PENNSYLVANIA · NAICS NAICS 7225 family
Pennsylvania restaurant projects span Philadelphia neighborhood cores, Pittsburgh's revived districts, and the mid-state belts of Lancaster, Reading, and Allentown. 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.
From FY2010 through FY2026, Pennsylvania recorded 2,906 SBA-disbursed restaurant loans across the 7(a) and 504 programs, representing $1.08 billion in approved financing at an average loan size of $372,000. The state sits at rank #9 of 38 for restaurant SBA lending volume and holds 3.1% of the national restaurant dollar pool. 7(a) accounts for 95.4% of the count, 504 for the rest, with 463 fresh approvals dated FY2024 or later.
| Disbursed loans (FY2010–FY2026) | 2,906 |
| Approved volume | $1.08 billion |
| Average loan size | $372,000 |
| 7(a) share | 95.4% |
| Approvals since FY2024 | 463 |
| State rank by loan count | #9 of 38 |
Among the 2,090 seasoned loans in this segment (approvals FY2010–FY2021), 10.7% reached adverse resolution — purchased, liquidated, or charged off. The national benchmark for restaurant is 9.4%, against 7.3% across all industries. That performance runs above the national benchmark for this asset class, which is a factor lenders weigh in their credit decision.
Source: SBA 7(a) and 504 FOIA loan-level data, as of March 31, 2026. Disbursed loans only. See data methodology.
A 10.7% adverse-resolution rate against the national restaurant benchmark of 9.4% tells credit committees to scrutinize revenue projections and coverage assumptions closely on Pennsylvania deals in this class. A rigorous third-party feasibility study — built on documented demand, defensible pricing, and stressed coverage — carries meaningful weight in that underwriting conversation, particularly at an average loan size of $372,000 across 2,906 loans.
Every Pennsylvania 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.
Pennsylvania 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, and PIDA's low-interest second-mortgage loans stack directly behind the 504. 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 lead Pennsylvania's SBA volume with 123 calendar 2025 loans for $57.9 million, with limited-service adding 89 more for $42 million.
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: Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas.
Public SBA and CDC program records, cited as program evidence
Seedcopa-documented SBA 504 of $765,000 within a $1,856,000 project with Fulton Bank
Fiscal 2024 Seedcopa-documented financing
Horsham, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Seedcopa-documented SBA 504 of $620,000 within a $2,115,000 project with M&T Bank
Fiscal 2024 Seedcopa-documented financing
Hershey, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania
Fifteen-minute scoping call, written proposal inside one business day, firm fixed fee before you sign.
Book a MeetingOur SBA feasibility study consultants prepare lodging and hospitality studies for lenders, CDCs and sponsors. See pricing, methodology or request a fixed fee quote.
California, Texas, Florida, New York, Illinois, Georgia, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona, Colorado, Washington, Virginia, Minnesota, Maryland, Wisconsin, Missouri, Indiana, South Carolina, Oregon, Connecticut, Nevada, North Carolina, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Mexico, West Virginia, Idaho, Montana, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Delaware, Iowa, Kansas, Wyoming.