Finance the kitchen that serves the revenue.
Catering equipment finance helps hospitality businesses spread the cost of commercial kitchens, refrigeration, coffee machines, EPOS and fit-out packages over the useful life of the equipment.
At a glance
- Restaurants, cafes, pubs, hotels and takeaways
- Ovens, refrigeration, coffee machines and EPOS
- New, used and full supplier packages
- HP and finance lease options
- Fast lender decisions from £5k–£500k
From
6.4%
Decision
24 hrs
Up to
£2m
From enquiry to funded — usually inside a week.
Enquire in 60 seconds
Tell us the asset, the amount and the timing. Soft search only — no impact on your credit score.
We get to know your business
A dedicated account manager picks up the phone, sense-checks your goals and gathers what we need.
We shop the market for you
We package the application, run it across 60+ specialist lenders and bring back the strongest no-obligation quotes.
Funded — usually in days
Accept the offer and sign electronically. Funds release direct to the supplier or to your account.
What is catering equipment finance?
Catering equipment finance is asset finance for restaurants, cafes, pubs and commercial kitchens, allowing businesses to acquire ovens, refrigeration, coffee machines, EPOS and fit-out equipment without paying the full cost upfront. The main options are hire purchase for ownership and finance lease for lower upfront cost and flexibility.
Commercial kitchen finance by equipment type.
Cooking line
Combi ovens, ranges, fryers, grills, pasta boilers, induction suites, salamanders and holding cabinets.
Refrigeration
Upright fridges, freezers, blast chillers, prep counters, cellar cooling and walk-in cold rooms.
Coffee and beverage
Espresso machines, grinders, batch brewers, water filtration, ice machines and smoothie or juice equipment.
Bakery and prep
Mixers, deck ovens, provers, slicers, vacuum packers, dough sheeters and stainless preparation equipment.
Dishwash and hygiene
Pass-through dishwashers, glasswashers, warewashing lines, waste systems and extraction components.
EPOS and service tech
Touchscreen tills, handheld ordering, kitchen display screens, printers and payment terminals.
Typical terms
- Ticket size
- £5k–£500k
- Term
- 12–72 months
- Deposit
- 0–25%
- Best fit
- HP or lease
What does a catering equipment package cost on finance?
Finance lease example
Cafe launch package
£38,000 package · 48-month lease
- Coffee machine and grinders
- £14,500
- Refrigeration and prep
- £13,500
- EPOS and dishwash
- £10,000
- Deposit
- £0
- Monthly rental
- £925
Indicative only. Pricing depends on credit, supplier, equipment mix and term.
Hire purchase example
Restaurant kitchen upgrade
£86,000 package · 60-month HP · 10% deposit
- Deposit
- £8,600
- Amount financed
- £77,400
- Monthly payment
- £1,650
- Ownership at end
- Yes
- Best for
- Long-life kitchen assets
Indicative only. VAT and tax treatment should be checked with your accountant.
Hire purchase vs finance lease for catering equipment.
| Feature | Hire Purchase | Finance Lease |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Ovens, ranges, refrigeration | Coffee, EPOS and mixed fit-outs |
| Ownership | You own after option fee | Lender owns; extend, return or upgrade |
| VAT | Usually paid upfront | Spread across rentals |
| Monthly cost | Usually higher | Usually lower |
| Supplier packages | Good for asset-heavy packages | Good for mixed equipment and installation |
| Typical term | 36–72 months | 24–60 months |
Newer cold-side equipment can protect margin as energy costs move.
Modern refrigeration, blast chillers and efficient cooking equipment can reduce waste, improve service consistency and lower energy intensity. Finance helps operators upgrade essential kit while keeping working capital available for stock, payroll and launch marketing.
Catering equipment finance, answered.
Can I finance catering equipment for a restaurant or cafe?
Yes. AssetFi arranges catering equipment finance for restaurants, cafes, pubs, hotels, takeaways, bakeries and commercial kitchens. We can fund new and used equipment, full kitchen packages and single high-value items.
What catering equipment can be financed?
Common assets include combi ovens, ranges, fryers, refrigeration, walk-in cold rooms, coffee machines, dishwashers, extraction, prep counters, EPOS and bakery equipment. Installation can often be included when it is part of the supplier invoice.
Is hire purchase or finance lease better for catering equipment?
Hire purchase suits long-life equipment you want to own, such as ovens, ranges and refrigeration. Finance lease often works better for mixed packages, coffee machines, EPOS and equipment you may upgrade as trading volume changes.
Can a new restaurant get catering equipment finance?
Yes, but lenders usually want a clear business plan, signed lease or premises evidence, director experience, supplier quote and a deposit. Existing operators opening a second site normally have more lender options than first-time operators.
Can used catering equipment be financed?
Yes. Used equipment can be funded where the supplier is reputable, the asset has clear serial numbers and the remaining useful life is longer than the finance term. Refrigeration and cooking equipment may need warranty or inspection evidence.
How fast can catering equipment finance be arranged?
Straightforward catering finance decisions can arrive within 24 hours. Full kitchen fit-outs can take a little longer because lenders need supplier schedules, asset breakdowns, installation details and confirmation that funded items remain identifiable.
Representative example
9.9% APR representative based on hire purchase of £25,000 over 36 months with a 10% deposit (£2,500). Monthly repayment £726. Total amount payable £28,636. Total cost of credit £6,136.
Rates depend on credit profile, asset type, deposit and term. AssetFi Ltd is a credit broker, not a lender. Commission disclosure.