Financing a restaurant: helpful tips for opening a new restaurant

Then you will find some helpful information here on the subject of "financing in the catering trade". In Germany there are hundreds of programs to support companies and the self-employed. These can also be combined in different ways in order to obtain the greatest possible financial assistance.

It always starts with a financial plan that will help you list and sort your expenses. In order to get a better impression of the most important components of such a plan, we have explained it to you in more detail below.

For the financial plan, it is advisable to divide the costs into “one-time” and “recurring or monthly”. The cost points under monthly can be adjusted based on past experience and are constantly updated.

One-time expenses include things like kitchen utensils, restaurant furniture, crockery and various glasses, a till system, a counter, dishwashers, etc.

Monthly expenses include things like insurance (e.g. company liability insurance or content insurance), water, electricity, GEMA, GEZ, personnel costs, food and beverages, cleaning supplies, decorative elements, etc. Value added tax and sales tax should also be considered when listing the costs.

Since maintenance costs can differ depending on the location, size, staff, gastronomy style (upscale gastronomy, with or without food, etc.), it is difficult to give a general sum that is required to set up a restaurant.

With the help of a good financial plan, you can get a little closer to your dream of having your own restaurant or bar.

Now that you know how much money you need, it's time to start thinking about where the money will come from.

In addition to the classic way, via loans from a bank, there are other options. Because a loan from the bank can usually only be obtained by proving equity and other safeguards for the investing bank.

That's why we've put together a few more interesting ideas on how you can afford your own restaurant or bar!

However, there are also banks that support start-ups with various offers that do not require equity. For example, the KfW funding - Loan Corporation for Reconstruction - which offers a loan with the "ERP start-up loan - StartGeld" which is secured by the EU within the framework of the COSME program. This is a loan of a maximum of €100,000 at an effective interest rate of currently 1.87% per year (as of April 26, 2021).

If you are looking for investors, KfW has a special one for you Offer.

The KfW Entrepreneur Loan is also interesting for houses that have been in existence for at least five years: It offers the option of borrowing up to 25 million euros at currently 1% interest - and with a 50% liability exemption if desired.

Our tip: for a successful start-up it is useful (and attractive for banks) to draw up a professional business plan (also predicts profits, required expenses, etc.).

In addition to the classic loans, there are also different subsidies from the federal and state governments, e.g. through grants, loans or guarantees. This can involve various types of funding, such as consulting or investment funding.

Since the available funding can differ depending on the federal state and can also change in terms of content, it is best to take a look at the possible offers and help in your federal state here after.

Benefits of government funding are:

Another option is to get credit or loans through your trusted brewery. For this purpose, a cooperation with the brewery is entered into, which consists on the one hand of credits or loans at acceptable interest rates and is usually supplemented by the equipment of glasses, outdoor signs, etc. of the brewery. Thus, money for glasses and the like. be saved.

On the other hand, the restaurateurs undertake to only buy the products of the brewery. Depending on the brewery, this can relate to beers or soft drinks and other things, and thus mean severe restrictions and less product variety for the counter. In addition, the drinks are sold at a fixed price that has been set in advance.

Our tip: It makes sense to get quotes from several different breweries and compare them. The advice of a lawyer can be advantageous in this contract model.

Another perspective are microcredit funds, which are more suitable for small sums.

The whole thing runs through the Federal Ministry and pursues the goal of making it easier for small companies and founders to access small amounts of credit.

In the case of an initial application, sums of up to €10,000 at 7.9% are possible. The use of the funds is strictly limited to business needs.

As soon as the borrowers have been able to pay the repayments without any problems for six months, there is the possibility of increasing the loan to a maximum of €25,000! No matter how you do it, the microcredit is limited to a four-year term.

Depending on how much money you need, it would also be an option to look for interested sponsors who would like to invest in your restaurant/bar idea. If you have acquaintances or friends who have the financial means to issue you a personal loan, it would of course always be worth trying.

There is also the possibility of a crowdfunding platform, but you need a certain reach and awareness to reach many potential donors. Most innovative ideas with sustainable concepts or well-known restaurants are supported. The unique selling proposition of your gastronomy or your bar and your marketing knowledge are decisive.

Our tip: If you're interested in trying crowdfunding, reach out to local media who will help spread the word about your campaign. Innovative start-ups in their own region are particularly welcome.

Get in touch with your IHK. There are many programs organized and implemented by the IHK especially for founders. There is, for example, the IHK start-up days or the opportunity to take advantage of professional start-up advice. In addition, the IHK can provide extensive information about various subsidies and also knows which subsidies make the most sense, can be combined, etc.

Our tip: With leasing and installment payments, you can make ends meet, especially for the beginning. Installment payments are particularly useful for kitchen equipment, for example.

As you can see, there are various ways to finance your own restaurant or bar.

You have to decide which financing method is the right one for you based on what economic resources you already have and what conditions you want or are able to accept.