★★★★★
"We financed the kitchen package instead of emptying the opening budget. That left far more room for stock, staffing and launch spend."
Alicia R.
Independent Restaurant, London
Hospitality Equipment Finance
Restaurant equipment finance for kitchens, refrigeration and extraction.
Fund launches, refits and replacement cycles while keeping cash free for staff, stock, deposits and day-to-day trading. We help restaurants, takeaways and hospitality operators compare the right route for the equipment package and timing.
Quick answer
Restaurant equipment finance helps UK hospitality businesses spread the cost of kitchen and catering equipment over time. It can cover ovens, refrigeration, extraction, prep kit, dishwashers, EPOS and wider supplier packages, usually over 12 to 60 months depending on the equipment, lender and business profile.
Kitchen packages and refrigeration funded
Launch, refit and replacement projects
No need to tie up working capital
Who's Restaurant Equipment Finance Good For
Built for operators investing in service, capacity and fit-out timing
Restaurant equipment finance works best where the equipment package is clear, the supplier quote is ready and the business wants to preserve cash for opening costs, stock, staffing and trading headroom.
Independent Restaurants
Hospitality Groups
Takeaways
Dark Kitchens
Food Hall Operators
Hotel Restaurants
Not sure if your business qualifies? Check in two minutes — no credit search at this stage.
Check Eligibility →30s
Decision Time
100+
Lender Panel
£10m
Maximum Facility
32
Years Experience
What Is Restaurant Equipment Finance
Fund the kitchen, keep cash free for the rest of the launch
Restaurant equipment finance lets a hospitality business spread the cost of ovens, prep equipment, refrigeration, extraction and front-of-house hardware over time rather than paying outright in one hit.
That matters because restaurant purchases rarely happen in isolation. A new opening or refurb also needs cash for stock, staffing, rent deposits, fit-out costs and launch marketing. Finance helps protect that working capital while still getting the site operational. If you are still sense-checking the numbers, our commercial kitchen cost UK guide breaks down typical equipment and fit-out ranges before you choose a funding route.
The right structure depends on whether the requirement is part of a first launch, a kitchen replacement, a wider refit or a multi-site rollout. Some operators want ownership of the equipment at the end, while others care more about preserving working capital and keeping flexibility.
How It Works
Four steps, from quote to supplier paid
01
Quote
Share the supplier quote, equipment list and a brief overview of the business and timing.
02
Review
We review the supplier, business profile and equipment package so the case goes to the right lenders first.
03
Approval
Straightforward cases can often receive a same-day decision once the quote and business detail are clear.
04
Payout
Once approved and signed, supplier payout is commonly completed within 24 to 48 hours.
Finance Products
Which structure usually fits hospitality equipment best?
Hire Purchase
Often suits established operators that want eventual ownership of ovens, refrigeration, extraction and front-of-house equipment because the assets will stay in the business for years.
Best for: long-term ownership
Finance Lease
Often works well where the priority is preserving cash for stock, staffing, rent deposits and launch marketing while still getting the kitchen operational quickly.
Best for: preserving working capital
Not sure which structure suits your situation? Talk it through with a specialist — no obligation.
Speak to a Specialist →Who we are
Independent brokers. Working for you, not the lender.
Finding Capital is an independent finance broker. That means we are not tied to any single lender, not incentivised to push one product over another and not working toward anyone's targets but yours.
When you enquire, we search the full market — 100+ lenders — and match your case to the one most likely to approve it at the best available terms. One enquiry. Whole-of-market access. A real answer from a real specialist.
100+Lenders on panel
32 yrsCombined experience
£10mMaximum facility
What makes us different
Not tied to one lender
No bank queue
One named advisor
Same day response
Commission disclosed upfront
ICO registered ZC110930
"We are transparent about how we earn. We tell you our commission before you commit to anything. That is how we think a broker should work."
— Finding CapitalWho we are
Independent brokers. Working for you.
Finding Capital is an independent finance broker — not tied to any lender, not pushing any single product. We search 100+ lenders and find the right fit for your business. One enquiry, whole-of-market access.
We are transparent about commission. We tell you upfront. That is how we think a broker should work.
Whole market access
Same day response
One named advisor
No obligation
100+Lenders
32 yrsExperience
£10mMax facility
What Can Be Financed
What restaurant equipment can be financed?
Most tangible commercial catering kit can be reviewed where it sits on a clear supplier quote. Tap each item for a quick example of the type of equipment lenders usually understand.
Rational iCombi 6-Grid Oven
Combination ovens, convection ovens and branded commercial cooking equipment can often sit cleanly inside a hire purchase or finance lease facility.
Refrigeration & Cold Rooms
Upright fridges, prep counters, blast chillers, display refrigeration and cold room packages are common restaurant equipment finance assets.
Extraction & Ventilation
Canopies, extraction systems and related kitchen ventilation may be included where they form part of the supplier-led equipment package.
Dishwashers & Warewashers
Commercial dishwashers, glasswashers and warewashing systems are usually straightforward tangible assets for hospitality lenders to assess.
Prep Tables & Stainless Steel
Prep benches, sinks, tabling, racking and stainless steel kitchen infrastructure can often be packaged with the wider kitchen quote.
Pizza, Grill & Frying Equipment
Pizza ovens, fryers, grills, griddles and specialist cooking lines can be financed where the asset is commercial grade and supplier backed.
EPOS & Service Hardware
EPOS terminals, kitchen screens, printers and service hardware can sometimes be included, especially as part of a broader opening or refit package.
Used Catering Equipment
Used catering equipment can be considered, but lenders usually prefer dealer-supplied kit with a clear invoice, condition detail and warranty position.
If the requirement goes beyond equipment into labour-heavy fit-out, we may compare restaurant equipment finance with business loans or wider asset finance so the structure fits the whole project.
Finance Options
Restaurant equipment finance comparison
Two common structures, different outcomes on ownership and cash flow. Choose the one that fits the project.
| Hire PurchaseUsually chosen where the business wants ownership of the equipment at the end of the term. | Finance LeaseOften used where preserving cash flow matters more than immediate ownership and the equipment will support revenue over time. | |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership at end | Yes | Optional ownership |
| Monthly cost | Fixed | Fixed |
| Cash preservation | Good | Strong |
| Best for | Keeping the asset long term | Keeping the asset long term with options to upgrade |
| Typical fit | Established operators | Launches and refits |
Structure, deposit and term depend on the supplier package, asset type, trading profile and overall affordability.
Eligibility
What usually helps a restaurant equipment case get approved?
UK registered business
Sole traders, partnerships and limited companies can all be considered where the purchase is for commercial hospitality use.
Clear supplier quote
A clean supplier breakdown helps us show exactly what is being financed and whether the package includes kitchen, refrigeration, extraction or front-of-house equipment.
Commercial equipment only
Lenders usually want the spend to sit mainly in tangible business equipment rather than labour-only fit-out works.
Trading strength or relevant experience
Established businesses are usually the strongest fit, but newer openings can still be considered where the operators have solid hospitality experience and a clear plan.
Defined amount and timing
Knowing the budget, any deposit position and the supplier timeline helps us match the right lender and avoid wasted time.
Need help working out the best route?
Hospitality purchases are rarely just about the equipment itself. We can help you compare ownership, monthly cost and working capital impact before you commit.
Kitchen and refrigeration packages reviewed
Launch, refit and replacement cases considered
100+ lender panel comparison
Independent broker, always transparent
Response within 1 hour
What our clients say
See what hospitality businesses say about equipment finance
Join businesses already funded through Finding Capital. Check your eligibility in 60 seconds.
Get Started →Common Questions
Restaurant equipment finance explained
Can I finance a full restaurant kitchen package?
Often yes. Commercial kitchen equipment packages can often be structured within one facility, subject to supplier and lender criteria.
Can front-of-house items be included too?
Sometimes yes, especially where they form part of a wider supplier-led hospitality equipment package.
Is this suitable for takeaways and dark kitchens?
Yes. The same broad routes can often be relevant for restaurants, takeaways, food-to-go businesses and dark kitchen concepts.
Can I finance restaurant equipment for a new opening?
Potentially yes. New openings are considered, although the lender will usually look closely at experience, project planning and overall affordability.
Can extraction and refrigeration be included?
Often they can, especially when they form part of the wider kitchen package on the supplier quote.
Is there a minimum order value for restaurant equipment finance?
Minimum size varies by lender, but commercial kitchen packages are often still worth reviewing even where the spend is at the lower end.
Can I refurbish one site while keeping cash free for trading?
Yes, that is one of the main reasons hospitality businesses use finance rather than paying outright for all equipment at once.
Can multi-site restaurant groups use the same route?
Often yes. Multi-site operators may be able to fund equipment across more than one venue where the requirement is clearly structured.
Still have questions?
A specialist can answer any question about structure, lenders or eligibility before you commit to anything.
Related insights
Useful reading before you choose a route
Can a new hospitality business get equipment finance?
A practical read if you are launching or opening a first site and want to understand how lenders will look at the case.
Barista equipment finance beyond the machine
Useful if the requirement includes drinks service equipment alongside kitchen and front-of-house items.
How asset finance works for UK businesses
A broader guide to how these deals are structured, what lenders look for and how the route compares with paying outright.
More Restaurant Finance Questions
Used equipment and full fit-outs
Can I finance used catering equipment?
Yes, used catering equipment can be considered where the supplier, condition and value are clear. Lenders usually prefer used kit bought from a recognised dealer rather than a private sale. A dealer invoice, warranty detail and sensible age of equipment all help the case.
Can I finance a full kitchen fit-out?
Often yes, where the package is mainly tangible commercial equipment such as ovens, refrigeration, extraction, prep equipment and warewashing. If the project includes a lot of labour, building work or soft costs, we may split the requirement between equipment finance and a broader business funding route. The cleanest starting point is a supplier breakdown showing what is equipment and what is fit-out work.
Helpful next step
Already have a supplier quote?
Send us the equipment breakdown and we can help decide whether restaurant equipment finance, commercial kitchen finance or wider business funding is the cleaner route.
Check EligibilityRelated Finance Options
Compare the most relevant next routes
If the package includes drinks equipment or you want to compare broader hospitality funding routes, these are usually the next pages worth reviewing.
Need finance for a restaurant launch or refit?
Tell us the equipment package, supplier and timing and we will help you compare the right route.