VIRGINIA · NAICS NAICS 7225 family

    SBA Restaurants Feasibility Study in Virginia

    Virginia restaurant projects range from Richmond's acclaimed dining scene to the Virginia Beach oceanfront's seasonal volume. Full-service restaurants posted $3.1 million across four calendar 2025 loans in the Virginia Beach table alone, and lenders routinely require independent studies for startups, conversions, and expansions where operating history is thin.

    FEASIBILITY TRIGGER

    Restaurant deals are projection-based for startups, conversions, and expansions; lenders routinely require independent studies where operating history is thin.

    SBA Lending Data: Restaurants in Virginia

    Virginia generated 1,367 SBA-disbursed restaurant loans between FY2010 and FY2026, worth $558.0 million in approved 7(a) and 504 financing at an average of $408,000 per deal. Ranked #19 of 38 states for restaurant SBA volume, the state captures 1.6% of national restaurant dollars. 91.8% of the loans ran through 7(a) with 504 covering the remainder; 244 approvals have posted since FY2024.

    Disbursed loans (FY2010–FY2026)1,367
    Approved volume$558.0 million
    Average loan size$408,000
    7(a) share91.8%
    Approvals since FY2024244
    State rank by loan count#19 of 38

    Among the 949 seasoned loans in this segment (approvals FY2010–FY2021), 10.0% 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.

    What this means for your loan application

    A 10.0% adverse-resolution rate against the national restaurant benchmark of 9.4% tells credit committees to scrutinize revenue projections and coverage assumptions closely on Virginia 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 $408,000 across 1,367 loans.

    Work with SBA feasibility study consultants

    Every Virginia 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.

    Program fit

    Virginia projects 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, decisive in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads land markets. 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.

    Virginia evidence

    Full-service restaurants posted $3.1 million across four calendar 2025 loans in the Virginia Beach table alone, and the state's restaurant economy runs from Richmond's acclaimed dining scene to the oceanfront's seasonal volume.

    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: Texas, Washington.

    Program evidence

    Public SBA and CDC program records, cited as program evidence

    Ice Plant

    $1.1M SBA 504 through Florida First Capital

    Restaurant and bar with bottle shop, national program evidence

    St. Augustine, St. Johns County, Florida

    Frequently asked questions

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