Financing Options for Florida's Hospitality Businesses
Florida is one of the top U.S. destinations for tourism, with over 130 million annual visitors and a hospitality sector that spans from luxury beachfront resorts to family-owned eateries. But behind the sunshine and palm trees, running a hospitality business in Florida requires strategic funding.
Whether you operate a hotel in Orlando, a restaurant in Miami, or a bed-and-breakfast in the Keys, this guide breaks down the best financing options for Florida’s hospitality businesses—helping you invest, grow, and thrive.
Why Florida Hospitality Businesses Need Flexible Funding
From hurricane recovery to seasonal slowdowns, the hospitality sector in Florida faces unique challenges. Business financing can help:
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Renovate or expand your facility
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Hire and train seasonal or full-time staff
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Purchase furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E)
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Smooth out cash flow during off-peak months
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Launch marketing campaigns or upgrade your booking system
Smart financing is the key to staying competitive in a high-demand, high-cost market.
1. SBA Loans for Hospitality Businesses in Florida
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) partners with Florida banks to offer low-interest loans with longer repayment terms.
🏨 SBA 7(a) Loan
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Max Amount: $5 million
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Uses: Real estate, renovations, working capital, refinancing, equipment
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Terms: Up to 25 years for real estate, 7–10 for working capital
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Rates: Prime + 2.25–4.75%
Best for: Hotels, motels, or restaurants looking to purchase or upgrade property, refinance debt, or expand operations
🧾 SBA 504 Loan (Fixed Asset Financing)
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Structure: 50% lender + 40% SBA Certified Development Company (CDC) + 10% borrower
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Uses: Land, buildings, major renovations, heavy equipment
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Terms: Up to 25 years
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Rates: Fixed and below market average
Best for: Hospitality businesses purchasing or developing property
💡 Use the SBA Lender Match Tool to find SBA lenders in Florida.
7-Step Funding Process for Florida Hospitality Owners
(Featured Snippet Section)
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Define your funding needs and goals
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Choose the loan or financing option that best fits
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Gather business financials and projections
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Apply with a Florida-based lender
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Complete underwriting and approval
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Close the loan and receive funds
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Deploy capital toward approved uses
2. Working Capital Loans for Seasonal Cash Flow
Tourism-based businesses in Florida often see large fluctuations in revenue due to weather, holidays, and school breaks.
🔁 Best Working Capital Options:
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Short-term business loans (6–18 months)
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Lines of credit for payroll, inventory, or marketing
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Merchant cash advances (for card-heavy businesses)
Tip: Use short-term capital to stock up before peak seasons or run targeted ads ahead of events like Spring Break or Daytona 500.
3. Equipment and FF&E Financing
Hotels, restaurants, and attractions all require regular upgrades to remain competitive.
🛠️ What You Can Finance:
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Commercial kitchen appliances
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Hotel room furniture and linens
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POS systems and security systems
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Shuttle vans or golf carts
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Patio dining expansions
Most FF&E loans are structured so the equipment itself serves as collateral—helping preserve working capital.
4. Florida-Specific Financing Programs
🌴 Florida Opportunity Fund
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Venture and loan capital for high-growth companies
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May apply to innovative hospitality or tourism-tech startups
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Managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO)
🏛️ Florida SBDC (Small Business Development Center) Network
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Free loan consultation and application support
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Offices in Miami, Tampa, Gainesville, Orlando, and more
🏨 Visit Florida Co-Op Marketing Grants
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For small tourism businesses promoting Florida travel
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Reimbursement-style grant to offset marketing expenses
Find more grants and state resources at FloridaJobs.org (opens in new tab).
5. Hotel and Resort Financing: What to Know
Florida's hotel industry is a major economic driver, with major lenders offering tailored loan programs.
🏖️ Loan Options:
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Bridge loans for renovation or repositioning
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CMBS loans (for stabilized resorts)
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Owner-occupied real estate loans
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Franchise financing programs (e.g., Hilton, Marriott branded locations)
📍 Where to Get Financing:
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Local banks with hospitality divisions (e.g., Seacoast Bank, BankUnited)
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National lenders with strong Florida portfolios (e.g., Live Oak Bank)
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Hospitality-specific lenders like Stonehill or Hall Structured Finance
Real Example: Restaurant Rebuild in Fort Myers Beach
Business: Tropical Bites Café
Need: $275,000 to repair hurricane damage and reopen
Solution: SBA 7(a) loan through Seacoast Bank + local grant support
Outcome:
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Completed renovations in under 3 months
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Rehired 15 employees
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Received national press and community support
Takeaway: Pairing SBA loans with local recovery programs can fuel fast recovery and growth.
What Florida Lenders Look For
✅ Qualification Checklist:
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1–2 years of business operation
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$100K+ annual revenue (typically)
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Personal credit score of 620+
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Business plan or financial projections
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Clean corporate filings and licenses
📁 Documents You’ll Need:
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Tax returns (2–3 years)
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Profit & loss statements
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Balance sheet
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Use-of-funds breakdown
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Business licenses and lease agreements
External Authoritative Links
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SBA – Hospitality Industry Resources (opens in new tab)
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Florida Small Business Development Center Network (opens in new tab)
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Visit Florida Grant Opportunities (opens in new tab)
Pros and Cons of Hospitality Financing in Florida
Pros | Cons |
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Flexible SBA and state-backed loan programs | High seasonality makes lenders cautious |
FF&E and real estate financing widely available | Down payments often required (10–30%) |
Support from SBDCs and tourism agencies | Disaster zones may impact insurance/funding |
Ideal market for hospitality innovation | May need detailed forecasts and documentation |
Conclusion: Hospitality Financing Built for Florida’s Growth
With year-round tourism, a growing population, and strong public-private support, Florida offers hospitality businesses an ideal environment to grow—if you have the right funding in place. Whether you're renovating a boutique hotel or launching a new food concept, your financing strategy should align with your goals, your seasonality, and your long-term vision.
Looking to fund your next big move in Florida’s hospitality industry?
Connect with an SBA lender, explore equipment financing options, or speak to your local SBDC to find a custom solution built for Florida business success.