Kensley Company arranges financing for commercial restaurant equipment through a network of independent equipment finance lenders. We work with restaurant operators, multi-unit franchisees, ghost kitchens, food trucks, and hospitality businesses financing kitchen build-outs, equipment replacement, and full restaurant FF&E packages.
Restaurant equipment has a long useful life, well-established secondary markets, and standardized cost structures, making it a category that lenders generally finance with confidence.
What We Finance
Through our lender network, we arrange financing for:
- Cooking equipment — commercial ovens, ranges, fryers, grills, broilers, charbroilers, salamanders, conveyor ovens
- Refrigeration — walk-in coolers and freezers, reach-in units, prep tables, blast chillers, ice machines
- Dishwashing and sanitation — under-counter, door-type, conveyor, and flight-type dishwashers; three-compartment sinks; sanitation stations
- Food preparation — mixers, slicers, food processors, prep tables, work stations
- Beverage equipment — espresso machines, coffee equipment, draft beer systems, soda dispensers, frozen beverage machines
- POS systems and technology — point-of-sale terminals, kitchen display systems, online ordering hardware, payment terminals
- Dining furniture and FF&E — tables, chairs, booths, bar furniture, dining room build-outs
- Ventilation and exhaust — hood systems, fire suppression, makeup air units
- Specialty equipment — pizza ovens, sushi cases, smokers, rotisseries, deli equipment
We arrange financing for new and used equipment. Full restaurant packages — typically $50,000 to $500,000 for a complete kitchen and dining build-out — are routinely structured through our lender network.
Typical Financing Structures
Restaurant equipment is commonly financed through:
- $1 Buyout Lease. The most popular structure for restaurant equipment. Functions like a finance agreement with lease accounting treatment, and the business owns the equipment at the end of the term for a nominal payment.
- Equipment Finance Agreement (EFA). Fixed-term financing with day-one ownership, often selected by businesses planning to claim Section 179 deductions or that want straightforward depreciation treatment.
- Operating Lease and FMV Lease. Useful for operators that want lower monthly payments and the option to upgrade or refresh equipment at the end of the term.
Terms typically range from 36 to 60 months for individual equipment purchases. Full restaurant packages may be structured over 60–72 months to align payments with operating cash flow during ramp-up.
Equipment cost range is typically $10,000 to $500,000+. Multi-location operators and franchise build-outs can extend beyond this range with appropriate documentation.
Restaurant Segments We Serve
- Independent restaurants — single-location concepts financing equipment for new openings or replacements
- Multi-unit operators and franchisees — businesses building out additional locations or refreshing existing ones
- Quick-service and fast-casual — businesses operating under franchise or independent concepts
- Full-service and fine dining — restaurants with extensive kitchen, bar, and dining room equipment needs
- Ghost kitchens and commissaries — businesses operating kitchens for delivery-only or production-only models
- Food trucks and mobile food businesses — financing for kitchen equipment installed in food trucks, trailers, and mobile units (vehicle financing handled separately, often through our trucking-focused lender partners)
- Bars, breweries, and beverage-focused operations — draft systems, refrigeration, glass-washing, bar build-outs
- Bakeries, cafes, and coffee shops — specialty equipment for production and retail service
- Catering operations — mobile and stationary equipment for off-premise catering
Application Process
- Submit a short application at kensleycompany.com/apply.
- We match your application to the lender most likely to approve it based on equipment, location, and business profile.
- The lender reviews and issues a decision, typically within 1–3 business days.
- If you accept, you sign the financing agreement directly with the lender.
- The lender funds the equipment vendor, and the equipment ships to your location.
Documentation typically requested by restaurant lenders includes:
- 3–6 months of business bank statements
- A copy of the equipment quote or full build-out invoice
- Business license and food service permits (for existing operations)
- Franchise documentation (for franchisees)
- Lease or location documentation (for new build-outs)