Aurora’s restaurant scene splits into two very different markets: established, often family-run kitchens along Havana Street and East Colfax, and new construction rising near E-470, Southlands and The Aurora Highlands. Each calls for a different kind of restaurant loan. This page focuses on those needs; our Aurora city page covers the city’s wider economy.
Aurora’s restaurant market in context
Aurora’s population is split mainly between Arapahoe and Adams counties, with a small piece in Douglas County. The Census Bureau’s 2023 County Business Patterns counted 1,278 restaurants and other eating places with paid employees in Arapahoe County (NAICS 7225), 514 of them full-service, and 775 in Adams County. Those county totals include neighboring cities, but they show a large, competitive field.
Havana Street is the city’s signature dining corridor, promoted by its business improvement district for the range of international cuisines found along a few miles of road. Many of those restaurants occupy older strip-center units where the kitchen, finishes or signage are due for an update. At the other end of the spectrum, Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center near E-470 brings convention guests, and The Aurora Highlands, a large master-planned community near Denver International Airport, is bringing new households to the far east side.
Common Aurora restaurant financing needs
Refreshing an older space. Updating a Havana Street dining room, replacing a worn kitchen line or adding a hood can be covered by construction and renovation loans, a term loan, or restaurant equipment financing for the equipment portion.
Buying out a retiring owner. Family restaurants change hands, and SBA loans are a common way to finance an acquisition with longer repayment terms.
Ground-up and first-generation builds. New pads near E-470 or in the airport area need site plans, construction budgets and more owner equity. Lenders may fund in stages as work is completed.
Following growth. Franchisees and multi-unit operators chasing new rooftops can look at franchise restaurant financing and expansion loans.
Other options
- Working capital loans for opening inventory, hiring and marketing.
- A business line of credit for slower months between convention and holiday rushes.
- Startup restaurant loans for experienced cooks and managers opening a first restaurant.
What lenders will ask for
The application asks for your business type, time in business, monthly revenue, amount needed, use of funds, timeline and number of locations. After that, you upload three recent months of business bank statements. For remodels and new builds, contractor bids, the lease or purchase agreement and a project budget will come up next.
Permits and local resources
For Arapahoe County addresses, Arapahoe County Public Health requires a retail food plan review before a food establishment is built or substantially remodeled; Adams County addresses go through the Adams County Health Department. Building permits come from the City of Aurora. Liquor licenses start with Aurora’s Tax and Licensing Division and Local Licensing Authority, then the Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division. The Aurora-South Metro SBDC at the Aurora Municipal Center offers free advising.
Questions owners ask
How do I finance a restaurant in Aurora?
It depends on the project. Remodels of existing restaurants often use renovation or term loans plus equipment financing, acquisitions commonly use SBA loans, and new builds near E-470 need construction-style financing with a detailed budget. Lenders review your deposits, credit, experience and the project costs. A broker can compare several approaches from one application.
What does an Aurora restaurant build-out need permitted?
You will need a City of Aurora building permit, a retail food plan review from the county health department that covers your address, and a certificate of occupancy before opening. Waiting for plan approval before construction starts avoids costly rework. If you will serve alcohol, add a local and state liquor license.
Can I get an SBA loan for an Aurora restaurant?
Yes. SBA 7(a) loans are widely used for restaurant acquisitions, remodels and working capital, and SBA 504 loans can help buy a building or major equipment. Approved lenders make the decision and set terms. Plan on providing financial statements, tax returns, a business plan for new projects and details on how the money will be used.
More Aurora and Colorado resources
See bar financing in Aurora, return to the Colorado hub, or compare restaurant loans in Colorado Springs. Ready to see options? Check what you qualify for.