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What paperwork should you be preparing to own a restaurant

Taking your next step in owning a restaurant has to be to start to get your own paperwork in order so that's what we'll discuss here.

Before you go to any lender and it doesn't matter if that's going to be a bank, credit union, family member or another private financier, you'll want to start to get your own ducks in a row and that means getting all your paperwork in order!

Tax Returns
     It may seem obvious that you'll need at least three years of tax returns and many times you may also need up to five years but, trust me, some people haven't even filed last year taxes so it must be discussed.

     What information will tax returns provide to your lender?
     Your tax returns will show a lender your current address and prior ones. A lender may appreciate the fact that you have been at the same address for 3-5 years and shows you are stable and a member of the community. If you have had an unstable address meaning you've been moving around a lot, be ready to explain why that is the case and how you are now done moving and ready to take on the responsibility of owning your own restaurant. This will be discussed more in your business plan but, for now just now that it will be something that comes up with your financial institution.
     Tax returns show your income which is a very important part of getting financing for your start up restaurant.
     Tax returns show your social security number and your financier can instantly (or at least rather quickly) get your credit report to match it against your return.
     Tax returns also show not only your income but, any loans and debt if you have itemized your deductions.
     Your employer is listed on your tax returns so your financier will be able to verify the information you tell them simply by comparing it to your tax returns.
     Can you tell by now that your tax return tells a lot about you already so

Financing your restaurant

Before you get too involved with starting a restaurant, you need to understand a few key concepts in regard to financing.

Do you have the funds in cash yourself to open your own restaurant? Most or at least many people do not and must rely on financial assistance to get the ball rolling. If you are going to need some financial help, let's take a look at where to find the financing for your dream restaurant.

Banks
     Banks are typically very large institutions and they do have a lot of money so, you may think that the first place to go would be a bank, right? Understand that banks don't want to be in the restaurant industry and most restaurants fail within the first 3-5 years so getting a bank to lend you money for your start up is probably the most difficult way to go. Oftentimes, banks are also so large that they may be too busy to get to know each of their customers as well as their corporate offices aren't located in your town or city and all the paperwork and decision making could happen at the corporate office. That's not always the case though and many banks are trying harder these days to get more in touch with their customers.
     If you already do business with a large bank, keep your accounts current, up to date, pay all your loans on time and make friends with your banker. Don't lose hope and think that there's no way you can do this without a bank, there are other options and you just might end up with a bank after all.

Private Financing
     There are private financing individuals or companies that lend money to start up businesses and this could be a viable option for you. Some of the best places

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