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Get Up To $1,000,000to Open Your Restaurant

Trusted by restaurant owners Canada-wide to secure funding through the Canadian Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP).

Opening a Restaurant Is Hard Enough Without Funding Stress

Securing funding from Canadian banks is complicated, confusing, and exhausting. Banks say no to most restaurant loan applications because of unclear financial projections and weak business plans.

Without proper funding, you risk:

We make getting your restaurant loan simple and stress-free

Based in Toronto and working with restaurant owners across Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and beyond – we specialize in building professional, bank-ready business plans and financial projections tailored for the Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP).

 

Whether you’re launching a new spot in Vancouver, expanding a concept in Calgary, or opening your first restaurant in the Greater Toronto Area, we manage the entire CSBFP loan process – so you can open your doors faster, easier, and stress-free.

Why Restaurant Owners Work With Us + Refer Us

    Includes:

    • Market research
    • Financial model
    • Executive summary
    • And equipment breakdown banks need
    • From all paperwork to projections, we manage the application process from start to finish – leaving you free to build, hire, plan, and open with confidence
    • You only pay our success fee if we get you funded
    • Live chat widget
    • Email marketing
    • Custom Forms
    • Traffic analytics
    $250/ year
    • Everything in basic
    • Marketing automation
    • Advanced chatbot
    • Campaign management
    • Collaboration tools
    $500/ year
    • Everything in premium
    • A/B testing sanbox
    • Custom permissions
    • Social media automation
    • Sales automation tools

    How It Works

    Quick Fit Check

    We start with a short consultation to see if you qualify for the Canadian Small Business Financing Program. If you’re opening or expanding a restaurant in Canada, there’s a good chance you do.

    01

    Business Plan & Financials

    We handle your entire application package – from crafting a compelling business plan to building bank-ready financial projections, use-of-funds breakdown, and lender documents.

    02

    Lender Submission

    We work with your preferred bank or connect you to a lender we trust. We’ll help you prep, polish, and push your application through.

    03

    Get Funded. Build Your Dream.

    Most clients secure between $200,000 and $500,000 in funding. With financing approved, you can finally focus on what matters: opening your doors.

    04

    What Does It Cost?

    To get started, we charge a small upfront working fee – typically around $2,000–$3,500 depending on the size and complexity of your application – just enough to cover the time it takes to handle the early legwork.

    Once you’re approved and funded, there’s a success fee based on the loan amount that scale with the funding you receive. We’ll walk through everything before we begin – no surprises.

    And the good news? Both fees can come directly out of your loan, so there’s no need to pay out of pocket.

    We’ll also help you negotiate the best rate possible with your lender – which can save you thousands over the life of your loan. Think of us as your partner in getting funded and getting a better deal.

    No surprises. No fine print. Just smart support from day one.

    05

    Everything You Need for a Winning Loan Application

    • Professionally Written Business Plan (20–30 pages, bank-ready)
    • 3-Year Financial Forecast (with assumptions & formatting)
    • Executive Summary (pitched in lender-friendly language)
    • Market Research (local competition, industry trends)
    • Use of Funds Statement (equipment, leaseholds, working capital)
    • Loan Application Prep (with your preferred lender)
    • CSBFP Program Compliance Check
    • Revisions & Edits
    • Liaison Support (we can communicate with your bank directly)
    • Personalized Funding Strategy (not cookie-cutter)
    • Optional: Help finding a lender if you don’t have one
    • 1-on-1 Support Call with Our Strategy Team

    I had no idea where to start with the loan process. SweetSauce not only guided me—they basically did it all. We got $325K in funding for our first sushi spot. Couldn’t have done it without them.

    Kevin LSushi Bar Owner, Toronto

    We were sitting on a lease with no buildout cash. These guys put together a killer business plan, talked to our bank directly, and we walked away with $470,000. Legit lifesavers.

    Maria & GioHamilton, ON – Italian Trattoria

    I didn’t even know this type of financing existed. SweetSauce made the process totally painless. I had the money in my account in under 4 weeks.

    Brandon K.Calgary, AB – Ghost Kitchen Operator

    I Speak Fluent Restaurant - and Finance

    From boardrooms to buildouts, I’ve helped brands get funded, sold, and started. Now I help restaurant entrepreneurs do the same - without the guesswork.

    Hi, my name’s Adam Gilbert. I’ve spent years in the restaurant world – not just behind the brand, but behind the numbers too. I was VP of Marketing at Pickle Barrel, one of Canada’s most recognized restaurant groups, where I also helped secure a $4 million revolving line of credit and supported the successful sale of the company to Recipe Unlimited, Canada’s largest full-service restaurant operator.

    These days, I run Sweet Sauce Hospitality Consulting, where we work with restaurants to build smarter businesses, stronger brands, and better margins.

    Along the way, I’ve gotten really good at helping people get funded – especially through the Canadian Small Business Financing Program. I know what banks want, what lenders need, and how to structure a business plan that doesn’t just look good – it gets funded.

    Yes, I like spreadsheets. (There, I said it.)

    I also believe the best business plans are a form of storytelling – they help someone believe in a version of the future worth funding.

    I’m also building something of my own – I’m the founder of SweetChops, a fast-casual restaurant concept, and I’m currently developing a second brand. Because we don’t just consult from the sidelines – we’re in it, too.

    I believe great restaurants deserve great funding – and that a strong business plan is more than numbers. It’s a story of what’s possible.

    Let’s help you tell yours and get you funded.

    Restaurant Loan FAQs – Straight Answers, No Jargon

    How much funding can I get?

    Most restaurant owners we work with qualify for between $200,000 and $500,000 through the CSBFP. The final amount depends on your leasehold, equipment, and working capital needs.

    What is the Canadian Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP)?

    The Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP) is a federal government-backed loan program that helps small businesses access financing through banks and credit unions. It’s designed to reduce risk for lenders by guaranteeing up to 85% of the loan, making it easier for small businesses — especially restaurants — to get approved.

    You can use a CSBFP loan to finance things like:

    • Leasehold improvements (e.g., building your kitchen or dining room)

    • Equipment (ovens, fryers, POS systems)

    • Furniture and fixtures

    • Working capital costs

     

    To qualify, you must be a for-profit Canadian business with under $10 million in annual revenue.

    🔗 Learn more on the Government of Canada’s official site

    How long does the process take?

    Typically 3–6 weeks from the day we start to the day funds are released. That includes time to prepare your plan, get bank feedback, and finalize approval. We’ve built strong relationships with banks and credit unions that help us speed things up.

    Do I qualify for this program?

    If you’re a Canadian for-profit business generating under $10M in revenue (or pre-revenue) and are opening or growing a restaurant, you likely qualify. We’ll assess this in your free funding consultation.

    Do you guarantee I’ll get approved?

    No one can guarantee approval—but we dramatically increase your chances by preparing a flawless application. Most clients who work with us and follow our strategy get funded.

    What’s included in your service?

    A full business plan, financial forecast, use-of-funds breakdown, lender liaison, and ongoing support through the process. Everything you need for a winning CSBFP application.

    Can you help even if I don’t have a bank yet?

    Yes – we can recommend a participating CSBFP lender based on your situation and location.

    What can I use the loan to finance?

    ✔️ You can use a CSBFP  term loan  to finance:

    • Purchase or improvement of land or buildings used for commercial purposes (e.g. building out a restaurant or café)

    • New or used equipment (e.g. kitchen equipment, bar fridges, ovens, POS systems)

    • New or existing leasehold improvements (e.g. interior renovations to a leased restaurant space)

    • Intangible assets and working capital costs (e.g. franchise fees, inventory, staffing for launch)

     

    Examples for hospitality businesses include:

    • Restaurant or hotel equipment

    • Commercial kitchen or delivery vehicles

    • Technology like POS systems or reservation software

    • Buildout costs for a new dining room, bar, or prep kitchen

    • Buying into a franchise model

     

    ✔️ You can also use a line of credit  to cover:

    • Day-to-day operating costs like payroll, food inventory, utilities, or short-term expenses

    What are interest rates?

    For term loans, the interest rates are determined by your financial institution and may be floating or fixed.

    Floating: The maximum chargeable is the lender’s prime lending rate plus 3%
    Fixed: The maximum chargeable is the lender’s single family residential mortgage rate for the term of the loan plus 3%.

    For lines of credit, the maximum chargeable is the lender’s prime lending rate plus 5%

    Can I get a restaurant loan in Toronto through your service?

    Absolutely. We’re based in Toronto and specialize in helping local restaurants access CSBFP funding. Whether you’re opening a new spot or renovating an existing one, we know how to make your application bank-ready.

    I’m in British Columbia. Can you still help me with a CSBFP loan?

    Yes. We work with restaurants in Vancouver and across B.C. The process is remote-friendly, and we handle all the paperwork so you don’t have to.

    What if my restaurant is in Alberta?

    No problem – we’ve helped clients in Calgary and Edmonton too. The CSBFP is available nationwide, and we tailor each loan application to your local market and lender.

    Do I need to already have a lease signed?

    Yes. One of the key requirements of the CSBFP is that you have a lease in place or a location secured. Once that’s locked down, we can move fast to build your business plan and submit your application. If you don’t have a lease signed we work with some of the best restaurant real estate brokers and can help you with that as well.

    Let’s Get You Funded

    Your Restaurant Dream Deserves the Right Start