Start a Restaurant

This article is primarily directed toward people who own, or are considering getting into the restaurant business. I myself used to own a restaurant several years ago. It is tough work I know, but it can be very lucrative if you work hard, make wise decisions and with a little luck.

So often, we get so caught up in the day to day struggle that we forget to step back and take a look at the big picture. Think for a moment of what you could do if you had an extra 10, 20 or 50 thousand dollars to invest into your business. What would you do with the money? I don’t know about you, but I can think of many things that I would use the money for;

• Remodel the dining room
• Remodel the kitchen
• Expand the seating area
• Purchase new equipment
• Spend money on advertising
• Buy out a business partner
• Open a new location

These are just a few ideas. I am sure that you can come up with a few of your own ideas.

I tried to get a loan but I got turned down because of bad credit

You are not alone. Believe me; this economy has wreaked havoc on many business owners credit. To make matters worse; the banks are barely loaning money to anyone, regardless of their credit history. If you credit has taken a few hit over the past few months; you can pretty much kiss the idea of getting a business loan goodbye.

Thankfully there is something called a business cash advance

A business cash advance (also called a merchant cash advance or credit card advance) is a business loan alternative that has been proven to be extremely beneficial to restaurant owners. The cash advance is based upon your sales history instead of your credit history. If your restaurant is sustainable and you do a consistent business; then chances are you will qualify for a business cash advance.

Thousands of restaurant owners all over the country have used this type of funding, and 70% of them come back for another. If you invest your money wisely, you will have it paid off with a minimal amount of strain on your business. Once it is paid off, you will reap the benefits of your investment for years to come.

I invite you to learn more about how a BUSINESS CASH ADVANCE can help your business. While you are there you can use the advance calculator to see how much your restaurant qualifies for, or sign up for a free quote.

Author: Christopher Ronk
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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On October 31, haunted houses will occupy every corner, jack-o-lanterns will smile devilishly and monsters, witches, goblins and ghosts will lurk in the darkness of the night. Nevertheless, none of these things will bother you, because you’re dealing with something more frightening than all of the terrors of Halloween. You own a restaurant and you don’t have access to the funds you need to grow and expand your business.

You don’t want your loyal customers to know of the financial difficulties that plague your business, so you wear a mask, like the children who will soon be eagerly walking from house to house, anticipating what types of candies will fall into their bags next. However, unlike these children, you don’t take your mask off at the end of the night. It stays on until you’re finally able to secure the business cash you need, or, your business outgrows itself and begins to fall apart right before your eyes – and at the rate you’ve been going, you’re thinking it might be the latter.

But there is another option, a business financing method that can save your restaurant from the doom you once thought was inevitable – the restaurant loan.

A restaurant loan is a merchant cash advance for restaurant owners. It allows restaurant owners to use their daily credit card sales as a means of securing up to $500,000 in business funds. Providers will review your business’s current monthly credit card sales and based on those numbers, they can advance you cash against your business’s future credit card sales.

You can use these funds to expand your restaurant in order to keep up with a growing clientele and to reach out to additional customers. In fact, there are no restrictions on how restaurant loans can be used, so you can use the cash however you choose.

Restaurant loan applications can be approved in 48 hours and funded in as little as five business days after approval. Get a free online quote today, so by the time Halloween comes around, the only mask you’ll be wearing will be a part of your costume.

Author: Gaston Castro
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Smiling shark

Starting a restaurant obviously entails lots of work, research and most importantly, dedication. It may be necessary to put a lot of time and effort into a new restaurant, but if done correctly, the results will be well worth it.

You are well aware of these facts, and you are determined to create and run the restaurant that you have dreamed of since you were a child: The one that on the outside, resembles a French cottage, and on the inside boasts of authentic French décor and a menu of tasty French comfort foods, creating an exotic yet homey atmosphere for your patrons.

Still, another vital component of starting a restaurant is of course, money. So where are you going to go to find the money that you need to build this restaurant of your dreams? Why not get a restaurant loan?

What is a Restaurant Loan?

A restaurant loan is an unsecured loan that can be used for startup restaurants as well as restaurants that are already in existence. The restaurant loan is given as an advance against the restaurant’s future credit card sales. This means, new restaurant owners can get the cash they need to finance startup costs now, and pay later, without having to make scheduled payments every month. Instead of the traditional fixed monthly payments, restaurant loans are repaid little by little as customers make credit card purchases.

You don’t need any collateral to secure the loan. Your restaurant’s future credit card sales are collateral enough for restaurant loan providers. Your payments go with the flow of your business and therefore a borrower does not feel such a sting when it’s time for loan repayment.

Finding startup cash can be a difficult process. The availability of restaurant loans can make this process much easier, not to mention faster and often more convenient.

Author: Gaston Castro
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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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.

Many borrowers are surprised to learn that they may actually have more options on restaurant loan options for free standing, non franchise properties than franchise restaurants. With conventional financing and SBA loans it’s almost a no brainer to go the franchise route. However, many CMBS lenders will not consider restaurant mortgages if the business is tied to a franchise agreement.

First of all CMBS lenders (commercial mortgage backed securities) are a nontraditional source of capital that due to their “back office” structure have produced some of the most creative and aggressive restaurant loan options in the industry. For example 85% financing and 30 year fixed rates on restaurants, with rates right in line with bank financing. They’re able to do this because the individual loans are pooled together and sold to investors in the form of bonds, which essentially reduces the investors risk due to the diversification of loan structure, building type, and geography.

CMBS lenders do not like the franchise agreement between the franchisee and franchisor. In essence, these agreements are very cumbersome and limit the rights of the lender in case of borrower default. It becomes more difficult for the lender to go after the collateral to get paid back. So, many of these creative restaurant loan options are not available to the borrower.

If your in a franchise agreement now, and own the property your business occupies, then consider the SBA 7a loan for your refinance. Many borrowers are under the wrong impression that they cannot refinance with SBA loans. The exception are if the new loan will save the borrower 20% on their existing mortgage payment (this is on a cash flow basis), existing loan floats, has a balloon on it or if their existing interest rate will be reduced by 2% or more (keep in mind that most rates are currently in the 6%’s) from the proposed 7a loan refinance.

Also, another major misperception about the SBA 7a loan is that it’s always a floating rate loan. 99% of the time this is accurate. However there are a few sources that offer this program as a 5 year fixed 25 year amortization loan.

If, and going back to the original point, you own your property and run a non franchise restaurant out of it, then you’ll have all three options available to you – CMBS, SBA and conventional. With CMBS loans you will have the option of 30 year amortization loans, rates fixed for as long as 30 years, loan to values as high as 75% on refinance and 85% on purchases.

Author: Jeff Rauth
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Many people have heard the startling myth that nine out of 10 restaurants fail within their first year of opening. Hearing this can make anyone who is contemplating going into the restaurant industry think twice.

But according to H.G. Parsa, associate professor in Ohio State University’s Hospitality Management program, as quoted in a Business Week article, this is not true.

After researching, he found that realistically, 3 out of 5 restaurants close or change ownership within their first year of business.

According to the article, Parsa also identified “…lack of sufficient startup capital as one of the major elements that contribute to a restaurant’s failure,” leading him to believe that many banks won’t lend to restaurants because they may believe those mythical statistics. The article states, “Typically, the ones that do [lend] require would-be restaurateurs to pay sky-high interest rates or put up significant collateral…”

But even if banks are wary of lending to restaurant owners, especially new ones, for the reasons mentioned above, there is another option; restaurant loans.

Restaurant loans can be used for startup restaurants, or for restaurants that have been in existence for any length of time. The loans are unsecured, so there is no collateral required, nor are there fixed monthly payments. Restaurant loan payments are made via the restaurants credit card sales. Once a restaurant owner receives a restaurant loan, whenever customers use their debit or credit cards to pay for their food or drinks, a small percentage from the sale goes to repay the restaurant loan. This allows the loan repayments to go with the flow of business.

Another benefit of the restaurant loan is borrowers receive the opportunity to renew their restaurant loan once 60 percent of their previous balance has been paid. Therefore a new restaurant can get a loan and the money funded into the account of his/her choice within the first week of the restaurant’s opening. But it doesn’t stop there. These renewal opportunities allow restaurant owners to have access to an ongoing source of business financing, as they can renew their loans as many times as they like.

Increase your chances of restaurant success by getting a restaurant loan, and having enough money to finance everything that a successful restaurant needs.

Author: Gaston Castro
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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The restaurant industry is booming. With 945,000 U.S. locations and 13.1 million employees, 2008 restaurant sales totaled $558 billion dollars. That means, on a typical day, restaurant industry sales are about $1.5 billion.

In order to produce these numbers, restaurant owners need cash, cash that many attempt to acquire through bank loans. But when the bank is not an option, many would-be borrowers feel discouraged and often like they’ve hit a road block. However, restaurant loans provide an alternate route.

A restaurant loan is a form of a merchant cash advance. Like merchant cash advances, the loan is repaid via the credit card purchases of customers. Also, like merchant cash advances, they can be renewed, offering restaurant owners a type of “revolving loan.” Unlike most cash advances, that require a merchant to have owned his/her business for at least four months to be eligible for a loan, a borrower can receive a restaurant loan within the first week of the restaurant’s opening. Now in addition to being able to use the loan to expand your restaurant, for a boost in working capital, or for a special project, new restaurant owners can use these loans for startups as well.

Restaurant owners understand that creating a venue that appeals to consumers is vital, as obviously, these types of sales would not be possible if it weren’t for the consumer. People go out to eat when they don’t have the time to cook, or simply don’t want to cook. They go to restaurants to celebrate milestones, birthdays, holidays and accomplishments and to spend time with friends and/or family.

According to statistics provided by the National Restaurant Association, 70 percent of adults said their favorite restaurant foods provide flavor and taste sensations which cannot be easily duplicated in their home kitchens.

Restaurant owners have the challenge of keeping up with the times, providing healthier options and sometimes environmentally friendly sites, as “62 percent of adults said they are likely to make a restaurant choice based on how environmentally friendly a restaurant is,” states the National Restaurant Association.

Restaurant loans can make it possible for restaurant owners to provide these meals that customers can not duplicate, to create environmentally friendly spaces, and to finance all of the endeavors that it takes to make and keep customers. The loans can be attained with no collateral and offer a repayment process that is ideal for restaurant owners. Choose a restaurant loan to help bring out the best in your restaurant.

Author: Gaston Castro
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Finding a restaurant loan to cover expenses after you have opened your restaurant or when you are opening a new restaurant can be difficult.

You may find that with economic situations and the uncertainty of the restaurant industry, that you may have a hard time finding the funding you need to open a restaurant. That is why it is important to consider alternative financing methods when you are looking for funding for a food service business.

These methods can help bypass things like excessive wait times when looking for a loan. These alternatives are not difficult to find when looking for a restaurant loan, in fact they can be quite easy to locate, apply for, and be approved for making them perfect for franchise holders and people who are opening their first restaurant or just a single location.

This type of restaurant loan alternative takes a cut or percentage of future sales done with credit or debit cards and uses these to pay back the cash advance. It is called a merchant cash advance and obtaining approval is not difficult at all. There are unsecured small business loans, unsecured business lines of credit, but still not as easy to get as a restaurant business cash advance!

If you are looking into getting a unsecured business loan, or unsecured business line of credit and have been denied for either one, the business cash product does not ask for collateral so it is a unsecured working capital advance to you.

This cash advance product is a perfect business loan alternative for owners of pizza, diners, fine dining or casual dining restaurants, that are having difficulty getting financing or just don’t have the time for the long approval and funding process from your bank and need the money quickly.

To qualify you will need to accept credit cards, have at least $2,500 a month in sales with Master card and Visa. Your credit either business or personal does not have to be perfect but you will need a few other things.

You will need to have been open at least 5-6 months and turn in a lease on your location, if you do not own it. You also have to produce 4 months of statements for both credit card processing and bank statements. You also must be free of open judgments, bankruptcies, and open tax liens for this type of advance.

Getting a restaurant loan can be difficult at any stage of the process, before you open a restaurant, for start up unexpected costs, building costs, as well as after you open for equipment or even to expand. The restaurant industry can be a difficult one to break into. There is an extensive amount of competition and small or family owned can often find it difficult to make ends meet. It is because of this that banks and other traditional and formal lending institutions provide strict guidelines for these types of loans.

For those that have less than perfect credit it can be nearly impossible, but with this business cash advance product your credit score is not a big issue with certain cash advance financing companies.

This is why finding alternatives for a restaurant loan is essential when you need financing quickly. You can receive a business cash advance within 10-14 days and have the money you need to upgrade your business, get new equipment or just maintain operation during a down time in the economy.

When opening a restaurant there is always the chance that you are going to need extra financing and always the chance that the bank is going to turn you down. This is when you need to look into alternative financing sources and other ways of obtaining the restaurant loan you need to get your business started, maintain your business or upgrade and expand.

Copyright@2008

Author: Edwin De Leon
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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