How to finance the opening of your restaurant?

As always, financing is the key to success; without it, you won’t be able to carry out your projects. That’s why we’re offering you several financing options to help you realize your dream of opening your own business.

Need help building your wine list? Les Grappes is here to assist you.

The bank loan

When applying for a loan from a bank, your business plan will be your best asset. You’ll need to provide solid collateral and demonstrate the profitability of your future restaurant. The more innovative your business concept is, the less hesitant banks will be. It’s also important to know that banks appreciate it when one of the partners comes from the restaurant industry or has training in the field. This gives you more credibility.

Crowdfunding

It can take the form of a peer-to-peer loan (with or without interest), an equity investment, or a donation. Crowdfunding platforms such as Ulule, October, or KissKissBankBank offer different investment tiers. This allows you to set rewards based on these tiers. We also recommend checking out the MiiMOSA platform, the first crowdfunding site dedicated to agriculture and food.

Love Money

This refers to funds contributed by your friends and family, who in return become shareholders. Generally, the goal of this investment is driven more by emotional ties than by a desire to make a profit. Love money can be used when raising initial capital or during a capital increase. In the first case, it can lend credibility when presenting the project to potential investors outside your immediate circle. Indeed, it shows that you have already succeeded in convincing others of your project’s soundness and that people believe in you.

Grants and Subsidies

Government agencies can assist you in setting up your restaurant. These include: Nacre, Arce, and Cape. You can find all the information regarding eligibility on the AFE Création website.

The Partners

There is also the option of forming a partnership. This allows both parties to share the investment costs. If you choose this option, be sure to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved.

Tips from Les Grappes: To finance your equipment, you can opt for leasing. This allows you to use restaurant equipment without owning it.

Need Assistance?

Les Grappes, France’s leading distributor of wines sold directly from winemakers to professionals, makes it easy to buy wine directly from winemakers. Les Grappes centralizes orders from more than 1,200 winemakers who harvest their own grapes, providing a single point of contact from order placement to invoicing. We assist cafés, hotels, restaurants, and wine cellars in selecting wines, as well as in creating custom wine lists! Based on your project, your tastes, and your budget, we help you choose the best wines through direct-from-producer channels. To get in touch with our team, click here!