What can equipment financing cover in a restaurant kitchen?
Equipment financing covers movable, serial-numbered kitchen equipment that a funder can identify on an invoice. That includes cooking, refrigeration, dish, prep and holding equipment, and in many cases the delivery, installation and startup charges that appear on the same dealer quote.
Owners usually think about it station by station:
- Hot line: ranges, griddles, charbroilers, fryers, combi and convection ovens, deck and conveyor ovens.
- Cold side: reach-ins, refrigerated prep tables, blast chillers, undercounter drawers and ice machines.
- Dish: high-temp or low-temp dish machines, booster heaters and tabling.
- Prep and bakery: mixers, slicers, sheeters, proofers and food processors.
- Technology: kitchen display screens, controllers and bump bars.
See how operators plan specific pieces in our guides to financing a combi oven and kitchen display systems.
Why do funders treat equipment differently from construction?
Funders treat equipment differently because it can be identified, valued and recovered if payments stop, while drywall, wiring and plumbing cannot. That collateral is why equipment financing is often easier to size for a planned purchase than funding for work built into the building.
The practical effect shows up when a project mixes both. A new fry bank is equipment. The gas line extension, the hood modification and the fire-suppression nozzle changes around it are installed work. Many owners split the request: equipment financing for the fryers and a build-out or renovation loan or working capital for the rest. Ask your dealer and contractor to separate those lines on their quotes so the split is clean.
| Project cost | Equipment financing? | Common alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Ovens, fryers, refrigeration, dish machines | Usually yes | Line of credit for small items |
| Delivery, installation, startup on the dealer quote | Often, when on the same invoice | Working capital |
| Gas, electrical and plumbing work | Usually no | Build-out or renovation loan |
| Hood, ductwork and fire suppression | Sometimes, depends on funder | Build-out or renovation loan |
| Downtime while the kitchen is closed | No | Working capital |
When is equipment financing the right choice?
Equipment financing is usually the right choice when the item will outlast the payment term, the quote is firm and you want a predictable fixed payment. It fits planned upgrades, capacity additions and replacing aging units before they fail in the middle of service.
Good fits we see often:
- A brunch restaurant adding a combi oven so the range is free for eggs and sauces at peak.
- A pizzeria adding a second deck oven before delivery demand outruns the first.
- A catering kitchen adding a blast chiller to move to cook-chill production.
When not to use it: smallwares and short-lived items, anything you may replace within a couple of years, or a purchase you could cover comfortably from cash without straining payroll. Financing adds cost, so it should buy capacity, uptime or savings you can point to.
New or refurbished: does it change the financing?
It can. Many funders typically finance both new and refurbished equipment when the seller is an established dealer and the invoice lists make, model and serial numbers. New equipment often qualifies for longer structures and carries manufacturer warranties; refurbished units cost less upfront but may come with shorter terms.
Match the choice to how hard the unit works. A backup reach-in in a low-volume prep area is a reasonable refurbished buy. The primary fryer bank on a busy quick-service line is where warranty coverage and service support matter most. Whichever you choose, ask the dealer what the warranty covers and who handles service calls in your area.
What should the equipment quote include?
A strong quote lists each unit with manufacturer, model, quantity and price, plus separate lines for freight, delivery, installation, startup and removal of old equipment. Clear line items make review faster and help you see what the equipment financing covers versus what needs other funding.
Also confirm utility requirements before you sign anything: gas supply, voltage and phase, amperage, water supply and filtration, and drain needs. A new electric combi or induction unit may need an electrical upgrade, which is installed work rather than equipment. Our guide to gas-to-induction conversions walks through that split. When the quote is ready, you can start an application and share it with your request.
What you’ll typically need
- Short online application
- Recent business bank statements
- Driver's license for each owner
- Itemized equipment quote or invoice
- Voided business check
Frequently asked questions
Can installation be included in equipment financing?
Often, yes, when installation, delivery and startup appear on the same dealer quote as the equipment. Work done by a separate contractor, such as new gas lines, electrical service or hood changes, is usually funded separately with a term loan or working capital because it becomes part of the building.
Who receives the money in an equipment deal?
In many equipment deals the funder pays the dealer or vendor directly once documents are signed and the order is confirmed. Some structures reimburse the business instead. Your offer will explain how funds are disbursed, so confirm it before you place a deposit with a dealer.
Can several pieces of equipment be financed together?
Yes. Many owners group a full station or several stations into one package so there is one payment and one install window. Bundling works best when every unit is on one quote or a small set of quotes from established dealers, with model and serial details listed for each item.
What do funders review for equipment financing?
Requirements vary by product and funder; many look at time in business, monthly revenue and credit. They also look at recent bank statements, existing payment obligations and the equipment quote itself, including whether the equipment fits the business and holds its value.
How fast can equipment financing come together?
It depends on the size of the request and how complete your documents are. Some approvals come within a day or two, depending on documents, while larger packages with multiple vendors take longer. Having an itemized quote and recent bank statements ready is the simplest way to avoid delays.
Have an equipment quote in hand?
Share it with a short application and see which equipment financing options fit your kitchen.
Updated September 14, 2026 · Prime Kitchen Capital Funding Team