Tacoma and Spokane each have vibrant dining scenes—urban cafés near the waterfront, craft brew pubs in historic neighborhoods, farm‑to‑table kitchens, and cozy breakfast spots. Whether you're launching fresh concepts or expanding existing venues, access to capital is key to opening doors, hiring talent, upgrading equipment, and driving growth.
This guide covers loan options for restaurants and cafés in Tacoma and Spokane—from SBA programs and local grants to equipment financing and flexible credit lines—helping you find the right path to fund your hospitality vision.
Operating a food business involves high upfront and ongoing costs:
Leasehold buildouts and renovations
Kitchen equipment and point-of-sale systems
Hiring and training staff
Initial inventory, food costs, and licensing
Marketing, branding, and online delivery integration
Seasonal variation and cash-flow fluctuations
🍽️ From summer crowds on the waterfront to winter café comfort, Washington’s mid‑sized markets require reliable funding strategies for sustained success.
The SBA provides several loan programs ideal for restaurant use:
Use: Working capital, payroll, equipment, expansion, refinancing
Loan Size: Up to $5M
Terms: 10 years for equipment, 25 years for real estate
Rates: Prime + 2.25%–4.75%
Best for: Large-scale buildouts or multi-location startups
Use: Real estate purchases or significant leasehold improvements
Structure: 50% bank, 40% CDC, 10% borrower
Benefits: Fixed interest, long terms
Best for: Buying property or major renovations
Use: Small equipment, initial inventory, signage, licenses
Loan Size: Up to $50K
Administered by local nonprofit lenders like Business Impact NW or Spokane SBDC
Ideal for: Café startups or food trucks
📍 Apply via Seattle-area SBA-approved partners like the Seattle SBA District Office which serves Tacoma and Spokane.
Define the purpose (e.g., buildout, equipment, staffing)
Choose your loan type (7(a), 504, or Microloan)
Gather business plan, financials, lease/vendors quote
Approach SBA-approved lender or CDC
Submit application and documents
Undergo underwriting and review terms
Accept funds and begin your expansion or launch
Modern kitchens require significant investment in gear and tech:
Purchase ovens, refrigeration, POS systems, and HVAC
Secured by the equipment itself
Fixed repayments over 2–7 years
Providers: U.S. Bank, KeyBank, Deschutes Brewery Lending, Balboa Capital
Lower upfront costs, potential tax advantages
Leave, upgrade, or buy at lease end
Ideal for seasonal needs or fast-evolving menus
Seasonality and delivery services cause cash-flow fluctuations:
Draw as needed for payroll, inventory, marketing, or repairs
Interest only on amounts drawn
Revolving access for ongoing flexibility
Providers: Wells Fargo, KeyBank, Boomtown GBF (Spokane), Heritage Bank (Tacoma)
While grants are limited, regional programs help offset costs:
Supports small businesses with grants for rent/mortgage assistance
Prioritizes minority- and women-owned foodservice operators
[City of Tacoma Office of Economic Development]
One-time grants to aid small businesses impacted by economic shifts
Include grants specific to hospitality and food sectors
[Spokane City Office of Sustainability]
Business Impact NW (Tacoma) and Spokane SBDC offer free loan prep assistance, menu cost modeling, and growth strategy
SCORE chapters provide mentoring and local expertise
Quick funding based on future credit-card sales
High repayment costs—best used sparingly
Convert B2B payments (catering, event contracts) into immediate cash
Providers: BlueVine, altLINE
Launch new menu concepts or locations with Kickstarter, Harvest Hosts, or Mainvest
Great for building community buzz, especially in Tacoma’s local-food culture or Spokane’s foodie scene
Business: Maple & Mint Café
Project: Buildout of second location, new espresso machine, delivery integration
Funding Strategy:
$200K SBA 7(a) loan through Heritage Bank
$40K equipment financing for kitchen and POS systems
$30K Spokane Recovery grant
Used PSA mentorship from Spokane SBDC
Results:
Successful second opening within 6 months
50% boost in total revenue
Added 8 new staff members
SBA Seattle District Office (opens in new tab)
Business Impact NW (Tacoma) (opens in new tab)
Spokane SBDC (opens in new tab)
City of Tacoma Small Business Recovery Fund (opens in new tab)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| SBA loans provide low interest and long repayment terms | Approval can take 30–90 days |
| Equipment financing preserves capital and updates tech | Leases may be more expensive long-term |
| Local grants reduce debt burden during expansions | Highly competitive and limited funding pools |
| Businesses retain flexibility with lines of credit | MCAs and factoring carry high costs |
Tacoma and Spokane’s food scenes offer enormous opportunity—fueled by local demand, community support, and strong regional funding networks. Whether you're breaking ground on a second location or upgrading your kitchen, the right mix of SBA loans, equipment financing, local grants, and expert advisory can empower your growth.
Ready to fund your Tacoma or Spokane restaurant or café?
Connect with an SBA-approved lender, apply for city or recovery grants, or book a coaching session with local SBDC or SCORE mentors to get started today.