Business loans to buy bakery equipment:
Equipment financing
The most common way to buy bakery equipment, equipment loans are ‘self-collateralising’ – like auto loans – you use the equipment as you pay for it, while the lender maintains a lien on the machinery. Once you pay the loan back, the lender releases the lien, and you own the equipment outright. No added collateral is required.
Business term loan
The standard type of business loan. You receive a single, lump-sum cash injection and then pay it back in regular instalments, plus interest and any fees, over a fixed period of up to 25 years. Collateral may be required.
Business line of credit
This is a business loan that functions like a high-value credit card but comes with lower interest rates and fees. Withdraw as much as you want when you want from a loan facility up to the limit of your borrowing. You only pay interest on the sums you withdraw, not the whole line. This can significantly reduce your borrowing costs. Collateral may be required.
Invoice financing
Also known as account receivables financing, this type of loan allows you to borrow against the value of your unpaid invoices and is best for B2B organisations. The lender will usually provide up to 95% of the invoice value within a few days or even hours of the bill being raised. Your invoices act as security for the loan, no added collateral is required.
Merchant cash advance
Available for bakeries that accept customer payments by credit and debit card. You borrow against the value of your card sales. As your card sales increase, your borrowing limit goes up. Pay the loan back with a fixed percentage of your card sales on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Your sales act as security for the loan, no added collateral is required.
Business credit cards
If you have good credit, it may be possible to secure a business credit card with a high limit to buy your bakery equipment. The application process is usually online, fast, streamlined and does away with the need for piles of paperwork – in many cases you won’t even need a formal business structure to apply. Be aware that business credit card interest rates are typically much higher than for many other types of business loan. Collateral is usually not required.
Leasing bakery equipment:
Finance lease
A finance lease gives the lessee (you) the option to buy the equipment at contract end. You provide a down payment and then pay a monthly rental sum to use the equipment during the contract period. At the end of the lease you can either pay the residual sum and keep the equipment, extend the lease and continue to rent, or give the equipment back to the lessor. A finance lease may or may not include maintenance and servicing of the equipment. You will usually be responsible for the equipment insurance.
Operating lease
An operating lease is a simple long-term rental agreement. There is no option to buy the bakery equipment at contract end. You provide a down payment and then pay a monthly rental sum to use the equipment. When the lease expires, the equipment returns to the lessor. The lessor provides equipment maintenance and servicing, but you will usually be responsible for equipment insurance. An operating lease often comes with lower monthly payments than a finance lease.