The UK restaurant sector like many others is highly competitive and susceptible to general economic conditions.

In an age where having strong cash reserves is vital, leasing of restaurant equipment is fundamental to any restaurant owners’ business plan.

Restaurant equipment from ovens to prep tables is easily financed by way of an equipment lease. It is generally considered unwise to pay for restaurant equipment outright and use up valuable working capital. Any spare cash reserves should be used for more pressing requirements such as paying staff salaries, purchasing stock, cash flow contingencies or identifying potential new restaurants/business opportunities.

Portman Asset Finance has helped a number of varying restaurant businesses in the UK. Recent transactions include the provision of £72,000 worth of finance to a contemporary Indian restaurant (this restaurant was nominated for an award for the quality of its restaurant equipment/kitchen layout). Portman also provided restaurant equipment leasing to a very successful chain of buffet restaurants that operate all over England. This customer saw the benefit of using leasing to finance the equipment and used his own cash reserves for costs that could not be financed through leasing i.e. rental deposit, solicitor’s fees, architects fees, staff salaries, stock etc.

Portman consider all of the following core equipment types for the restaurant equipment leasing sector:

1. Restaurant equipment including ovens, refrigeration, cooking ranges, preparation tables, cold rooms, microwaves, coffee machines, bain maries etc
2. Restaurant furniture including chairs, tables etc.
3. EPOS
4. CCTV
5. Air Conditioning