OHIO · NAICS NAICS 7225 family
Ohio restaurant projects span Columbus's growth corridors, Cleveland's neighborhood revivals, and Cincinnati's mixed-use cores. Studies translate trade-area demographics, daypart mix, check averages, and labor models into projections, and reconcile lease economics or owner-occupied real estate structures against coverage under stress.
FEASIBILITY TRIGGER
Restaurant deals are projection-based for startups, conversions, and expansions, and lenders routinely require independent studies where operating history is thin.
Ohio generated 3,970 SBA-disbursed restaurant loans between FY2010 and FY2026, worth $1.05 billion in approved 7(a) and 504 financing at an average of $265,000 per deal. Ranked #5 of 38 states for restaurant SBA volume, the state captures 3.0% of national restaurant dollars. 95.1% of the loans ran through 7(a) with 504 covering the remainder; 511 approvals have posted since FY2024.
| Disbursed loans (FY2010–FY2026) | 3,970 |
| Approved volume | $1.05 billion |
| Average loan size | $265,000 |
| 7(a) share | 95.1% |
| Approvals since FY2024 | 511 |
| State rank by loan count | #5 of 38 |
Among the 2,916 seasoned loans in this segment (approvals FY2010–FY2021), 9.7% reached adverse resolution — purchased, liquidated, or charged off. The national benchmark for restaurant is 9.4%, against 7.3% across all industries. That is broadly in line with the national benchmark for this asset class.
Source: SBA 7(a) and 504 FOIA loan-level data, as of March 31, 2026. Disbursed loans only. See data methodology.
An adverse-resolution rate of 9.7%, close to the national restaurant benchmark of 9.4%, puts Ohio deals in this class on ordinary SBA credit footing. Across 3,970 loans averaging $265,000, the underwriting question is deal-specific: a rigorous third-party feasibility study is where documented demand and stressed coverage decide the credit outcome.
Every Ohio restaurants project we underwrite follows the same lender ready process: independent market analysis, site and technical review, and financial projections tested against SBA SOP 50 10 8 standards. Our SBA feasibility study consultants guide explains scope, timing, deliverables, and what lenders and CDCs expect in the report.
Ohio projects most often pencil under SBA 504 because the 50/40/10 structure delivers up to 90 percent financing on owner-occupied real estate at a fixed debenture rate. SBA 7(a) covers acquisitions, working capital, and equipment, and from July 4, 2026 eligible borrowers can combine 7(a) and 504 for up to $10 million in total program credit.
Full-service restaurants rank third in Ohio's SBA volume with 153 trailing-year loans averaging $377,807, with limited-service adding 119 more.
For a national view of this asset class, see our restaurant SBA feasibility overview, and read our related analysis in the restaurant lending research on our blog.
Compare neighboring markets: North Carolina, Oregon, Texas.
Public SBA and CDC program records, cited as program evidence
SBA 504 through Ohio Statewide Development Corporation paired with an Ohio 166 Regional Loan
Café project pairing the 504 with state stacking
Westerville, Franklin County, Ohio
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