Can I start a restaurant in Maryland and finance commercial kitchen equipment?

Can I start a restaurant in Maryland and finance commercial kitchen equipment?

Yes — Maryland restaurants can finance commercial kitchen equipment with a fair FICO (620‑679), six months of history, and $150k+ revenue. See your rate now.

The specifics

• Credit score – 620‑679 (fair) Nav
• Business age – ≥6 months of operating history Nav
• Annual revenue – $150 000+ per year DimensionFunding
• Loan amount – $10 000 – $500 000 DimensionFunding
• Term – 48 – 84 months CrestmontCapital
• APR – 9 – 13 % Nav
• Down‑payment – 15 – 20 % of purchase price Nav
• Approval time – 30 – 45 days CrestmontCapital

You can calculate a realistic rate in 2 minutes with our affordability calculator – no hard inquiry, no paperwork until you decide. For local insights, check the 2026 Maryland equipment‑financing approval study at 2026-restaurant-equipment-financing-approval-study.

Qualification & edge cases

• Below 620 FICO – Many lenders still offer financing, but APR typically rises 3 – 5 percentage points and down‑payment may increase 10 – 20 % Nav.
• New business (< 6 months) – Lenders often require a short‑term working‑capital line (12 – 24 months) instead of a full equipment loan.
• Seasonal or uneven revenue – Provide cash‑flow projections or a higher debt‑to‑service ratio; a 1.25× debt‑service coverage ratio is a common minimum Nav.
• Used equipment – APR typically increases 1 – 2 % relative to new gear Nav.
• Additional funding – If equity or operating cash is limited, some lenders bundle working‑capital and equipment lines to speed approval (see the Fast Funding for Maryland Food Trucks partnership).

Background & how it works

Commercial kitchen equipment loans are secured by the appliances themselves, allowing lenders to offer competitive rates. Lenders evaluate three main factors: credit history, financial statements, and the resale value of the kitchen assets (DimensionFunding). After underwriting, a loan agreement spells out APR, term, monthly payment, and any upfront fees. The process is streamlined in Maryland because local lenders understand the state’s permitting and health regulations; this expertise often reduces underwritten risk and speeds approval to 30‑45 days.

Bottom line

A Maryland restaurant can secure commercial kitchen equipment financing with a fair credit score, healthy revenue, and minimal operating history. The approval window is 30‑45 days, and you can see your exact rate instantly – get the gear you need today.

Disclosures

This content is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. commercialkitchenfinancing.com may receive compensation from partner lenders, which may influence which products are featured. Rates, terms, and availability vary by lender and applicant qualifications.

Sources

• Nav
• DimensionFunding
• CrestmontCapital }