score.
- Same-day decision — Our underwriters review your application within hours and respond with your offer including amount, terms, and total cost.
- Sign and fund — Review and sign your funding agreement electronically. ACH transfer is initiated within hours. Funds typically hit your account within 24 hours.
- Repayment — Small automatic daily or weekly ACH withdrawals begin a few days after funding.
