Financing Tennessee hospitality businesses
Restaurant Finance Network, a division of Alternative Finance Network, works with restaurant, bar, brewery, distillery, café, catering and hotel owners across Tennessee. Our focus is operators who have proven a concept and are ready to grow, whether that means a second location in a Nashville suburb, a remodel on Beale Street or a bigger production space for a distillery.
Tennessee’s hospitality economy has its own patterns that lenders pay attention to:
- Tourism engines. Nashville’s music and convention business, Memphis’s music heritage and attractions, Chattanooga’s riverfront and outdoor recreation, and the Great Smoky Mountains region bring large visitor flows, along with event-driven swings. See working capital loans.
- Fast suburban growth. Rutherford, Williamson, Wilson, Sumner and Maury counties around Nashville have grown quickly, creating new retail centers and second-location opportunities. See expansion loans.
- Whiskey and craft beverages. Tennessee whiskey is world famous, and craft distilleries and breweries now operate across the state. See distillery financing and brewery financing.
- College towns and military communities. Knoxville, Murfreesboro, Johnson City and Clarksville follow academic or military calendars that shape restaurant traffic.
- Franchise development. New suburban corridors attract steady franchise openings. See franchise restaurant financing.
Tennessee cities we serve
Every Tennessee city with a population of 40,000 or more, based on U.S. Census Bureau estimates, has its own page with local districts, licensing contacts and the financing local operators use most.
- NashvilleDavidson County
- MemphisShelby County
- KnoxvilleKnox County
- ChattanoogaHamilton County
- ClarksvilleMontgomery County
- MurfreesboroRutherford County
- FranklinWilliamson County
- Johnson CityWashington / Carter / Sullivan County
- JacksonMadison County
- HendersonvilleSumner County
- SmyrnaRutherford County
- Spring HillWilliamson / Maury County
- KingsportSullivan / Hawkins County
- BartlettShelby County
- GallatinSumner County
- LebanonWilson County
- ColliervilleShelby County
- ClevelandBradley County
- ColumbiaMaury County
- BrentwoodWilliamson County
- Mount JulietWilson County
- La VergneRutherford County
- GermantownShelby County
Our most-requested Tennessee markets also have dedicated pages: restaurant loans in Nashville, bar financing in Nashville, restaurant loans in Memphis, bar financing in Memphis, restaurant loans in Knoxville and bar financing in Knoxville.
Tennessee resources for restaurant owners
SBA Tennessee District Office. 2 International Plaza Dr., Suite 500, Nashville, TN 37217, phone 615-736-5881 (by appointment). The SBA also has a Memphis virtual office (901-494-6906) serving Shelby County and nine other West Tennessee counties. See SBA loans for how 7(a) and 504 work for restaurants.
Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC). Centers across the state provide free advising on business plans, financial projections and loan readiness.
Liquor licensing. The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) issues liquor-by-the-drink licenses for restaurants and bars. Beer permits come from the local beer board in your city or county, and local rules on hours, distances and permit types vary. A second location in a new city may mean a different local process, so build it into your timeline.
Community lenders. Tennessee CDFIs such as Pathway Lending, based in Nashville, work with small businesses that may not fit a bank’s criteria. Program details change, so check directly with the lender.
Industry association. The Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association represents restaurants, lodging and tourism businesses across the state.
How we work with Tennessee owners
- You complete our short application and upload three months of business bank statements.
- Scott Jordan reviews the file and identifies lenders whose current programs fit your business and goal.
- We tell you what each lender needs, collect it once and submit.
- You compare offers side by side, with total cost and payments laid out plainly.
We are a broker, not a lender, and every approval depends on the lender’s decision. See our broker disclosure.
Questions owners ask
Which Tennessee cities do you serve?
We work with hospitality businesses anywhere in Tennessee. Our city pages cover every Tennessee city with 40,000 or more residents, including Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Clarksville and Murfreesboro, down to Brentwood, Mount Juliet, La Vergne and Germantown. If your business is in a smaller town or a tourist area like the Smokies, apply and we will help.
Who licenses liquor in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission issues liquor-by-the-drink licenses for restaurants, bars and other venues. Beer permits are issued separately by local beer boards in each city or county, and local rules vary. Buying a bar or opening a new location usually involves both the state commission and the local beer board.
Where is the SBA office for Tennessee?
The SBA Tennessee District Office is at 2 International Plaza Dr., Suite 500, in Nashville, phone 615-736-5881, by appointment. A Memphis virtual office at 901-494-6906 covers Shelby County and nine other West Tennessee counties. The SBA guarantees loans made by approved lenders, so the loan itself comes from a bank or other SBA lender.
What state resources help Tennessee restaurants?
The Tennessee Small Business Development Center offers free advising on business plans and loan readiness. Community lenders such as Pathway Lending serve businesses that may not fit bank criteria. The Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association supports the industry. We can help you decide whether a community lender, SBA lender or private lender fits your goal.