Funding for Miami Restaurants & Food Service

Miami, FL market snapshot

Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts + BLS QCEW (Miami-Dade County)

The Miami restaurant cycle isn't the national cycle

Most US restaurant markets run a summer-peak, January-trough pattern. Miami runs the inverse. The high season is December through April — driven by snowbird residency, Art Basel, the cruise season, Latin and Caribbean tourism flows, and the conference circuit. Deposits in February for a strong Brickell or South Beach operator can run 60 to 80% above the August floor. August through October is the slow stretch, with hurricane risk overlaid.

For an operator, that cycle creates a specific working-capital shape. Build inventory and staff in November ahead of the season, ride the peak through April, then carry fixed costs (rent, insurance, base labor) through a summer when revenue can drop by a third. Most national MCA funders price as if every restaurant has the same Q4 peak. Funders who actually trade Miami paper price for the inverted curve and don't penalize a soft August.

How a merchant cash advance fits a Miami restaurant

A merchant cash advance is structured as the purchase of a portion of your future business deposits at a factor rate between 1.15 and 1.45. Repayment runs as a small daily or weekly ACH debit (or in some cases a percentage of card batches via a "lockbox" structure) until the total is satisfied. Typically six to twelve months for a $30K–$150K position. No balloon, no prepayment penalty — most funders offer a discount on early payoff.

Two features matter for restaurants. The structure has no fixed payment clock — busy weeks during the December–April peak pay down faster, slower August weeks pay less. And the underwriting is built on bank deposits, not tax returns, so the consistency of the tourist-season pattern qualifies you rather than disqualifies you.

Florida § 559.9611 — what the law requires and what we do

Florida's Commercial Financing Disclosure Law took effect in 2024 and applies to any commercial financing transaction $500K or under offered to a Florida business. It requires the provider — for MCAs, the funder — to deliver a single-page disclosure before you sign, listing: total funds provided, total dollar cost, term or estimated term, payment amount and frequency, estimated APR, prepayment policy, and a description of any collateral or guarantees.

Every offer we route to a Miami merchant carries that disclosure. We won't send you a quote from a funder who isn't compliant with § 559.9611, because the offer is unenforceable on its face and because it's a tell about how the rest of the relationship will go. Florida brokers and lead generators have separate registration requirements as well, which we comply with.

Typical Miami restaurant deal sizes

A single-location independent restaurant pulling $80K–$160K/month in deposits (the meat of the Wynwood, Edgewater, Little Havana, and Allapattah independent scene) typically qualifies for $50K–$120K at a 1.25–1.35 factor over seven to ten months. Common use: pre-season inventory and staff ramp in October–November, equipment replacement (walk-in compressor, hood system, line equipment), or covering a slow August without dipping into operating reserves.

A multi-location group or larger concept pulling $300K–$700K/month — common in the Brickell, South Beach, Coral Gables, and Design District segments — can step into $200K–$500K positions at 1.18–1.28 factors. Most common use: build-out deposits for a second or third location, kitchen renovation between seasons, or bridging a delayed liquor license renewal that's blocking a planned spring opening.

What we look at

Six or more months in business under the current ownership entity.

Twenty thousand dollars per month minimum in business deposits — most established Miami operators clear this by several multiples in season.

A 500 FICO floor on the guarantor. For restaurants, deposit consistency and card-batch history weigh heavier than the credit bureau number.

A US business bank account with four months of statements showing daily card-settlement deposits. No tax returns, no P&L decks, no projections — the merchant processing statements and the bank statements are the file.

Why Commera

Commera is a broker, not a lender. Your file goes to a panel of MCA funders who price South Florida restaurant paper specifically — not just generic national restaurant files. The factor spread between funders on the same Miami restaurant file routinely runs 15–20 points. On a $100K advance, that's a $15K–$20K difference in total payback.

We don't charge applicants. We're paid by the funder when a deal closes. If your file fits better as equipment financing for the hood replacement or as an SBA conversation for the second location buildout, we'll say so.

What you'll need to apply

• Four months of business bank statements (PDFs from the bank's portal — not screenshots)
• Driver's license, front and back
• Voided business check from the operating account
• EIN (sole proprietors enter SSN where prompted)

About 5 minutes for pre-qual. Full underwriting takes another 6 minutes after that.

Common questions from Miami, FL owners

Other Miami, FL resources for small business owners

Free local programs worth knowing about. We're not affiliated — these are independent counsel for owners exploring options beyond MCA.

• Florida SBDC at FIU (Miami)
• SBA South Florida District Office (Miami)
• Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce
• Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association — Miami chapter