Key Takeaways
- Many former H-2B hospitality workers launched restaurants using skills from resort food & beverage roles
- Bankable funds restaurant businesses $25K–$5M based on revenue — no green card required
- SBA 2026 citizenship rule eliminated non-citizen restaurant owners from all SBA programs
- Equipment financing, working capital, and expansion capital all available
- 48-hour approval decisions
From H-2B Kitchen Worker to Restaurant Owner
H-2B workers who spent seasons in resort kitchens, country club food service operations, and hotel dining rooms accumulated years of practical restaurant knowledge: prep systems, inventory management, food cost ratios, health code compliance, and the service standards that keep high-volume operations running smoothly. When they gain work authorization and launch their own restaurants, they bring an operational foundation that business school cannot replicate.
The barrier is capital. Banks decline restaurant loans from non-permanent residents at rates exceeding 70%. Bankable uses revenue as the primary underwriting criterion. If your restaurant generates consistent sales, you qualify — regardless of your immigration status.
Restaurant Industry Cash Flow Challenges
- Thin margins: Restaurant net margins average 3–9%, leaving little room for financial missteps.
- High upfront buildout costs: $150K–$500K for a full-service restaurant depending on market and concept.
- Seasonal and event-driven revenue: Revenue spikes around holidays and events while slow periods create cash gaps.
- Food cost inflation: Input costs averaging 8–12% annual increases erode margins without pricing adjustments.
- Equipment failures: Commercial kitchen equipment failures require immediate capital to stay open and serving.
What Restaurant Owners Use Bankable Funding For
- Kitchen equipment: Commercial ovens, refrigerators, hood systems, fryers, and POS systems. Equipment financing uses the asset as collateral.
- Working capital: Payroll, food inventory, and operating expenses during slow periods or before a marketing campaign pays off.
- Second location: Opening a second restaurant is the primary growth lever — and requires significant upfront capital for lease, buildout, and equipment.
- Renovation and rebranding: A $50K–$150K renovation can transform customer traffic and average check size.
- Catering equipment and expansion: Adding catering services to an existing restaurant is a high-margin revenue stream that requires dedicated equipment and marketing investment.
Revenue-Based Funding
Repay as a percentage of daily credit card deposits. Payments flex with your restaurant's daily volume.
Apply →Equipment Financing
Commercial kitchen equipment financed with the asset as collateral. Lower rates, longer terms.
Learn More →SBA 7(a) Alternative
Private capital with no SBA citizenship requirement. 48-hour decisions versus 30–90 day SBA timelines.
Learn More →Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Bankable does not require permanent residency. Former H-2B workers with any valid work authorization and documented restaurant revenue qualify based on that revenue.
We fund quick-service restaurants, full-service restaurants, food trucks, cafes, catering businesses, and food halls. Any food service business with documented revenue qualifies.
Repayment is a fixed percentage of your daily credit card and cash deposits — typically 8–15%. On slow days, payments are lower. On busy days and weekends, payments are higher but cash flow supports them.
The 2026 SBA rule requires 100% citizenship for all SBA-backed loans. Non-citizen restaurant owners including former H-2B workers are no longer eligible. Bankable is the alternative.
Funding depends on annual revenue and cash flow. A restaurant generating $600K annually might qualify for $100K–$250K. Larger operations can access more — up to $5M for multi-location groups.
Yes. Expansion funding is one of our most common restaurant uses. We evaluate the second location based on your existing restaurant's revenue and cash flow performance.
A personal FICO score of 580+ is typically required for initial pre-approval. The primary qualification is business revenue, not personal credit score.
Most restaurant applications receive a decision within 48 hours. Funds are typically deposited within 3–5 business days of approval.