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Food and Grocery Store Business Loans

  • chBorrow up to $500K for your business
  • chRates from 7% APR. Apply Online
  • chGet offers from Top Business Lenders in Canada
up Last updated

June 10, 2025

up Written by:

Amy Orr

up Reviewed by:

Jenna West

There is definitely no shortage of food and grocery stores in Canada. Today the food industry is being disrupted rapidly as people are becoming more conscious of what they are consuming. What this means is that for existing food and grocery stores there are a number of costs arising. Not only that but there is a unique opportunity at hand for those who aim to build new food and grocery stores. These businesses are able to tap into a food and grocery business loans in order to maximize their value to the community.

These loans are popularly utilized for taking care of expenses and whats even better is that through Smarter Loans, it’s never been easier to get approved and processed. Obtain a food and grocery store business loan entirely online without the hassle of delays or paperwork. Okay so once you’re determined that a food and grocery store business loan is suitable for you, how do you get started? Access a directory below which includes all of the provi

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AMOUNT
$5K - $500k
INTEREST RATE
Varies
TERMS
6 -12 Months
AMOUNT
$10K - $1.5M
INTEREST RATE
From 7.99%
TERMS
3 - 24 Months
AMOUNT
$5K - $500K
INTEREST RATE
Varies
TERMS
4 - 12 Months
AMOUNT
$500 - $300K
INTEREST RATE
From 8.39%
TERMS
2 - 24 Months
AMOUNT
$5K - $300K
INTEREST RATE
From 7.99%
TERMS
Fixed, 4 - 18 Months
AMOUNT
$5K - $800K
INTEREST RATE
From 7.99%
TERMS
6 - 24 Months
AMOUNT
$15K - $1M
INTEREST RATE
From 8%
TERMS
3 - 24 Months
AMOUNT
$5K - $500K
INTEREST RATE
From 9.99%
TERMS
2 - 24 Months
AMOUNT
$5K - $500K
INTEREST RATE
From 7.99%
TERMS
6 - 24 Months
AMOUNT
$5K - $50M
INTEREST RATE
From 7%
TERMS
5 - 96 Months
AMOUNT
$2.5K - $1M
INTEREST RATE
From 7.5%
TERMS
3 - 72 Months
AMOUNT
$5K - $2M
INTEREST RATE
From 7.99%
TERMS
2 - 36 Months
AMOUNT
$5K - $300K
INTEREST RATE
From 7.99%
TERMS
3 - 12 Months
AMOUNT
$3K - $5M
INTEREST RATE
From 13.99%
TERMS
1 - 60 Months
AMOUNT
$250 - $1M
INTEREST RATE
From 10%
TERMS
3 - 60 Months

What are the Best Types of Business Loans for Grocery Stores?


Canada Small Business Financing Program Loans

The Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP) partners with lenders to provide superior loans. The CSBFP shares the risk with the lenders they work with, enabling these lenders to offer you lower rates. If you qualify for a CSBFP loan, you can expect better rates.

Term Loans

Grocery store loans usually don't need to be complicated. A business term loan can be used for any business purpose.

If you just need a little more money at any given moment, a grocery store term loan can provide you with the extra cash you need to get you through a major purchase or an unprofitable month.

Revolving Line of Credit

Revolving lines of credit are a great option for grocery store financing. They can be used for a wide variety of purposes. They carry higher interest rates than term loans on average. However, their terms last longer and offer you more control over your grocery store financing.

Equipment Loans

Equipment loans are a lot like term loans. The main difference is that they use the purchased equipment as collateral.

Merchant Cash Advance

Grocery stores typically receive many payments via credit cards. If your grocery store is credit-card friendly and you don't want a normal business loan with regular repayments, an MCA might be the option you’re looking for. An MCA is just an advance that you pay for through portions of future credit card sales.

What are the main purposes for Grocery Store Loans?


Working Capital

Grocery stores have many day-to-day expenses that often require business financing.

Business Expansion

Expanding a grocery store is expensive. Grocery store loans can make the expansions your business needs possible.

Advertising & Marketing

Advertising expenses can provide a high return on investment. This is why many grocery store chains will use loans to pay for more publicity.

Purchase Produce & Inventory

Grocery store loans are often used to cover the consistent expenses of purchasing more groceries and other products.

Purchase / Upgrade Equipment

Equipment that is used at a grocery store may often need upgrades or replacements. These expenses are not always small, so grocery store loans are often taken for them.

Workforce & Payroll

Grocery store businesses are some of the largest employers. Making payroll and hiring new workers are critical expenses that can't be neglected. So, business loans can be used to fill the financial gaps that workforce expenses leave.

Pay taxes

Taxes can bite into a grocery business's cash flow. When this happens, it's often necessary to take a loan to avoid the CRA's punitive measures.

 

How do you Apply for a Small Business Loan for a Grocery Store?


The first step to getting any kind of loan is finding the right lender. Shop around and compare the rates offered on loans you qualify for. Then, send an application to the lender that best suits your needs.

After you send an application, the lender will assess your credit score and business financials. This assessment will be the basis of any offer they send you. Once they send a full offer, it's up to you to accept or reject it. If you accept, they will send you the funds and the terms of the loan will be applied.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Grocery Store Loans


How long does it take to get a loan for a grocery store?

The time it takes to get a grocery store loan will vary by lender. Banks may take one week to a few months to approve a loan. Online lenders will often be much faster. You can get a business loan in one day from some alternative lenders.

Can I get a business loan for a grocery store with bad credit?

Yes, you can get a grocery store loan with almost any credit score. Bad credit business lenders offer bad credit loans to a wide variety of borrowers.

How big a business loan can I get for a grocery store?

Lenders will offer you between $15,000 and $300,000 for a grocery store loan. The amount of money you get from a business lender will depend on:

  • The lender you go to
  • Your credit score
  • Your business financial information

How do you start a grocery store business in Canada?

The best way to start a grocery store in Canada is to jump aboard with a big franchise. This makes the many intricacies of running a grocery store so much easier.

If you want to start a new grocery store yourself, the application process is the same as it is with many other businesses.

What are Canada's top grocery stores?

Some of the most popular grocery businesses in Canada are Loblaw, Sobeys, and Metro.

av
writtenWritten by:

Amy Orr

Amy Orr is a professional writer and editor with over 10 years of experience in the Canadian, U.S. and U.K. financial markets. She has written for numerous publications on topics as diverse as economic literacy, corporate finance, and technical analysis of numerical data. Prior to transitioning to full-time writing, she worked in the hedge fund sector. Her academic background is astrophysics, and she has a Masters in Finance from the University of Edinburgh Business School.

av
writtenReviewed by:

Jenna West

Jenna West is Smarter Loans' in-house financial writer and content director. She has been covering the Canadian FinTech and finance industry since 2017, including financial trends analysis, industry surveys, regulatory updates and changes in Canadian consumer behaviour when it comes to finance.

Awesome G.
04:46 26 Feb 25
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Pat M.
03:10 26 Feb 25
Good place to get a loan
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02:07 26 Feb 25
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Dan Bott (.
01:41 26 Feb 25
Very Helpful, was assisted in a timely fashion and was ultimately able to receive assistance; I highly recommend!!!
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22:59 25 Feb 25
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13:22 27 Oct 24
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Vincent J.
07:08 23 Oct 24
Good place for borrowing a bit of money 😁
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06:41 23 Oct 24
Personally love this opportunity and app. Super convenient and easy to use and super awesome variety of great loans. Thanks so much guys for making such an awesome site and app and being there for me over the years. :)
Tara H.
16:23 16 Oct 24
From beginning to end, my experience was great! Very professional and personable agents. They only asked questions that were needed for the loan and payments were extremely reasonable. Would recommend to anyone who needs emergency funds.
A S.
19:43 11 Oct 24
“ Thank you SO very much! My situation was tricky and you guys made the whole process so effortless. The way you guys handle the whole process so discreetly. That truly speaks to how well your office is run and the caliber of specialists who handled the processing of my entire loan!”

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