How we picked
Filtered to lenders that fund high-velocity card-and-mobile-heavy quick service operations. POS-embedded options (Toast, Square) ranked first because most independent QSRs and many franchise concepts run them and underwriting reads directly from card-and-mobile-order sales velocity. Equipment financing prioritized for drive-thru tech, fryers, grills, and POS hardware. SBA reserved for full QSR build-out, drive-thru-conversion, and additional-unit expansion. Generalist MCA included for fast working capital. CDFI for first-generation and minority QSR operators.
Top picks at a glance
| Lender | Best for | Amount | Speed | Min credit | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toast Capital | Best POS-embedded working capital for Toast-using QSR concepts | $5,000 – $300,000 | Funds in 1 – 3 business days after approval | No published floor — Toast underwrites against POS history, not FICO | Apply → |
| Square Capital | Best POS-embedded option for Square-using QSR and fast-casual operators | $300 – $250,000 | Funds as soon as next business day | No FICO pull — Square underwrites entirely against your Square sales history | Apply → |
| Live Oak Bank | Best SBA 7(a) for QSR build-out and drive-thru conversion | $25,000 – $25,000,000+ | 30 – 90 days underwriting (SBA standard) | 680+ typical | Apply → |
| Beacon Funding | Best equipment financing for fryers, grills, and drive-thru tech | $5,000 – $1,000,000 | Funding in 1 – 5 business days | 550+ | Apply → |
| Credibly | Best fast working capital for emergency equipment and marketing pushes | $5K – $600K | As fast as 4 hours | 550+ | Apply → |
| Accion Opportunity Fund | Best CDFI for first-generation and minority-owned QSR operators | $5,000 – $250,000 | Funding in 5 – 15 business days | 550+ (more flexible than banks) | Apply → |
Advertiser disclosure: Fundnode may earn referral fees from funders listed on this page when you apply through us. This does not affect editorial rankings — see our methodology.
Detailed reviews — our 6 picks
#1 · Best POS-embedded working capital for Toast-using QSR concepts
Toast Capital
Max amount
$300,000
Cost
Factor 1.13 – 1.36 (single fee, no compounding)
Speed
Funds in 1 – 3 business days after approval
Min credit
No published floor — Toast underwrites against POS history, not FICO
Why we picked it
Toast is the dominant POS for independent fast-casual and quick-service concepts that run table service or counter-service hybrid models. Toast Capital offers pre-qualified loans inside the Toast dashboard with no external application. Single fee, no FICO check, repayment as a percentage of daily Toast card sales — which scales naturally to the high-velocity QSR ticket pattern. The right structure for fast working capital — covers a slow stretch, marketing push for a new menu item, or sudden equipment failure (fryer, grill) without affecting the bank or SBA credit profile.
The strength
Embedded in the Toast POS dashboard — eligible restaurants see a pre-qualified offer with no application. Repayment is auto-deducted as a fixed percentage of daily Toast deposits, so cash flow stays proportional to revenue. Single fee disclosed up front; no daily compounding factor games.
The watch-out
Only available to Toast POS customers — you have to be running their hardware/processing already. Loan amounts cap at roughly 70% of trailing 12-month Toast volume. If you switch processors, the agreement requires you to pay off the remaining balance immediately.
Qualifications
6 months
Toast POS volume drives offers — typically $10,000+/mo processed
No published floor — Toast underwrites against POS history, not FICO
#2 · Best POS-embedded option for Square-using QSR and fast-casual operators
Square Capital
Max amount
$250,000
Cost
Single fixed fee (typically 10 – 16% of loan amount)
Speed
Funds as soon as next business day
Min credit
No FICO pull — Square underwrites entirely against your Square sales history
Why we picked it
Square Capital offers pre-qualified loans inside the Square dashboard with the same single-fee, no-FICO-check, percentage-of-daily-sales structure. Dominant for ghost kitchens, food halls, smaller independent QSR, and concepts that run Square Register or Square for Restaurants. Fast funding (1-3 days from acceptance), no separate application, no collateral. The right tool when Square card volume is already strong and the operator wants working capital without leaving the Square ecosystem.
The strength
Most merchant-friendly headline structure in the industry: one fixed fee, no APR equivalents, no daily/weekly debits — repayment is a flat percentage of daily Square card sales until paid off. Eligibility check appears in your Square dashboard with no application. Approval typically arrives in minutes.
The watch-out
Square chooses who they offer to — you can't apply if Square doesn't surface an offer. Loan amount usually caps at ~1.4× monthly Square sales. The single fixed fee on a 9-month payback typically works out to 30–60% APR-equivalent, similar to mid-tier MCA. Only available to active Square sellers — if you stop processing, repayment converts to fixed daily debits.
Qualifications
12 months
$10,000+ in Square card sales typical floor for meaningful offers
No FICO pull — Square underwrites entirely against your Square sales history
#3 · Best SBA 7(a) for QSR build-out and drive-thru conversion
Live Oak Bank
Max amount
$25,000,000+
Cost
SBA 7(a) APR prime + 2.75% to 4.75%
Speed
30 – 90 days underwriting (SBA standard)
Min credit
680+ typical
Why we picked it
Live Oak is the #1 SBA 7(a) lender and explicitly funds QSR build-outs and drive-thru-conversion projects — they routinely close $400K-$1.2M packages for new fast-casual and QSR units including kitchen equipment, drive-thru lane construction, POS and order-confirmation displays, and working capital. Prime + 2.75-4.75% APR over 10 years dramatically beats every alternative on any build-out over $150K. 60-90 day close timeline. The right structure for a full QSR concept build-out or adding a drive-thru lane to an existing fast-casual.
The strength
Largest SBA 7(a) lender in the US by dollar volume for 7+ consecutive years. Industry-specialty teams (veterinary, dental, funeral homes, self-storage, agriculture, hotels). Deep understanding of niche-vertical underwriting. Dramatically cheaper than MCA for qualifying merchants.
The watch-out
Long underwriting timeline (45-90 days typical). Requires strong credit (680+), 2+ years operating, clean financials. Industries outside their specialty get less attention.
Qualifications
24 months
$20,000+
680+ typical
#4 · Best equipment financing for fryers, grills, and drive-thru tech
Beacon Funding
Max amount
$1,000,000
Cost
APR 8 – 25%
Speed
Funding in 1 – 5 business days
Min credit
550+
Why we picked it
Beacon funds the QSR equipment most general lenders won't touch — Henny Penny / Frymaster / Pitco fryers ($8K-$25K each, typically 4-8 per QSR), Vulcan / Garland flat-top grills, Lincoln / Middleby Marshall conveyor ovens for pizza and fast-casual, drive-thru headset systems and order-confirmation displays ($15K-$45K per lane), full POS hardware refreshes. 550+ credit acceptable. Equipment-secured APR 10-22% materially beats MCA on any package over $25K. Section 179 friendly in year of purchase.
The strength
Equipment financing with broader industry acceptance than larger competitors. Will fund specialty equipment (food trucks, photography gear, fitness equipment, salon equipment). Lower credit threshold (550+).
The watch-out
Higher rates than bank equipment financing for prime credit. Smaller deal cap. Industry specialization can mean less depth in any single vertical.
Qualifications
12 months
$10,000+
550+
#5 · Best fast working capital for emergency equipment and marketing pushes
Credibly
Max amount
$600K
Cost
Factor 1.11+ (MCA)
Speed
As fast as 4 hours
Min credit
550+
Why we picked it
When a fryer fails mid-service, a drive-thru headset system goes down during a Friday-night rush, or a sudden LTO menu launch needs marketing spend in 48 hours, Credibly funds in as fast as 4 hours. 550+ credit, 6+ months TIB, $15K+/mo revenue. Multi-product (MCA + LOC + term) — LOC structure is cheaper than MCA for recurring inventory and supplies, term for equipment replacement. The right tool when speed matters more than APR optimization.
The strength
March 2026 API V2 + Cloudsquare integration — most modern submission UX in MCA. $3B+ deployed, 60K+ SMBs. Publishes factor rates honestly (starting 1.11 for A-paper).
The watch-out
The 1.11 headline is the A-paper floor; average factor is closer to 1.32. ISO commission terms aren't public.
Qualifications
6 months
$15,000
550+
#6 · Best CDFI for first-generation and minority-owned QSR operators
Accion Opportunity Fund
Max amount
$250,000
Cost
APR 8.49% – 24.99%
Speed
Funding in 5 – 15 business days
Min credit
550+ (more flexible than banks)
Why we picked it
Mission-driven CDFI with APR 8.49-24.99% — dramatically cheaper than MCA equivalents. Accion explicitly funds first-generation QSR operators, BIPOC and women-owned fast-casual concepts, and immigrant-led food businesses that commercial banks pattern-match away from. $5K-$250K, 5-15 day timeline. The right tool for first-restaurant build-out at smaller scale, refinancing higher-cost MCA stacked during startup, or working capital during early-ramp months.
The strength
Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) — government-supported mission lender for underserved markets. Lower credit thresholds (550+). Strong support resources beyond just lending — coaching, networking. Lower APRs than alternative MCA equivalents.
The watch-out
Long underwriting timeline (5-15 days). Application paperwork heavier than fintech competitors. Maximum loan size ($250K) caps mid-market use.
Qualifications
12 months
$4,000+
550+ (more flexible than banks)
Frequently asked questions
- Why are POS-embedded options usually the best fit for QSR working capital?
- Three reasons. (1) Underwriting reads directly from card-and-mobile-order sales velocity, which is the QSR's strongest signal — high ticket counts at consistent averages. (2) No FICO check means owner credit isn't a blocker even if personal credit has past issues. (3) Repayment as a percentage of daily sales scales naturally with the QSR's velocity — a slow Tuesday pays back less than a busy Friday, which materially reduces the daily ACH stress that fixed MCA structures impose. The only QSR scenarios where POS-embedded isn't best fit are full build-outs (SBA wins) and equipment-heavy refreshes (Beacon wins).
- Should I take a fixed-payment MCA against my drive-thru tech refresh?
- Almost never. Drive-thru technology refreshes ($25K-$80K per lane) are equipment purchases that depreciate over 5-7 years and benefit from Section 179. Beacon Funding equipment financing at 10-22% APR with the equipment as collateral is structurally cheaper and tax-advantaged. A $50K MCA at factor 1.35 costs $17,500 in 12 months as daily ACH. The same $50K on a 5-year equipment loan at 14% APR costs roughly $19K total interest spread over 60 months — and the equipment serves as collateral rather than pledging future sales.
- Can a brand-new QSR with under 6 months operating get any funding?
- Yes but options are narrow. Pre-revenue or under 6 months: Kiva microloans ($1K-$15K, 0% interest) or Accion CDFI ($5K-$250K, APR 8.49-24.99%) are the realistic options. Square Capital and Toast Capital both need consistent processing history (typically 3-6 months minimum). Generalist MCA (Credibly, Greenbox) typically needs 6+ months TIB. Live Oak SBA can do pre-opening QSR build-outs but requires 700+ credit, 15-20% down, and a detailed business plan.
- What revenue do I need to qualify for QSR funding?
- Toast Capital / Square Capital: any consistent processing volume, $30K+/mo strongly. Beacon Funding equipment: $20K+/mo, 24+ months operating typical. Accion CDFI: $5K+/mo and operating history. Credibly MCA: $15K+/mo with 6+ months TIB and 550+ credit. Live Oak SBA: $40K+/mo trailing for existing operators with 24+ months operating and 680+ credit, or pre-opening with strong operator background and 700+ credit. Match yourself at /match to compare structures.
Related reading
- Best restaurant funding 2026
- Best franchise restaurant funding 2026
- Best MCA funders for food trucks 2026
- The full 2026 ranking — 100 funders
Methodology
How we chose
Ranking criteria
- Use-case fit — funder must qualify the merchant profile this page targets (credit, time-in-business, revenue, industry).
- Pricing transparency — published factor-rate or APR-equivalent disclosure outweighs marketing-only quotes.
- Speed-to-fund — verified time from signed contract to ACH deposit, not 'as fast as' marketing claims.
- Contract terms — daily/weekly debit structure, prepayment treatment, COJ / personal guarantee posture.
- Customer-experience signals — BBB profile, Trustpilot, ISO chatter, and direct merchant feedback collected via Fundnode applications.
Sources consulted
- Funder-published rate cards, contract templates, and disclosure pages (refreshed quarterly).
- Public regulatory filings — California DFPI commercial-financing disclosures, New York commercial-financing disclosure law filings.
- Direct merchant feedback collected through Fundnode's /qualify funnel (n > 200 since 2026-01).
- ISO desk operator interviews — anonymized commentary on approval patterns and stipulations.
Update cadence
Reviewed quarterly. Last updated 2026-06-24.
Conflict of interest
Fundnode may earn referral fees from funders listed on this page when merchants apply through us. Rankings are editorial and independent of fee economics — funders cannot pay for placement.