Industry data
Financing for coffee shops: what the loan data shows
3,409 SBA 7(a) loans went to coffee shops recently, at a median of $284,400. The lenders that make them, the terms they write, and what underwriters look at.
3,409 SBA 7(a) loans went to coffee shops in the most recent fiscal years, at a median of $284,400 over 10 years. 67.0% went to new or under-two-year-old businesses, and the most active lender was The Huntington National Bank.
What a coffee shop loan actually looks like
These are approvals, not advertised ranges. Computed from SBA 7(a) loan-level FOIA data released 2026-06-30.
| Measure | Coffee shops and juice bars | All 7(a) borrowers |
|---|---|---|
| Loans approved, fiscal years 2023 to 2026, using data released June 2026 | 3,409 | 214,102 |
| Median loan | $284,400 | $150,000 |
| 25th - 75th percentile | $75,000 - $502,100 | $50,000 - $500,000 |
| Median term | 10 years | 10 years |
| Median initial rate | 10.00% | 10.25% |
| Share to new businesses | 67.0% | 33.6% |
| Charge-off rate, FY2010-19 | 8.8% | 7.1% |
What stands out
Reading these figures against all 7(a) borrowers:
- Loans here run larger than average. The median of $284,400 is 90% above the $150,000 national median. Expect lenders in this market to be geared toward bigger deals, and expect a small request to get less attention.
- New businesses do well here. 67% of these loans went to startups or businesses under two years old, against 34% nationally — an unusually open market if you have no trading history.
- No single lender dominates, but the top three made 26% of these loans, so the shortlist below covers most of the active market.
What lenders look at in this sector
Two thirds of these loans go to new businesses, which is the highest startup share of any niche here, and the charge-off rate reflects it. Lenders will lean hard on your build-out budget, your lease, and whether you have run one before.
Which lenders actually fund coffee shops
Ranked by loans approved in this niche. The median, startup share and rate describe each lender's own loans to coffee shops, not its national averages — which is how you spot a genuine specialist.
| Lender | Loans | Median loan | Startup share | Median rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Huntington National Bank | 627 | $125,000 | 84% | 10.25% |
| Newtek Bank | 140 | $175,000 | 36% | 11.25% |
| Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company | 122 | $59,000 | 70% | 10.75% |
| First Bank of the Lake | 96 | $529,500 | 97% | 10.25% |
| TD Bank | 93 | $25,000 | 50% | 11.30% |
| U.S. Bank | 91 | $40,000 | 38% | 9.49% |
| KeyBank | 62 | $224,800 | 79% | 10.37% |
| Citizens Bank | 61 | $519,900 | 88% | 10.25% |
| United Community Bank | 59 | $620,000 | 73% | 9.25% |
| Readycap Lending, LLC | 56 | $280,000 | 36% | 11.25% |
Where these businesses borrow
Most active states for coffee shops: Texas (398), California (392), Florida (242), Ohio (157), New York (142), Illinois (128).
Which financing fits
| Product | Fit for this sector | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| SBA 7(a) | The dominant vehicle in this niche | 10.0% - 14.0% APR |
| Equipment financing | For the hard assets, often cheaper separately | 7.0% - 30.0% APR |
| Line of credit | For seasonality and payroll timing | 9.0% - 60.0% APR |
| SBA microloan | If you need under $50,000 | 8.0% - 13.0% APR |
| Business acquisition loan | If you are buying an existing operation | 10.0% - 14.0% APR |
Before you apply
- Check coverage first. Run the payment through the affordability calculator at 1.25x.
- Shortlist from the lender table, favouring ones whose median loan here is close to what you need.
- Assemble the documents — see the checklist.
- If you are buying rather than starting, read business acquisition loans first; the injection rules and diligence are different.