Best SBA Lenders For Grocery Stores (2027)
Grocery Stores closed 357 SBA 7(a) loans worth $326M in FY2026 through 116 lenders. 24% of the dollars financed business acquisitions.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of Hope was the top SBA lender for Grocery Stores, with $27.6M across 19 loans.
- 53 buyers used an SBA loan to buy a business in this industry, averaging $1.5M per loan.
- California led all states with $59.2M in SBA loans for this industry.
- The median loan was $350K; 34% went to startups and newer businesses.
Top SBA Lenders For Grocery Stores
Ranked by SBA 7(a) dollar volume approved nationwide in FY2026.
| # | Lender | SBA Loans | Total Volume | Avg Loan | Avg Rate | Acquisition Loans |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bank of HopeLos Angeles, CA | 19 | $27.6M | $1.5M | 8.50% | 1 |
| 2 | U.S. BankCincinnati, OH | 8 | $11.7M | $1.5M | 7.70% | 1 |
| 3 | Northeast BankLewiston, ME | 37 | $10.4M | $282K | 9.80% | 0 |
| 4 | Integro BankPhoenix, AZ | 2 | $10.0M | $5.0M | 9.50% | 0 |
| 5 | US Metro BankGarden Grove, CA | 4 | $9.6M | $2.4M | 8.25% | 2 |
| 6 | Open BankLos Angeles, CA | 5 | $8.9M | $1.8M | 8.30% | 4 |
| 7 | Metro City BankDoraville, GA | 3 | $8.6M | $2.9M | 8.42% | 0 |
| 8 | OakStar BankSpringfield, MO | 4 | $8.4M | $2.1M | 8.94% | 1 |
| 9 | Bank of the OrientSan Francisco, CA | 2 | $7.9M | $4.0M | 8.25% | 0 |
| 10 | TD BankWilmington, DE | 10 | $7.6M | $761K | 8.52% | 0 |
| 11 | Hanmi BankLos Angeles, CA | 6 | $7.3M | $1.2M | 8.29% | 5 |
| 12 | Port 51 Lending LLCNew York, NY | 2 | $6.8M | $3.4M | 8.25% | 0 |
| 13 | Readycap LendingBerkeley Heights, NJ | 5 | $6.5M | $1.3M | 11.65% | 2 |
| 14 | JPMorgan Chase BankColumbus, OH | 4 | $6.5M | $1.6M | 9.01% | 0 |
| 15 | Newtek BankMiami, FL | 18 | $6.1M | $336K | 11.24% | 0 |
Best SBA Lenders For Buying A Business
Business acquisition loans are SBA loans used to buy an existing company. They are larger than average and need more experience from the lender.
Most Active Acquisition Lenders
- Hanmi Bank5 acquisition loans
- Open Bank4 acquisition loans
- US Metro Bank2 acquisition loans
- Readycap Lending2 acquisition loans
- Bank of Hope1 acquisition loan
- U.S. Bank1 acquisition loan
Among this area's top 15 lenders by volume.
Buying A Business?
We take your deal to the SBA lenders that close the most acquisitions, so they compete for it. It is free to you.
What Lenders Look For In Grocery Stores
- Sales trends by month and by product category
- The lease: remaining term, renewal options and rent
- Inventory levels and how fast it turns
- Gross margin and shrink
What To Check Before You Buy
- Make sure the lease runs at least as long as the loan or can be extended
- Count inventory at closing and agree on how it is priced
- Compare point of sale reports to tax returns
- Check local competition and foot traffic changes
The average SBA loan for grocery stores was $913K, above the national average of $578K. Loans ran 12.9 years on average, a sign that many deals included real estate.
Acquisitions made up 24% of the dollars, compared with 27% nationally. Most SBA lending here goes to existing owners and startups, so pick a lender with acquisition experience in this industry.
This page covers NAICS code 445110.
Top States For Grocery Stores
Loan Sizes
How SBA dollars split by loan size.
SBA Lending For Grocery Stores Since 2020
FY2026 dollar volume was down 7.8% from FY2025, and the loan count was down 16.8%. Part of that drop is the calendar: SBA approved no 7(a) loans in October 2025 during the federal government shutdown (October 1 to November 12, 2025), so FY2026 covers about 11 months of lending.
How Much You Need Down
For a business acquisition, SBA sets the minimum Down Payment. Lenders can ask for more.
- 10% minimum. SBA requires a Down Payment of at least 10% of the project for an initial business acquisition (SOP 50 10 8.1, Appendix 15).
- A seller note can cover up to half. When the seller finances part of the price on full standby, with no payments for the life of the SBA loan, it can count for up to half of the required Down Payment. That can bring your cash to 5%.
- Investors can help. Minority investors can fund part of the Down Payment. Anyone who owns 20% or more personally guarantees the loan.
- Ten year term for most acquisitions. Business acquisition loans without real estate run up to 10 years. Real estate in the deal can stretch the term.
Example
The average business acquisition loan was $1.5M. At 10% down, that is a project of about $1.6M:
Illustration only. Your lender sets the final structure.
Questions About SBA Loans For Grocery Stores
Who is the best SBA lender for grocery stores?
Bank of Hope made the most SBA 7(a) dollars for grocery stores in FY2026 ($27.6M across 19 loans). The best fit for you depends on loan size, location and whether you are buying or starting a business.
How big are SBA loans for grocery stores?
The average was $913K and the median $350K across 357 loans in FY2026. Acquisition loans averaged $1.5M.
What rate do SBA lenders charge grocery stores?
The average initial rate was 9.23% (8.43% weighted by loan size), and 92% of loans were variable. Your rate depends on loan size, term and the lender.
Can I buy a business in this industry with an SBA loan?
Yes. 53 buyers did in FY2026. SBA 7(a) loans can finance up to $5 million with at least 10% down, and a seller note on full standby can cover up to half of the Down Payment.
Does GoSBA Loans charge borrowers?
No. GoSBA Loans is 100% free to borrowers. We package your deal and take it to the SBA lenders that fit it.
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About this data. Rankings use SBA 7(a) loan approvals from the SBA FOIA data set, fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026), as published by SBA through September 30, 2026. Lenders are ranked by approved dollar volume. Rates are the initial rate at approval, a simple average across loans; most SBA 7(a) loans are variable and move with the Prime Rate. Business acquisition loans are those SBA marks as a change of ownership. GoSBA Loans is an SBA loan broker, not a lender, and is not affiliated with SBA.
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