Restaurant MCA application documents: (1) one-page business application; (2) 6 most recent consecutive business bank statements (all pages); (3) voided business check. For restaurants using split processing (repayment through card processing), the funder may also request matching POS/card processing statements for the same 6 months. No tax returns, no financial statements, no business plan.
Restaurant Tool
Restaurant Funding Checklist
Check off every item before you apply. * = required. Completing this checklist before applying gives you the best approval odds and strongest offer.
Must have before submitting the initial application. Missing either = automatic delay.
Bank Statements
6 consecutive months of business bank statementsMust be the primary business checking account, not personal, not savings. All pages, front and back where applicable.
PDF or clear photo scan: no handwritten statementsStatements must be bank-generated. Handwritten or edited documents will be rejected immediately.
Requested Later: Not Required to Submit
Voided business checkCollected at signing, for ACH setup, not part of the initial application. Must show routing and account number. Write "VOID" in large letters across the face.
Valid government-issued photo IDDriver's license or passport of the business owner(s) with 20%+ ownership interest. Some capital partners request this during underwriting, not at initial submission.
Business license or DBA registrationAny government-issued document showing your business is legally registered to operate. May be requested depending on advance size.
Sometimes Requested (have ready)
Lease agreement or mortgage statementShows your location is stable. May be requested for applications over $75,000.
Most recent tax return (business)Not always required but can accelerate approval for larger advance requests.
Food service or liquor licenseFor restaurants with liquor service, may be requested as evidence of legal operation.
A restaurant's deposit pattern usually shows real seasonality. A reviewer wants to see the full six months, not just your best weeks.
2
Bank Statement Health Check
Review your statements before you submit. Know what underwriters will see.
Count your NSFs and average daily balance before applying. What you find here predicts your offer better than anything else on this checklist.
Count your NSFs in each of the 6 monthsTarget: 0 NSFs across all 6 months. Acceptable: 1-2/month. Problem: 3+/month. If you have 5+, consider waiting 30-60 days to clean up your account before applying.
Calculate your average daily balanceAdd up all end-of-day balances in each statement and divide by the number of days. Target: $1,500+. Good: $3,000+. Weak: under $500.
Calculate your average monthly depositsAdd total deposits for each of your 6 statement months and divide by 6. This number drives your advance amount. Use the calculator to estimate your offer.
Identify existing MCA paymentsLook for regular daily or weekly ACH debits with names like "Rapid Advance," "Fundbox," "Kabbage," "OnDeck," or similar. Count them. More than 2 is a red flag.
Verify all POS and delivery deposits are in this accountSquare, Toast, Clover, DoorDash, Grubhub, Uber Eats: all payouts should land in this business checking account. Missing deposits reduce your average and your offer.
Check that deposits appear consistently across weeksGaps of 4-5 days with no deposits may raise questions about days closed. If your restaurant is closed Monday-Tuesday, that pattern should be visible and expected; just make sure the rest of the week has consistent deposits.
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Application Timing
When you apply determines the offer you receive. Don't skip this.
Identify your best 6-month deposit windowLook at your last 12 months of statements and find the 6 consecutive months with the highest total deposits. That's your ideal application window. Use the timing guide for specifics.
Confirm your 6-month window isn't entirely your slow seasonFor most restaurants, January/February/March is the slowest stretch. If most of your 6 most recent months fall in that window, either wait until stronger months enter the window or accept a smaller offer.
Confirm your statements from the desired window are readyMost lenders require your most recent 6 consecutive statements; you cannot choose which months to submit. Make sure your current 6-month window is your best.
Have your documents together before you apply: six consecutive business bank statements, all pages, non-redacted.
4
Application Day
Submit early in the day and have everything in one folder.
Complete the one-page application accuratelyLegal business name, DBA name, address, federal EIN, business type, time in business, monthly revenue (use your deposit average), desired funding amount, and purpose of funds.
Have all 6 bank statements in a single PDFMerge your 6 statements into one file if possible. This reduces friction and speeds processing.
Submit early in the business dayApplications received later in the day often roll to next-business-day review. Submit early.
Be available by phone from 10am-4pmUnderwriters may call to verify information. A missed call can delay your review.
Have a clear purpose for the funds"Equipment repair," "payroll coverage," "inventory build for holiday season," "slow season bridge": specific purposes speed approval and improve offer quality.
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After Approval
Review before signing. Understand every number.
Confirm the advance amount, factor rate, and termExample: $40,000 advance at 1.28 factor over 132 business days. Total payback = $51,200. Daily payment = $387.88.
Calculate your monthly payment (daily × 22 days)Make sure this monthly amount is sustainable even during your slowest weeks. Use the calculator to verify.
Identify the ACH debit date and ensure funds are availableACH typically starts 1-2 business days after funding. Ensure your account has enough to cover the first payment before the advance deposits.
Save your funder's contact informationIf you anticipate a slow week or holiday closure, contact your funder 2-3 days in advance. Proactive communication prevents NSFs and maintains your relationship.
After signing, funding timing is set by the funding provider. Watch for the ACH setup confirmation from your funder and verify the correct account and amount are listed before confirming.
Checklist Complete? Apply Now.
One application. 6 consecutive months of bank statements. Review begins as soon as your file is complete.
✓ No obligation✓ Soft pull to start✓ Free to apply✓ Bank declines welcome
500 FICO minimum · $4K-$6K+/month revenue · Funding timing is set by the funding provider after review
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents does a restaurant need to apply for MCA?
Restaurant MCA application documents: (1) one-page business application; (2) 6 most recent consecutive business bank statements (all pages); (3) voided business check. For restaurants using split processing (repayment through card processing), the funder may also request matching POS/card processing statements for the same 6 months. No tax returns, no financial statements, no business plan.
Does a restaurant need a health department inspection certificate to apply for MCA?
No, most MCA funders do not require health department documentation. MCA is approved based on bank deposit history, not operational compliance documents. The business does need to be legally operating and have an active business bank account in the business name.
How long does it take a restaurant to get funded through MCA?
Application takes 10-15 minutes to complete. Review begins once your 6 consecutive months of bank statements and application are submitted, and funding timing after approval is set by the funding provider.
