We're a new restaurant, six months trading. Are we eligible?

Six months is right at the threshold. Most lenders want 6-12 months of trading data. With strong card volume you can borrow but expect a higher fixed cost than an established operator.

How much can a restaurant typically borrow?

Typically 100-150% of average monthly card takings. A restaurant averaging £50k/mo might access £50k to £75k initially, often more on renewal with a clean repayment history.

What about tronc and tips through the card machine?

Lenders look at gross card volume including tronc. When you pay tips out, that doesn't affect the repayment calculation because repayment runs on incoming card flow. Just be aware that your effective cash cost is higher than headline takings suggest.

Is MCA cheaper than restaurant group or pub co. loans?

If a pub co. or brewery will lend you what you need against a tied supply agreement, that's almost always cheaper than MCA. MCA wins when you're free of tie, need speed, or want flexibility on repayment. We'll be honest if another route costs less.

Can I use MCA for a second site launch?

MCA works for working capital in an existing site. For a second site opening with a long payback period, a term loan via Funding Flow usually fits better, we'll compare both.

MCA · Restaurants · UK

Cash advances for UK restaurants.

Funded against your card takings, covers, bar sales, and platform orders combined. Built for operators who know what a full Saturday service is worth against a dead Monday lunch.

Quick Apply→

What MCA means for a restaurant.

Your card volume is heavy and consistent, most covers pay by card, most delivery orders are card or platform, bar sales are card. What moves the restaurant business is the spike-and-trough rhythm, Friday and Saturday do the heavy lifting, Monday and Tuesday are thin, Christmas and Valentine's Day pay for February. A merchant cash advance fits that rhythm cleanly because repayment comes off card takings as they happen. Busy weekend, faster repayment. Quiet January, slower repayment. Whether it's a full refurb between services, a walk-in fridge replacement, summer terrace investment, or a marketing push for a new head chef, MCA releases the capital now and recovers it from the takings those investments help create.

Sound familiar?

Walk-in fridge has died, and you can't trade without one.

Commercial walk-in replacement is £8k to £20k fitted. Your insurance may cover some of it but the lead time and excess leave a gap.

How MCA helps

MCA same-week to get the kit in. Repayment from covers as trading resumes. Faster than insurance settlement.

You want to refit the front of house before a quiet season.

New lighting, furniture, banquettes, bar rework, £30k to £80k of spend for a site that's closed two weeks to do it.

How MCA helps

MCA timed to the quieter shoulder season. Reopen with a refreshed space. Repayment accelerates as the refit drives covers back up.

Head chef's leaving and you need to retain the team.

Retention bonuses, recruiter fees, a new chef's signing package, £15k to £40k of staffing investment you can't defer.

How MCA helps

MCA gives you the headroom to lock the team in now. Pay back through the next few months of trading once stability returns.

Here's what it actually costs.

An independent 60-cover restaurant borrows £25,000 to refit the bar and replace two fridges. Monthly card takings: £55,000. £25,000. Average monthly card takings £55,000. Fixed cost 1.25. 12% daily repayment % on card sales, total cost £6,250.

These figures are illustrative. If a term loan or asset finance fits your situation better, we'll tell you.

Open the fixed cost calculator →

£25,000

Advance

£31,250

Total repayable

£6,649

Avg monthly cost

4.7 months

Predicted term

FIXED COST · LIVE CALCULATOR

Work out the real cost.

Advance amount (£10k to £1m)

Fixed cost

Monthly card takings

Daily repayment %

New businesses typically start at a higher daily % and a shorter term.

Fixed cost tiers

Best

1.10

Typical

1.25

Higher

1.50

Illustrative only, not a quote.

MERCHANT BUSINESS LOANS
LIVE FIXED COST QUOTE
Fixed cost
£6,250
Total repayable
£31,250
Advance£25,000
vs card takings45%
Fixed cost1.25
Daily repayment£217
Avg monthly£6,600
Est. term4.7 months
Illustrative. The fixed cost is set on day one; daily repayment varies with takings. Term capped at 18 months.
Illustrative only, not a quote. Every figure here is subject to the funder. Funders advance anywhere from 100% up to 150% of monthly card takings, so 150% is not guaranteed, and the fixed cost is not guaranteed either. Your actual advance, fixed cost and terms depend on the funder and your business profile.
Up to 90% approvalfor qualifying businesses
Works with Dojo · Square · Zettle · SumUp · Stripe Terminal · PDQ · Yeti Pay · Teya · Barclaycard
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Operators we've helped.

Composite scenario, Independent restaurant · Manchester

£40,000 funded a full front-of-house refit between January and February, repaid by July.

Illustrative composite. 80-cover neighbourhood restaurant, £70k/mo card takings across covers, bar and platform. MCA at 1.24 factor, 11% daily repayment. Closed for 12 days mid-January to refit bar and dining room. Reopened for Valentine's weekend with refreshed space. Monthly covers up 18% through spring. Advance repaid in just over 5 months.

Illustrative composite scenario

Restaurants, quick answers.

Yes. Most MCA lenders treat platform takings as part of your trading volume. We match you to a lender comfortable with your platform mix and in-house card split.

Funding options for restaurants

Restaurants take a heavy share of revenue on card, lunch covers, dinner service, and the late tab. A merchant cash advance (MCA), also known as a PDQ cash advance or card machine loan, turns that card flow into working capital for kitchen kit, refit, or stock buy. Repaid as a percentage of daily card sales. Advances from £10,000 to £1,000,000. See PDQ cash advance →

Ready when you are

Ready to apply?

60 seconds to apply. 1 working day to a decision. No obligation, no credit footprint for the initial check.

Up to 90% approval for qualifying businesses

Quick Apply →

What MCA means for a restaurant.

Sound familiar?

Walk-in fridge has died, and you can't trade without one.

You want to refit the front of house before a quiet season.

Head chef's leaving and you need to retain the team.

Here's what it actually costs.

Work out the real cost.

Operators we've helped.

£40,000 funded a full front-of-house refit between January and February, repaid by July.

Restaurants, quick answers.

Funding options for restaurants

Ready to apply?

Works with your card machine and payment provider.