Start a Restaurant

Financing a small business can be a difficult job if no one is willing to spend money on what you’re selling. But in order to stay afloat, business owners go for the option of applying for small business loans. A business loan can give you more leeway to buy new supplies, pay off debts, or expand your business.

However, more banks nowadays are enforcing stricter rules and guidelines for giving out business loans.  Policies on approval of small business loans are now less lenient and some banks have even demanded additional requirements.

A bad credit history is one important criterion for the approval of a business loan. Like every other bank or lending institution, risk factors have to be taken into consideration before they hand you their money. The credit card services you have availed and how you paid these services are very important information for these companies because it will be their basis on the approval (or disapproval) of your request, and the rate of interest they can give you. You need at least 700 points to securely get approved.

Fortunately, there is now an easier way to get a small business loan without the fear of your own credit card history. Getting a business cash advance is a faster and less stressful option for a business loan. A business cash advance is a lending service offered to business owners who accept credit cards as payment for their goods or services. This alternative form of business loan has a shorter processing time and has lesser requirements than a bank loan. This type of small business loan is quite perfect for those emergency situations where you need a large sum of money, fast. Approval of a business cash advance usually only takes 24 to 72 hours, depending on the company. Upon approval, the money is automatically transferred to your personal account. This fast-paced business loan is usually applied for online, which is very convenient.

The requirements are quite similar to those of most lending institutions, but your credit history would not be put under strict reviews. In fact, unlike business loans from the bank, bad credit history is not that big of a deal for cash advance providers. You only need to be of legal age, have a registered business in the US, have a small business that subscribes to credit card services for payment, and have been in business for at least a year.

The payment terms for a business cash advance are, of course, different from that of a business loan from the bank. But in general, the payment terms for this lending service will greatly depend on the amount of money you will be borrowing. The higher the amount, the longer time you’ll have to pay it off. But note that interests tend to be a bit higher for this type of business loan. For banks and other big lenders, payment terms for business loans can be paid off in longer terms, usually, over a year or more. Small business loans payment in banks usually does not exceed five years.

Payment for this type of business loan can be done in one single drop or monthly. It all depends on your capability to pay, and the amount of money you borrowed. The payment terms will usually require you to pay the cash advance company each month and you will get the payment structure with the amount that they expect you to pay every month. If you can afford to pay it off all at once, the better.

Get this special small business loan now.

Every business loan is a risk for both the lender and the borrower. A promising business gives you the best chances of having your business loan request granted.

Lenders will usually look at your gross annual sales and revenues, credit score, checking account balances, profitability, and length of time you’ve been in business. For newbies in the business world, expect to be asked intensively about your business plans.

Your history with credit card services is a main factor for lenders. Credit information they usually look for are personal credit card debt, personal loans, liquid assets, real estate holdings, tax returns, and personal financial statements. Your personal spending habits will also be an issue, including how you use credit card services and instalment debt. If you have a good track record of all of these, then you won’t have any problems with getting you business loan approved. But what if you have bad credit history? What alternatives do you have?

The answer is getting a business cash advance in place of a small business loan.

A business cash advance is the alterative option for business owners who need emergency funding. It is ideal for business owners subscribed to credit card services and/or charge cards. Monthly payment this type of business loan is done through batched credit card sales.

Approval for this type of small business loan takes a shorter amount of time and bad credit scores won’t be too much of an issue. The processing time for cash advance application is from 24 tp72 hours only. Some cash advance lenders can lend as much as $2500 to $300,000, depending on their evaluation.

Cash advance as a small business loan is very likely to get approved as long as you pass the basic requirements for the advance. First, you’re business should have been operational for at least a year. Your company should also at least have profits of $4000 in credit card processes per month.

The difference between a business cash advance and the usual small business loan are:

(1) A business cash advance does not require a detailed financial statement. Conventional business loans require 2-3 years worth of financial statements.

(2) Audited tax returns are not required for cash advances. Business loans from banks do.

(3) You only need to provide a guarantee against fraud or intervention.

(4) Application fees are not always required for this alternative business loan.

(5)No need for high credit scores. You only need to be subscribed to credit card services.

(6) Your collateral does not have to be all of your business assets.

(7) You can opt for a flexible monthly payment.

Cash advance as a business loan allows you to do almost anything for your business. You can pay taxes or debts, buy supplies, pay your employees, make repairs or remodelling, inventory, make new marketing and promotion materials, and expand your business establishment.

The idea behind cash advance repayment is not like the payment process for a small business loan. Repayment is made by automatically debiting an agreed percentage of your credit card sales every time you batch. There are no fixed payment schedules. You will only be able to pay when you’re customers pay.

Cash advance as a small business loan is very ideal for restaurant owners, retailers, medical clinics, and other new industries. Staying afloat for small business is harder, especially with the recession, and a cash advance is a quick solution for those emergency financial situations. After all, maintaining continuous cash flow for young establishments is difficult. With cash advance as an alternative business loan, you can get cash sooner and pay your loan easier.

Every business loan is a risk for both the lender and the borrower. A promising business gives you the best chances of having your business loan request granted. Lenders will usually look at your gross annual sales and revenues, credit score, checking account balances, profitability, and length of time you’ve been in business. For newbies in the business world, expect to be asked intensively about your business plans. Your history with credit card services is a main factor for lenders. Credit information they usually look for are personal credit card debt, personal loans, liquid assets, real estate holdings, tax returns, and personal financial statements. Your personal spending habits will also be an issue, including how you use credit card services and instalment debt. If you have a good track record of all of these, then you won’t have any problems with getting you business loan approved. But what if you have bad credit history? What alternatives do you have? The answer is getting a business cash advance in place of a small business loan. A business cash advance is the alterative option for business owners who need emergency funding. It is ideal for business owners subscribed to credit card services and/or charge cards. Monthly payment this type of business loan is done through batched credit card sales. Approval for this type of small business loan takes a shorter amount of time and bad credit scores won’t be too much of an issue. The processing time for cash advance application is from 24 tp72 hours only. Some cash advance lenders can lend as much as $2500 to $300,000, depending on their evaluation. Cash advance as a small business loan is very likely to get approved as long as you pass the basic requirements for the advance. First, you’re business should have been operational for at least a year. Your company should also at least have profits of $4000 in credit card processes per month. The difference between a business cash advance and the usual small business loan are: (1) A business cash advance does not require a detailed financial statement. Conventional business loans require 2-3 years worth of financial statements. (2) Audited tax returns are not required for cash advances. Business loans from banks do. (3) You only need to provide a guarantee against fraud or intervention. (4) Application fees are not always required for this alternative business loan. (5)No need for high credit scores. You only need to be subscribed to credit card services. (6) Your collateral does not have to be all of your business assets. (7) You can opt for a flexible monthly payment. Cash advance as a business loan allows you to do almost anything for your business. You can pay taxes or debts, buy supplies, pay your employees, make repairs or remodelling, inventory, make new marketing and promotion materials, and expand your business establishment. The idea behind cash advance repayment is not like the payment process for a small business loan. Repayment is made by automatically debiting an agreed percentage of your credit card sales every time you batch. There are no fixed payment schedules. You will only be able to pay when you’re customers pay. Cash advance as a small business loan is very ideal for restaurant owners, retailers, medical clinics, and other new industries. Staying afloat for small business is harder, especially with the recession, and a cash advance is a quick solution for those emergency financial situations. After all, maintaining continuous cash flow for young establishments is difficult. With cash advance as an alternative business loan, you can get cash sooner and pay your loan easier.

You may be aware of this, but there a number of firms that can actively assist you as you looking for business loan. These firms are commonly known as loan brokerages. They work in a very similar capacity to that of a mortgage brokerage firm but with a specific focus on business loans. However, before engaging a business loan brokerage you should be aware of a few things. Like with any industry, there are a number of unscrupulous firms and individuals that seek to take advantage of people that are not privy to how the industry works. In regards to loan brokerages, you should be wary of any firm that requires substantial upfront fees before assisting you with obtaining a business loan. However, some of the fees presented by a loan brokerage can be reasonable. For instance, fees for business plan development and credit reports should be reasonable while several thousand dollar retainers for simply taking on a project are not. When working with a business loan brokerage you should always perform your own due diligence. Does this firm have references? Are they are member of the Better Business Bureau? What is their success rate?

Once you find a firm that you want to work with when looking for business loan then it is time to begin negotiating the fees. Typically, most business loan brokerages charge a fee ranging from 2% to 10% of the successfully raised capital. Again, this is subject to negotiation. If you have a substantial amount of collateral, an excellent credit score, and a solid business plan then the fees should be lower as your chances of obtaining a business loan are much higher than people that do not have the same qualities.

One of the pros of working with a business loan brokerage is that you can quickly receive a number of loan offers from a number of banks and lenders within days of submitting your formal application. Additionally, the business loan brokerage can assist you immensely with developing the appropriate application and business plan so that your business loan request can be processed faster than if you did it on your own.

One of the primary negatives to working with a loan brokerage is that they can charge substantial fees for their services. However, these fees can be justified if the loan brokerage is legitimate and able to secure a business loan on your behalf.

Bad credit is one of the main reasons for bank loan denial. A credit score lower than 580 will most likely ruin your chances for a business loan. Multiple credit checks also lessens your chances for approval. And of course, a recent file for bankruptcy will ensure denial on your request.

Fortunately, there is no reason for despair if you belong to this group of people. There are now available alternatives for getting a small business loan, regardless of your bad credit. It is important, however, that you understand your circumstances before jumping into these alternative means for a business loan.

You can opt for an unsecured personal loan in such cases. But before you do, consider these factors first. One, how much do you need as a business loan? Factor in the numbers and come to a close estimate of how much you really need. Two, how much can pay each month. You have to note that personal business loans often have higher interest rates per month and if you’re not careful, you might become more in debt than you actually were, before the business loan. And three, will you be making minimum payments? Avoid making minimum payments because it actually costs more in the long run.

A business cash advance is also one way of securing the money you need. A small business loan through cash advance is  relatively an easy process to go through as compared to borrowing money from a bank. Most small business, even if they do have good credit, have often little asset and property. This is what makes business cash advances a good alternative for small entrepreneurs in need of immediate money. The only important thing your business should have is access to credit card services (i.e. you accept credit cards for transactions). You just need to have your business’ credit scores established. The best way to do this is to separate your personal credit from your business credit. It is recommended that you control most, if not all, of your business credit needs from only one of two credit card service providers so you have better chances at getting approved quickly. Lastly, your business will need to have gained $2,500 to $4,000 as minimum credit card sales per month.

Most cash advance providers base the amount of business loans by average monthly credit card sales, and of course, your actual need for capital. A business cash advance as a business loan is recommendable because the processing time for approval of your business loan can be as short as 3 days. Since newly opened small  businesses encounter a lot of time constraints with suppliers and clients, easy and immediate access to additional funding is always a plus. Furthermore, cash advance as a small business loan now comes easy with the help of the internet. You can apply for a business cash advance online and have it approved the next day. The business loan will be directly deposited into your account once it is approved.

Use your small business loan to purchase new equipment, marketing, pay debt or taxes, or pay the payroll. Banks and big lending companies are now not the only way of getting a small business loan for your immediate business needs. Fast, online cash advance is now the new means of making your business grow and compete in whatever market you are thriving on.

The global financial crisis has made it quite difficult for companies, especially small businesses, to get business loans. Ironically, it is also in this situation that smaller companies often need additional capital infusion to boost income. You may need to get small business loans to acquire a better business location, construct a new building, renovate your premises, pay for new equipment, fixtures or furniture or increase inventory and working capital.

Most Small Business Loans Require Collateral

To get business loans, even small business loans, is a major challenge.

First you need to identify which among the many types of small business loans you need. Small business loans ranging from $5,000.00 to $35,000.00 are called micro loans. For larger needs, such as for the acquisition of land, buildings and other major fixed assets, development financing is what you should find. There are also import export loans as well as franchise financing. Do your research to find out if you are qualified for small business loans guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration or SBA.

Any of these small business loans will require extensive preparations and paperwork. As a small business owner, you will need to prove your credit worthiness through a personal credit history report. Lenders will also require a business plan which includes your credentials as the business owner, your company financial statements, business assets and an analysis of your market. All of these should be packaged in a professional loan proposal which presents how the loaned amount will be used to strengthen the business and how you intend to repay the loan. Most of all, you need to present your loan collateral – the assets you will put up to secure the loan.  

Quick and Easy Small Business Loans with No Collateral

For smaller acquisitions or day to day business needs, there is a way for entrepreneurs to get small business loans easily and quickly with no collateral. This is through merchant services.

Merchant services provide credit card services to businesses. This enables them to accept and process payments through credit cards or debit cards either through face to face purchases, online transactions, or even by phone or fax. Merchant service providers supply terminal equipment for card swiping, as well as the necessary software and high speed IP solutions.

Most businesses need credit card services since consumers routinely pay for goods and services through credit cards and debit cards these days. If your business has not taken this step yet, you may have been missing out on more than half of your income potential.

These same merchant services also provide the solution for your small business loans. Collateral-free loans can be availed of through their cash advances, with the loan amount computation based on the monthly credit card revenue your business generates. Credit card sales requirements may be as low as $3,000.00 a month. You will not be asked for collateral since your future revenue is your collateral.  

The best types of merchant cash advances do not require fixed monthly payments nor do they impose deadlines on loan payment. A certain percentage is instead deducted automatically from your credit card revenue each month to go towards loan payment. This way, you never have to worry about loan amortization.

Once your cash advance has been fully paid, you may apply for another one. It is like having a revolving credit line. Make sure that you compare the terms of several merchant service providers, though, and read the fine print on contracts. There are so many merchant service providers competing for your business that you’ll surely find one that fits your needs.

To achieve financial independence, experts encourage even currently employed individuals to consider entrepreneurship. Setting up your own business, no matter how small, is touted as one of the best ways toward building the foundation for wealth. Those who are concerned about having a safety net need not take the plunge recklessly. One can start setting up a small business even while employed.  

Of crucial use to small businesses are credit card services and small business loans. The entrepreneur needs to know how to avail of these tools and how to effectively wield them for maximum business growth.

Credit Card Services

A small business would do well to get reputable credit card services in order to prosper in the current business climate. Availing of credit card services will enable it to accept both credit card and debit card payments. This is true either for brick-and-mortar businesses or internet based online businesses. After all, most consumers nowadays routinely use credit cards or debit cards for payment purposes. It only makes good business sense to be well-equipped for the needs of credit card users and debit card users as well as for the needs of customers who pay in cash.

Merchant services provide credit card services covering a wide range of solutions for the processing of credit cards and debit cards as payment options. These credit card services include traditional terminal equipment at point of sale, where credit cards or debit cards are swiped. It also includes software and high speed IP solutions for both traditional commerce and e-commerce. Credit card and debit card payments can, therefore, be accepted in person or through the internet, by phone or by fax.     

Small Business Loans

Any business â?? whether a small start-up business, a medium-scaled one or a big business company â?? will be needing an infusion of additional capital sooner or later. Additional capital is always needed for expansion, additional inventory, additional manpower, new systems, new equipment or a new physical layout.

Capital is not always easy to come by, though. The original investorsâ?? personal coffers may have been emptied by the earlier outlays. Prospective investors may not be keen on shelling out funds in times of crisis. Businesses, therefore, have no choice but to seek business loans.

Getting business loans is a difficult process. Even small business loans are not readily approved. Be prepared to present a lot of documentation and paperwork. For small business loans, the proprietorâ??s personal credit history is taken into account and related references need to be submitted. Of course, the companyâ??s financial statements are just as important in proving the feasibility of the business and its capacity to repay its business loans. Having a detailed business plan will show your business strategies and projections, demonstrating your business acumen.

Unfortunately, even with all the requirements completed, applications for business loans â?? including small business loans â?? are, more often than not, disapproved.

Solutions

Some merchant services provide a comprehensive solution for the needs of small businesses in relation to credit card services and small business loans. The set up is elegantly simple. A small business need only avail of the companyâ??s credit card services to be eligible for merchant cash advances. These cash advances are actually small business loans, except that there is no need to go through the complicated application process for business loans. Repayment is made very easy and worry-free, too. A certain small percentage is built into the credit card processing rates to take care of the advances. This way, repayment is actually done automatically in a very affordable manner and according to income flow.

Small business owners would, indeed, be wise to look into these timely business solutions.

This is one of the most frequently asked questions in starting a restaurant, and one that people often get wrong by seriously underestimating the actual answer.

That may not be a problem, if there is plenty of cash in reserve and sales pick up quickly, or it may be a devastating problem if there was very little reserve, the estimate was way off, or sales are much slower than expected in taking off.

Because many restaurant entrepreneurs have no real experience in these matters, it may seem like a difficult job to accurately estimate the cost to start a restaurant. It doesn’t have to be. Using good financial projection software, designed specifically for a restaurant can give you the exact cost answers you are looking for when presenting your plan to a bank or investors.

Here are the main cost considerations for startup costs when starting a new restaurant:

Lease

This includes not only the monthly payments, from the time of taking the keys, but also a deposit that may be required, which could run anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several months worth of payments.

Leasehold Improvement

Once you have the space, you may need to make changes to the interior, including adding or removing walls, rewiring, replumbing, adding finishes, lighting, shelving, fixtures, etc. to make the space into your actual business.

Beginning Inventory

This is includes all the food, beverages and liquor you will have on hand to be ready on your opening day. Depending on the terms you can get with yourvendors, you may be able to finance some or all of this cost. Being a new restaurant, however, getting good terms right from the start will be more difficult and depend on your good credit and business experience and to some extent your industry knowledge and contacts.

Printing

Virtually every restaurant requires some printing. This may be as little as business cards and menus, or it may be much more.

Restaurant Equipment

You will need to buy or lease the necessary equipment to operate it. Don’t forget the small things, like fax machines, phone systems, computers, desk chairs, filing cabinets, etc. which every restaurant needs, and although no one thing costs a lot, the collection will add up.

Utilities and Deposits

You will need to turn on the electricity, phone and any other services you need to operate. Some of these will require a deposit or hook up fee, or both, that will make the first payments double or more of the typical payment you can expect.

Permits/Licenses/Taxes

While not usually an excessive amount, you will need to budget some money to cover your business license, health permit and any other permits or taxes you will be required to pay. Some states require a deposit for your sales taxes. If you incorporate or form an LLC, there will likely be fees and taxes associated with the registration.

Professional Services

If you use a lawyer, accountant or other professional services in starting up, there will be expenses associated with these services. Most restaurants can avoid these, unless there is a complicated investor relationship or partnership agreement needed.

Your Staff

You may start your business alone or with only partners, but if you need more help then you will have the cost of employees. You will also have the added expense of payroll taxes, social security, etc. which adds an additional $.20 or more cents to every dollar of payroll cost. (more…)

Restaurants that serve just about any type of beverage can usually benefit from beverage costing, but restaurants that serve alcoholic beverages are the best candidates for beverage costing analysis for increased profitability.

Beverages are one of the easier ways to maximize profits for your restaurant due to the lower costs and far greater profit margins than with food.

How To Calculate Beverage Costs

Similar to calculating food costs, you need to designate a time frame where you will analyze the beverage costs for your restaurant. This can be one week, one month or several months. Typically, the longer time you allow for analysis, the better and more accurate the information you will gain from the report. Usually, non alcoholic beverages like soda, coffee, juice, water etc, are not included in your beverage costing calculations, instead these should be included in your food costing analysis.

After the reporting period, you’ll then need to total the beverage sales for each variety of beverage, such as beer, wine, mixed drinks, etc. You’ll then need to figure out your total beverage purchases from that same time period, which will be your cost of beverage sales. You’ll then need to determine your inventory adjustment. This means you compare the inventory at the end of your reporting period to the inventory at the very beginning of the reporting period. For instance, if the beginning inventory level for whiskey is $250, and at the end of the reporting period, the inventory level is valued at $170, then the inventory adjustment is the $80 difference. (more…)