Key Takeaways
- Bankable requires NO citizenship or green card — DACA status with SSN qualifies
- DACA restaurateurs have earned Michelin stars and operate multi-unit concepts with $500K–$3M revenue
- SBA loans are now closed to DACA recipients (March 2026 100% citizen rule) — Bankable is the direct alternative
- Revenue-based tranche funding up to $5M with 48-hour approval decisions
- 92% approval rate for applicants meeting revenue thresholds — your food business is your credential
DACA recipients have built some of America's most celebrated restaurants. From taco trucks that became brick-and-mortar institutions to Mexican seafood restaurants that earned regional acclaim, Dreamer chefs and restaurateurs are an economic force. The average DACA recipient arrived in the US at age 6. They went to American culinary schools, trained in American kitchens, and built businesses with American customers. The only thing they lack is a piece of paper — and Bankable doesn't require it.
The SBA Door Just Closed — Bankable's Is Open
In March 2026, the SBA implemented a rule requiring all borrowers to be US citizens or nationals. For the estimated 12,000+ DACA-owned food service businesses, this wasn't just a policy change — it was a gut punch. Business owners who built $800K-a-year restaurants, who employ 15 American workers, who pay federal taxes — suddenly locked out of the most affordable capital program in the country.
Bankable has zero citizenship or residency requirements. We fund based on what you've built: monthly revenue, time in business, and growth trajectory. If your restaurant is doing $30K/month or more in revenue, we want to talk.
What DACA Restaurant Owners Fund With Bankable
- Kitchen equipment: Commercial ovens, ventilation systems, walk-in coolers, POS upgrades
- Second location buildout: Leasehold improvements, furniture, equipment for new space
- Working capital: Payroll, food cost inventory, rent during slow months
- Food truck to brick-and-mortar: Bridge capital for the leap from mobile to fixed location
- Catering fleet expansion: Vehicles, equipment, licensing for catering arm
- Franchise acquisition: Down payment and working capital for a franchise purchase
How Bankable's Funding Works
Bankable uses a revenue-based tranche funding model. Instead of a single lump-sum loan with fixed monthly payments, we structure capital in tranches aligned with your revenue. As your restaurant grows, your access to capital grows with it. Repayment is tied to a percentage of monthly revenue — on slow months, you pay less. On strong months, you pay more.
This model is purpose-built for hospitality businesses with seasonal swings and variable revenue. It's also a genuine SBA alternative for DACA owners who are locked out of government-backed programs.
Minimum Requirements for Restaurant Funding
| Requirement | Bankable Standard |
|---|---|
| Citizenship / Residency | Not required — DACA status with SSN accepted |
| Time in Business | 12 months minimum (6 months for some products) |
| Monthly Revenue | $15,000+ monthly gross revenue |
| Credit Score | 580+ personal credit (revenue-weighted) |
| Documents | 3 months bank statements, EAD card, SSN, business license |
DACA Restaurant Success: What's Possible
Consider the numbers: a DACA restaurateur in San Antonio running a $1.2M/year Tex-Mex concept with 18 employees. Pre-2026, they might have pursued an SBA 7(a) loan for a second location. Today, that door is shut. With Bankable, that same $1.2M in annual revenue qualifies for a funding tranche of $200K–$400K — enough to open that second location, hire the kitchen staff, and hit the ground running.
The food service industry contributes over $900 billion annually to the US economy. DACA entrepreneurs are a significant and growing slice of that. Bankable exists to make sure the capital markets recognize what these operators have built.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. DACA provides an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and SSN, which Bankable accepts. We have no citizenship or green card requirement. Your restaurant's monthly revenue is the primary qualification factor.
You'll need your EAD card, SSN, 3 months of business bank statements, a voided business check, and your business license or food handler permits. No green card or citizenship documentation is required.
Yes. The SBA's March 2026 rule now requires all SBA loan borrowers to be US citizens or nationals. DACA recipients are no longer eligible for SBA 7(a) or SBA 504 loans. Bankable's revenue-based funding is a direct SBA alternative with no citizenship requirement.
Bankable issues decisions within 48 hours of receiving your complete application. Funding typically arrives 3–7 business days after approval. We have no citizenship-related delays — your revenue profile drives the timeline.
Bankable funds up to $5M in total capital through our tranche system. Initial tranches for restaurants typically range from $50K to $500K based on monthly revenue, with subsequent tranches available as you scale.
Yes — your EAD must be current at the time of application. If your DACA renewal is pending, we can discuss timing. Bankable does not penalize you for DACA's renewal cycle — we understand the administrative process.
Absolutely. Second-location expansion is one of the most common uses of Bankable capital for restaurant operators. We can structure a tranche to cover leasehold improvements, equipment, and 90 days of working capital.
Revenue-based funding typically carries a higher effective cost than SBA loans. However, the comparison is between access and no access — since DACA owners cannot get SBA loans as of 2026. Bankable pricing is transparent and tied to your revenue performance.
Revenue-based repayment is designed for seasonality. During slow months, your payment is a lower dollar amount. During peak months, you pay more. This structure reduces the risk of payment stress during off-season periods.
Yes. Equipment purchases are one of the most straightforward use cases. Commercial ovens, refrigeration, POS systems, espresso machines, and food prep equipment all qualify. Equipment can also serve as additional collateral for larger funding amounts.