How do I explain a coffee roaster’s equipment needs to a lender?

Start with a plain equipment list: the roaster, the cooling and cleaning gear, the grinders, packaging and storage. For each, record age, condition, service history and whether it is owned or financed. Ask a qualified technician for a written assessment of the main machine.

Then tie the equipment to the business. Explain how much the roaster can handle, how close the shop runs to that limit and what a breakdown would do to sales. If you want to add capacity, show how the new machine would be used and how it connects to orders from cafés and retail customers.

Give the lender a backup plan. What happens if the main roaster stops for several days? Who can service it, and how fast do parts arrive? Lenders look favourably on an owner who has thought about the risk. Prepare current quotes. A lender may want an independent assessment of the equipment as security, so ask your accountant how that is usually arranged. Compare the options for financing, including a purchase loan or an equipment loan, before you commit. Ask the technician to put any repair advice in writing, so your request matches what an independent person actually found.

Key takeaways

• List every machine with age, condition, service history and ownership status.
• Link the roaster’s capacity to current and planned sales.
• Describe the backup plan if the main machine breaks down.