Can I get a food truck business loan with bad credit?

SBG Funding requires a minimum FICO score of 500. Credit score is one factor among many — strong revenue, consistent bank deposits, and time in business can all support your application. Many food truck operators with credit challenges qualify based on their deposit history and route consistency.

How quickly can I get funded?

After approval and document submission, funds can be available in as little as 24 hours. The online application takes about 5 minutes, and most applicants receive a decision the same business day.

Do I need collateral for a food truck business loan?

No. SBG Funding's working capital and term loan products are unsecured. Equipment financing for the truck itself uses the vehicle as collateral — which is standard and typically results in better terms — but no additional personal assets are required.

Can I use a food truck loan to buy my first truck?

Yes. Equipment financing is the most common structure for purchasing a food truck — new, used, or custom-built. Terms run up to 60 months, the vehicle serves as its own collateral, and same-day approval means you can move on a truck as soon as you find the right one.

Can I finance a custom food truck build-out?

Yes. Custom builds — where a bare vehicle chassis is converted into a fully equipped mobile kitchen — are eligible for equipment financing. The completed vehicle serves as collateral. Build timelines vary; contact us to discuss timing the funding disbursement to your builder's schedule.

My revenue is mostly cash — will that affect my application?

We evaluate bank statement deposits, not revenue type. As long as your cash sales are deposited into your business bank account consistently, they count toward your revenue picture. We look at the pattern and consistency of deposits across 4 months of statements, not the source of each transaction.

Can I get financing to cover commissary fees and permits?

Yes. Commissary agreements, health department permits, business licenses, and fire inspection fees are operating expenses eligible for a working capital loan or business line of credit. These costs are predictable and recurring — a short-term loan is a clean way to cover them without disrupting your ingredient inventory budget.

Can I use this to buy a second food truck?

Yes. A second truck is the most common growth use case for food truck financing. Equipment financing covers the vehicle, and your existing route revenue demonstrates the capacity to service the additional payment. Most operators find the second truck pays for itself within 6 to 12 months of adding catering and event bookings.

I want to transition into a brick-and-mortar restaurant — can SBG help?

Yes. Transitioning from a truck to a permanent location is a natural growth path, and SBA 7(a) financing is built for it. You have a proven concept, an existing customer base, and documented revenue — which is exactly what the SBA program is designed to fund. Terms run up to 25 years for real estate or up to 10 years for leasehold improvements and equipment.

How is SBG Funding different from a bank?

The primary differences are speed, flexibility, and qualification criteria. Banks typically require 2–8 weeks for approval, collateral, a hard credit pull, and often a FICO score above 680. SBG Funding makes same-day decisions, requires no collateral, performs no hard credit inquiry, and accepts FICO scores of 500+. We evaluate more than 50 factors — including your revenue history and deposit patterns — rather than relying primarily on credit score.

How much can a food truck business borrow?

SBG Funding offers food truck business loans from $5,000 to $1,000,000. Working capital amounts are based on monthly revenue — a food truck averaging $20,000 per month in deposits would typically qualify for $20,000–$40,000. Equipment financing for a truck is sized to the vehicle's purchase price, independent of the working capital formula.

I operate at festivals and events rather than a fixed route — do I qualify?

Yes. Event-based and festival-circuit operators qualify under the same criteria as fixed-route trucks. What matters is your trailing deposit history — consistent incoming revenue from event payments, catering invoices, and daily sales all count. Event operators often have strong seasonal revenue spikes that support solid approval outcomes.

Food Truck Business Loans

The truck is the business. Financing it shouldn’t be harder than running it.

Get $5,000–$1,000,000 to buy your truck, cover permits and commissary costs, and fund your next location — funded in as little as 24 hours.

No collateral required
No hard credit pull
Decision same business day

See what you qualify for

Apply in 5 minutes. Won’t affect your credit score.

Apply Now →

85% approval rate · 10,000+ businesses funded · 4.9★ Trustpilot

10,000+

businesses funded

$5K–$1M

available funding

85%

approval rate

4.9★

Trustpilot rating

Food Truck Financing Options at a Glance

Food truck businesses are capital-intensive from day one — the vehicle, the build-out, the commissary agreement, permits, and initial inventory all require upfront investment before a single meal is sold. As the business scales, adding trucks and entering catering or event contracts creates recurring capital needs. The products below cover both phases.

Loan Type	Best For	Repayment Term	Min. Credit Score
Business Term Loan	Purchasing a truck, kitchen build-out, and initial operating capital	6-48 months	500
Business Line of Credit	Food inventory, commissary fees, and event supply costs	Revolving	500
Equipment Financing	The truck itself, generators, and commercial kitchen equipment	2-5 years	500
SBA 7(a) Loan	Multi-truck expansion or transitioning into a brick-and-mortar location	10-25 years	500
Working Capital Loan	Slow-season operating costs and permit renewal cycles	3-24 months	500

All products subject to approval. Rates and terms vary based on your business profile.

How Food Truck Business Financing Works

A food truck business has two distinct capital phases. The first is launch — acquiring and equipping the vehicle, securing commissary space, obtaining health permits and business licenses, and funding the first weeks of ingredient inventory before revenue stabilizes. The second is growth — adding a second truck, entering catering and private event contracts, or transitioning into a brick-and-mortar location. Both phases require capital that arrives before the revenue it generates, and both are poorly served by traditional bank lending timelines.

Think about what that looks like in practice: You’ve been operating one truck for two years. You’re averaging $22,000 per month, you have a strong regular lunch route, and you’ve been turning down private event bookings because one truck can’t cover them simultaneously with your daily stops. A second used truck — equipped and permitted — will cost $65,000. Your commissary is raising rates next month, your annual permit renewals are due, and your current balance covers operations but not the truck purchase. The business case for the second truck is clear. The capital gap between today and the day it generates revenue is the problem.

SBG Funding closes that gap directly. Equipment financing covers the truck itself with terms up to 60 months — the vehicle serves as its own collateral, no additional assets required. A business line of credit handles the rolling costs of commissary fees, ingredient inventory, and event supplies without tying up working capital in a fixed-term balance. For operators transitioning into a permanent location or expanding to three or more trucks, SBA 7(a) financing provides long-term capital at favorable rates. SBG Funding approves food truck businesses at an 85% rate with same-day decisions.

Our working capital products are unsecured — no personal guarantee on your home or savings required beyond the equipment itself in equipment financing scenarios. We never perform a hard credit pull. Applications take about 5 minutes, and most food truck operators receive a decision the same business day.

Why Food Truck Operators Choose SBG Funding Over a Bank

Traditional banks don’t have a lending template for food trucks. The business doesn’t have real estate, the revenue is cash-heavy and difficult to document through standard channels, and the collateral is a depreciating vehicle. Most food truck operators get declined before an underwriter even reviews the application.

SBG Funding

Same-day application decision
No collateral required
No hard credit pull — ever
500+ FICO accepted
Revenue-based approval — 50+ factors reviewed
$5,000–$1,000,000 available

Traditional Bank

2–8 week approval process
Collateral often required
Hard credit inquiry on application
Typically requires 680+ FICO
Tax returns, business plan, audited financials required
Often $50,000+ minimum loan size

See If You Qualify →

Food Truck Financing for Every Situation

Whether you’re buying your first truck, adding a second, or bridging a slow season, the right financing depends on where your business is right now.

Buying or Upgrading Your Truck

The truck is your kitchen, your storefront, and your entire operation in one asset. Equipment financing covers the vehicle purchase with terms up to 60 months — new or used, custom-built or pre-equipped. The truck serves as its own collateral, keeping your personal assets out of the equation.

Upgrading or Replacing Equipment

Private events, corporate catering, and festival bookings generate your highest per-hour revenue — but accepting them at scale requires a second truck. A business term loan or equipment financing covers the second vehicle so you can say yes to the bookings you’re currently turning away.

Expanding Your Operation

Winter slowdowns, annual permit renewals, and commissary cost increases all arrive on their own schedule regardless of your revenue. A working capital loan or business line of credit covers fixed costs during low-revenue stretches so you enter your next busy season fully operational.

What Food Truck Operators Use Business Loans For

Food truck financing is flexible. Here are the most common ways operators put it to work.

Truck Purchase or Upgrade

Buy a new or used truck, finance a custom build-out, or upgrade an existing vehicle’s kitchen equipment. Equipment financing covers the full vehicle with terms up to 60 months and no additional collateral required.

Kitchen Equipment & Generator

Commercial fryers, griddles, refrigeration units, and generators are major capital items that determine what your menu can offer. Finance individual pieces or the full kitchen package through equipment financing.

Permits, Licenses & Commissary

Health permits, business licenses, fire inspection fees, and commissary agreements are non-negotiable operating costs that arrive annually. A working capital loan covers these lump-sum expenses without disrupting your ingredient inventory budget.

Food & Ingredient Inventory

Stocking up for a busy weekend, a festival run, or a large catering event requires more inventory than your daily operating balance typically holds. A business line of credit covers inventory purchases and repays as event revenue clears.

Second Truck or New Territory

A second truck opens new routes, new events, and new revenue streams simultaneously. A business term loan or equipment financing covers the vehicle — and your existing route revenue demonstrates the ability to service both.

Brick-and-Mortar Transition

Many successful food truck operators eventually open a permanent location. SBA 7(a) financing provides the long-term capital for leasehold improvements, equipment, and opening float — at terms that match the timeline of building a restaurant from a proven concept.

All You Need to Qualify

$250K+

annual revenue

500+

min. FICO score

months in business

bank statements

No collateral. No hard credit pull. No upfront fees.

SBG Funding evaluates more than 50 factors when making lending decisions — including revenue history, deposit consistency, and time in business. Food truck operators with strong cash flow may qualify even with an imperfect credit score or cash-heavy revenue patterns.

Apply in 5 Minutes →

What Food Truck Operators Are Saying

Real operators. Real results.

★★★★★

“The process was simple and very fast. The funds were deposited into my account in less than 48 hours. Communication and customer service were great! I would definitely recommend this company if you are in need of funds fast!”

Tay S. from Florida

via Trustpilot

★★★★★

“I have never had a faster, smoother, and quite honestly more enjoyable experience seeking funds for my business. I have been in business over 10 years now and have had multiple ups and downs including the pandemic. SBG, and Brett specifically, was attentive, FAST, and super respectful of my needs and future goals. Never once did I feel like I was being “hustled”, and I am glad I have him in my circle now!”

Nickie Q. from California

via Google Reviews

Just 3 Steps to Get Funded

Apply Online

Complete our quick online application in about 5 minutes. Basic information about your business and financing needs — no lengthy paperwork to get started.

Get Your Options

Our team reviews your application and presents loan options matched to your business profile. We look at revenue, deposit history, and time in business — not just your credit score.

Receive Your Funds

Once approved and documents are signed, funds can be in your business bank account in as little as 24 hours.

Apply for a Food Truck Business Loan →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a food truck business loan with bad credit?

SBG Funding requires a minimum FICO score of 500. Credit score is one factor among many — strong revenue, consistent bank deposits, and time in business can all support your application. Many food truck operators with credit challenges qualify based on their deposit history and route consistency.

How quickly can I get funded?

After approval and document submission, funds can be available in as little as 24 hours. The online application takes about 5 minutes, and most applicants receive a decision the same business day.

Do I need collateral for a food truck business loan?

No. SBG Funding’s working capital and term loan products are unsecured. Equipment financing for the truck itself uses the vehicle as collateral — which is standard and typically results in better terms — but no additional personal assets are required.

Can I use a food truck loan to buy my first truck?

Yes. Equipment financing is the most common structure for purchasing a food truck — new, used, or custom-built. Terms run up to 60 months, the vehicle serves as its own collateral, and same-day approval means you can move on a truck as soon as you find the right one.

Can I finance a custom food truck build-out?

Yes. Custom builds — where a bare vehicle chassis is converted into a fully equipped mobile kitchen — are eligible for equipment financing. The completed vehicle serves as collateral. Build timelines vary; contact us to discuss timing the funding disbursement to your builder’s schedule.

My revenue is mostly cash — will that affect my application?

We evaluate bank statement deposits, not revenue type. As long as your cash sales are deposited into your business bank account consistently, they count toward your revenue picture. We look at the pattern and consistency of deposits across 4 months of statements, not the source of each transaction.

Can I get financing to cover commissary fees and permits?

Yes. Commissary agreements, health department permits, business licenses, and fire inspection fees are operating expenses eligible for a working capital loan or business line of credit. These costs are predictable and recurring — a short-term loan is a clean way to cover them without disrupting your ingredient inventory budget.

Can I use this to buy a second food truck?

Yes. A second truck is the most common growth use case for food truck financing. Equipment financing covers the vehicle, and your existing route revenue demonstrates the capacity to service the additional payment. Most operators find the second truck pays for itself within 6 to 12 months of adding catering and event bookings.

I want to transition into a brick-and-mortar restaurant — can SBG help?

Yes. Transitioning from a truck to a permanent location is a natural growth path, and SBA 7(a) financing is built for it. You have a proven concept, an existing customer base, and documented revenue — which is exactly what the SBA program is designed to fund. Terms run up to 25 years for real estate or up to 10 years for leasehold improvements and equipment.

How is SBG Funding different from a bank?

The primary differences are speed, flexibility, and qualification criteria. Banks typically require 2–8 weeks for approval, collateral, a hard credit pull, and often a FICO score above 680. SBG Funding makes same-day decisions, requires no collateral, performs no hard credit inquiry, and accepts FICO scores of 500+. We evaluate more than 50 factors — including your revenue history and deposit patterns — rather than relying primarily on credit score.

How much can a food truck business borrow?

SBG Funding offers food truck business loans from $5,000 to $1,000,000. Working capital amounts are based on monthly revenue — a food truck averaging $20,000 per month in deposits would typically qualify for $20,000–$40,000. Equipment financing for a truck is sized to the vehicle’s purchase price, independent of the working capital formula.

I operate at festivals and events rather than a fixed route — do I qualify?

Yes. Event-based and festival-circuit operators qualify under the same criteria as fixed-route trucks. What matters is your trailing deposit history — consistent incoming revenue from event payments, catering invoices, and daily sales all count. Event operators often have strong seasonal revenue spikes that support solid approval outcomes.

Ready to Grow Your Food Truck Business?

Whether you need capital to buy a truck, add a second, or cover the costs of your next busy season — SBG Funding has food truck operators funded in 24 hours. Apply online in minutes — no collateral, no hard credit pull, no obligation.