What funding can a Canadian restaurant get?
123 verified funding programs may apply to a Canadian restaurant right now: 77 grants and rebates, 42 loans and financing programs, and 4 other supports, covering storefronts and signage, hiring and training, energy costs, and business loans. Every program shows what it's worth, who qualifies, the official source, and the date we last checked it. Verified as recently as .
- 123
- open right now
- 77
- grants & rebates
- 42
- loans & financing
- 54
- city & municipal
Provincial & regional
Provincial and regional programs
Province- and region-specific; each card says where it applies and who it's for.
Starter Company Plus
Up to $5,000
Starter Company Plus pairs a grant of up to $5,000 with hands-on training and one-on-one guidance from your local Small Business Enterprise Centre.
Checked
Commercial Buildings Retrofit Program
Up to $1,250,000
This program helps New Brunswick business owners cut energy bills and improve facilities by reimbursing costs for audits and retrofits.
Checked
Retail Modernization Project Grant (RMPG)
Up to $5,000
Ontario shops can get 50% back, up to $5,000, on modern store technology: POS systems, inventory tracking, self-checkout kiosks, CRM and more.
Checked
PME MTL: Funds for Retail businesses
Up to $25,000
This fund supports retail businesses on Montreal commercial streets with non-repayable grants for new launches, model adaptations, or resilience…
Checked
Retrofit Program
Up to 50% of costs
The Retrofit Program helps Ontario businesses lower operating costs by covering up to 50% of eligible energy-efficiency improvements like lighting,…
Checked
Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED): Entrepreneur Support
Up to $25,000
This territorial program helps NWT entrepreneurs fund start-ups, expansion, and market development.
Checked
takeCHARGE Business Efficiency Program
Up to $100,000
TakeCHARGE helps commercial businesses in Newfoundland and Labrador reduce energy consumption through tailored efficiency projects.
Checked
Business energy rebates
Efficiency Nova Scotia offers small businesses rebates on energy-efficient improvements. You can also pay for eligible improvements interest-free…
Checked
Efficient Solutions Program
Up to $60,000
Hydro-Québec gives financial support to commercial, institutional and industrial organizations that improve HVAC, lighting and other systems to save…
Checked
Economic Development Fund: Tier 1
Up to $30,000
This territorial program helps Yukon businesses and communities build long-term economic strength.
Checked
ÉcoPerformance: Simplified Implementation
This Quebec government program provides financial aid for energy efficiency, conversion, and greenhouse gas reduction projects.
Checked
Small Business Assistance
Up to $2,500
This Innovation PEI grant helps PEI micro-businesses pay for expert help with plans, such as business or marketing plans.
Checked
Strategic Investments Program: Nunavut Business Investment Fund
Up to $250,000
The Nunavut Business Investment Fund helps local owners grow through the Strategic Investments Program.
Checked
E-tools for Exporting
Up to $15,000
This cost-share program helps PEI SMEs cover eligible expenses for export market development activities like SEO, paid advertising, and e-commerce…
Checked
Export Market Access Program (EMAP)
Up to $15,000
This cost-share program helps PEI small businesses expand into international markets by reimbursing eligible expenses for digital export activities…
Checked
Economic Development Fund: Tier 2
Up to $100,000
This territorial program helps Yukon businesses, First Nations, and community groups build long-term economic strength.
Checked
ÉcoPerformance: Recommissioning of building mechanical systems (RCx)
Up to $100,000
Quebec's ÉcoPerformance RCx grant helps you tune the HVAC and lighting systems in an existing commercial or industrial building so it uses less…
Checked
Écoperformance: Biénergie commerciale et institutionnelle
This Quebec government grant helps businesses, institutions, and municipalities reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency and…
Checked
Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) Stream
Up to $500,000
The Business Scale-up and Productivity Stream helps established Northern Ontario businesses modernize and expand.
Checked
Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit
Up to $45,000
Corporations can claim a 10% refundable corporate income tax credit on eligible commercial or industrial building expenditures in designated Ontario…
Checked
ACOA Business Development Program: Commercial Component
Up to 50% of costs
Interest-free repayable contributions from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) to start, modernize, or expand a business.
Checked
ACOA Regional Economic Growth through Innovation: Business Scale-up and Productivity
ACOA provides interest-free repayable contributions to help Atlantic Canadian businesses expand operations and adopt new technology.
Checked
CED Business Scale-up and Productivity (REGI for SMEs)
Up to 50% of costs
Interest-free repayable funding for Quebec SMEs with productivity and innovation projects. It covers up to half of your authorized costs to buy new…
Checked
Réseau des SADC et CAE: Loans
Up to $300,000
Local SADC and CAE offices across Quebec offer loans and practical business help to small businesses, youth entrepreneurs, and community projects.
Checked
Entrepreneur Loan Program
Up to $100,000
Finance PEI offers loans of up to $100,000 to start, improve or expand a business in Prince Edward Island.
Checked
Community Futures Program Northwest Territories
Up to $200,000
Community Futures offices in the Northwest Territories offer loans, loan guarantees, wage subsidies and business counselling to help you start or…
Checked
Fonds locaux d'investissement (FLI)
Up to $150,000
Your local MRC (regional county municipality) offers government-backed loans or loan guarantees for startup, expansion, transformation, or succession…
Checked
Manitoba: Paid Work Experience Tax Credits
Up to $5,000
A family of fully refundable provincial tax credits for employers in Manitoba who hire co-op students, co-op graduates, high school vocational…
Checked
Green Energy Equipment Tax Credit
This provincial tax credit helps Manitoba businesses and property owners offset the cost of installing eligible green energy systems.
Checked
Community Futures Alberta: Financial Supports
Up to $150,000
Community Futures Alberta offers loans to entrepreneurs with businesses in rural Alberta. The loans use simple interest, and the official page says…
Checked
CBDC Innovation Loan
Up to $150,000
A loan for rural Atlantic Canadian businesses to pay for new technology, products, or services.
Checked
CBDC First-time Entrepreneur Loan
Up to $150,000
A loan of up to $150,000 for first-time entrepreneurs in rural Atlantic Canada. Local CBDCs also offer counselling and training with the loan.
Checked
Revenu Québec: Tax Credit for an On-the-Job Training Period
From $2,500
A refundable Quebec tax credit for businesses that host a full-time student trainee or an apprentice in the Workplace Apprenticeship Program.
Checked
Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED): Strategic Investments
Up to $75,000
This program helps Northwest Territories businesses make large investments that create local jobs and business activity.
Checked
Roulez Vert: Rebate for charging station at work
This Quebec government subsidy helps businesses pay for buying and installing electric vehicle charging stations at the workplace.
Checked
Business Growth Program
Up to $200,000
This program provides non-repayable contributions to help you start, innovate, or scale your business.
Checked
Transportez vert: Direct current fast charging station
Up to $50,000
Quebec's Ecorecharge program pays back 50% of eligible costs when your business installs DC fast chargers.
Checked
Export Development Program
Up to $15,000
This Nova Scotia program pays back part of the cost of export activities, such as travel to markets outside the province, trade shows, and…
Checked
Community Tourism Destination Development Fund
Up to $375,000
This cost-share program helps Yukon tourism businesses and organizations build better accommodations, attractions, and amenities.
Checked
Export Enhancement and Diversification Fund
Up to $32,000
Innovation PEI pays part of the cost of export activities such as trade shows and market research.
Checked
Access to Capital
From $150,000
Access to Capital provides repayable financing through Community Futures Ontario. It helps small businesses and social enterprises that need money to…
Checked
Community Futures Saskatchewan: Business Loans, Advice and Training
Loans for business owners in rural Saskatchewan who want to start, expand or buy a business.
Checked
Micro-Loan Program
Up to $15,000
This provincial loan program offers working capital and equipment funding for new or expanding businesses on Prince Edward Island.
Checked
Small Business Loan Guarantee Program
Up to $500,000
Access flexible term loans, working capital, or lines of credit to fund your start-up, purchase, or expansion.
Checked
MicroEntreprendre
$2,000–$20,000
Access up to $20,000 in microcredit and hands-on support through a network of 20 Quebec organizations designed for entrepreneurs who cannot access…
Checked
Yukon Venture Loan Guarantee Program
Up to $100,000
This program helps Yukon startups and growing businesses access venture loans from participating financial institutions by reducing lender risk…
Checked
Prosper NWT: Term Loans
Up to $5,000,000
Prosper NWT offers term loans to Northwest Territories businesses to expand, buy assets, or start new projects.
Checked
Community Futures British Columbia
Up to $1,000,000
Community Futures offices offer flexible loans to startups, existing businesses and non-profits in British Columbia.
Checked
CBDC General Business Loan
Up to $150,000
A loan to grow or take over a business when standard bank financing is hard to get. You can use it for expansion or working capital, with competitive…
Checked
Impact Loan Program (CBDC)
Up to $50,000
This program offers low-interest loans to businesses in urban Atlantic Canada through local Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs).
Checked
Kivalliq Business Development Centre
Up to $150,000
KBDC offers loans and business counselling to new and existing businesses across the Kivalliq region.
Checked
Business Investment Program: Term Loan
This term loan is for small and medium-sized businesses in strategic sectors or with export potential, when regular bank financing is not enough.
Checked
Project Financing
Investissement Québec offers loans, investments, and government programs to help Quebec businesses at any growth stage carry out their projects.
Checked
Nunavut Business Credit Corporation
The Nunavut Business Credit Corporation offers term loans, construction financing, loan guarantees and other credit to help Nunavut businesses…
Checked
Columbia Basin Trust: Impact Investment Fund
The Columbia Basin Trust offers direct commercial loans for growth, succession and construction projects in the Columbia Basin.
Checked
Canada-wide
Federal programs restaurants can use
Food and Beverage Industry Financing (FCC)
Farm Credit Canada offers loans to food and beverage businesses anywhere in Canada to build, expand, or equip their operations.
Checked
Student Work Placement Program
Up to $5,000
A federal wage subsidy for employers who hire post-secondary students through the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP).
Checked
Community Futures Network of Canada
Community Futures has 267 non-profit offices across Canada. They provide small business loans, training and local support to entrepreneurs in rural…
Checked
Canada Small Business Financing Program
Up to $1,150,000
This program makes it easier to get a business loan by having the government share the lending risk with your bank or credit union.
Checked
BDC Financing: Small Business Loan
Up to $350,000
An online loan of up to $350,000 from BDC, Canada's federal Crown corporation bank. Use it for inventory, hiring and training, marketing, product…
Checked
BDC Financing: Start-up
Up to $150,000
A BDC loan of up to $150,000 for businesses that have operated at least 12 months. Use it to buy assets, pay start-up fees, buy a franchise, or pay…
Checked
BDC Financing: Working Capital Term Loan
A BDC term loan for inventory, supplier payments, hiring and other working capital needs. You can pay interest only for up to 24 months at the start.
Checked
BDC Financing: Equipment Purchase Loan
Up to 125% of costs
A BDC loan to buy new or used machinery, vehicles or technology for your business. BDC offers flexible loan terms, including interest-only periods…
Checked
Technology Equipment Loan (BDC)
A BDC loan for IT equipment, software, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure. You pay interest only for the first 24 months and can take up to 8…
Checked
BDC: Business Purchase or Transfer Loan
A BDC loan to help you buy an existing Canadian business. It can fund buying a competitor or supplier, a management or employee buyout, taking over a…
Checked
BDC: Purchase Order Financing
Up to 90% of costs
A short-term BDC loan that helps Canadian businesses pay suppliers and production costs so they can fill a confirmed customer order when cash flow is…
Checked
BDC Financing: Certified Green Building Loan
Up to 100% of costs
A BDC loan to buy, build or renovate a business property that you plan to get green certified, for example LEED or Zero Carbon.
Checked
BDC Financing: Commercial Real Estate Loan
This BDC commercial real estate loan helps established Canadian businesses acquire, expand, or renovate their premises.
Checked
Futurpreneur Canada Side Hustle
Up to $25,000
Launch or scale your side business while keeping your day job. You get access to capital, expert mentoring, and planning tools to build your venture…
Checked
City & municipal
City programs restaurants can use
Address-specific: designated areas and local rules decide, and many require approval before you spend.
Ottawa Centretown Heritage Facade Improvement Program
Up to $75,000
This City of Ottawa program is for designated heritage buildings on Bank Street or in Somerset Village.
Checked
Hamilton Commercial District Revitalization Grant (CDRG)
Up to $10,000
Hamilton helps you improve your exterior with a 50% match for facade, signage, awnings, and lighting. You and the city share the cost.
Checked
London Vacant Commercial Space Fit-Out Grant
Up to $50,000
If you are opening a business in an empty commercial unit in London, the City of London covers 50% of eligible interior renovation costs, up to…
Checked
Windsor Downtown Facade Improvement Program
Up to $20,000
This City of Windsor program helps you modernize your downtown exterior by reimbursing half the cost of approved facade and signage improvements, up…
Checked
Windsor Retail Reinvestment Grant
Up to $15,000
The City of Windsor pays 50% of interior renovation costs for downtown retail spaces, up to $15,000.
Checked
Windsor Main Streets Facade Improvement Program
Up to $30,000
The City of Windsor matches 50% of your exterior improvement costs, helping you modernize your storefront on traditional Main Streets outside…
Checked
Kitchener Facade Grant Program
Up to $10,000
The City of Kitchener covers up to half the cost of exterior improvements, helping you modernize your shop front with rolling applications for…
Checked
Brampton Facade Improvement Program
Up to $20,000
The City of Brampton pays back half the cost of facade and signage work, up to $20,000 ($50,000 for heritage buildings), for storefronts in the…
Checked
Greater Sudbury Facade Improvement Program
Up to $20,000
This program helps you modernize your main street-facing facade and signage, covering half the cost up to $20,000.
Checked
Thunder Bay Commercial Facade Improvement Grant
Up to $10,000
Thunder Bay helps pay for exterior improvements such as signage, awnings and lighting. This program covers 50% of eligible costs, up to $10,000, for…
Checked
St. Catharines Facade Improvement Program
Up to $10,000
This cost-share program reimburses up to 50% of eligible facade and signage costs for commercial buildings in St.
Checked
Crescent Heights Village BIA Matching Grant (Calgary)
Up to $250
The Crescent Heights Village BIA in Calgary helps pay for lighting, painting, awnings and window displays. It matches 50% of your costs, up to $250.
Checked
Waterloo Commercial / Facade Improvement Grant (Uptown CIP)
Up to $10,000
Waterloo helps you improve your commercial space by covering 50% of eligible facade and storefront work.
Checked
Peterborough Central Area Facade Improvement Grant
Up to $15,000
Peterborough helps you modernize your building's exterior by covering half the cost of facade, signage, or awning work.
Checked
Sarnia Building Facade Improvement Grant (CIP)
Up to $10,000
This cost-share program helps with exterior work on commercial property in Sarnia's Downtown or Mitton Village areas.
Checked
Richmond Hill Facade, Landscaping and Signage Improvement Grant
Up to $25,000
This cost-share program helps Richmond Hill business owners and tenants pay for exterior work.
Checked
Brantford Downtown Facade & Safety Improvement Grant
Up to $15,000
Brantford's Downtown Facade & Safety Improvement Grant helps pay for exterior work on commercial buildings.
Checked
Welland Downtown & Health Wellness Cluster Facade Improvement Grant
Up to $12,500
Welland’s Downtown and Health Wellness Cluster program helps you modernize your facade and signage.
Checked
Chatham-Kent Facade Improvement Grant (CIP)
Up to 50% of costs
This Chatham-Kent grant helps you modernize your exterior by reimbursing half of your eligible facade and signage expenses.
Checked
Downtown Prince George Facade Improvement Grant
Up to $5,000
Get 25% of your costs back, up to $5,000, for exterior improvements like new signage or facade repairs. It is for businesses in the downtown C1 zone.
Checked
Edmonton Storefront Improvement Grant
Up to $25,000
Edmonton's matching grant helps pay for exterior facade and signage work. You cover the upfront costs, then the city reimburses 50% of eligible…
Checked
Medicine Hat City Centre Vibrancy Program
Up to $15,000
This program helps you modernize your commercial space in Medicine Hat's City Centre. You receive a 50% matching grant for permanent improvements…
Checked
St. Albert Storefront Improvement Grant
Up to $3,000
The City of St. Albert reimburses up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $3,000, for storefront signage, patios, lighting and other…
Checked
Brandon Facade and Storefront Improvement Program
Up to $20,000
This program helps pay for exterior improvements such as lighting, windows, signage and accessibility features.
Checked
Downtown Moncton Beautification Grant
Up to $5,000
This grant pays up to 50% of the cost of exterior improvements like signage, architectural details and landscaping for properties in downtown Moncton.
Checked
Downtown St. John's Facade Improvement Program
Up to $3,000
The Downtown St. John's BIA offers a matching grant to help you repaint, restore, or improve your facade and signage, reimbursing you for half the…
Checked
Downtown Charlottetown Facade Improvement Program
Up to $4,000
This Downtown Charlottetown BIA grant helps you improve your exterior with painting, siding, windows, doors, awnings, signage, accessibility, and…
Checked
Québec City Commercial-Artery Facade Renovation Grant
Up to $50,000
Quebec City helps businesses on commercial arteries renovate their building exteriors. The city covers 50% of eligible costs, with extra funds…
Checked
Sherbrooke Commercial Premises & Facade Renovation Grant
Up to $50,000
Sherbrooke helps pay for facade and interior work on commercial spaces. The city reimburses one-third of eligible costs, up to $50,000 for exterior…
Checked
Downtown Whitby & Brooklin CIP Facade Improvement Grant
Up to $10,000
Get matching funds to improve your building facade or signage in Downtown Whitby or Brooklin.
Checked
Historic Downtown Newmarket CIP: Facade Improvement & Restoration Program
Up to $15,000
Improve your building's exterior with matching grants and optional interest-free loans designed for heritage properties in Historic Downtown…
Checked
Aurora Promenade CIP: Facade & Signage Improvement Grant Program
Up to $15,000
This matching grant covers half of your eligible exterior improvement costs. It supports property owners in the Aurora Promenade CIP area who improve…
Checked
Belleville Facade Improvement Program
Up to $15,000
The City of Belleville pays back half of eligible facade and signage costs, up to $15,000, for properties in or next to the Downtown District BIA.
Checked
Facade and Signage Improvement Grant (Heart of the City CIP)
Up to $10,000
Cornwall's Heart of the City CIP helps businesses in the program area pay for facade work and new signage.
Checked
Million Dollar Makeover Funding Program
The City of Kawartha Lakes offers the Million Dollar Makeover program. It covers exterior improvements like storefront, facade, and signage in…
Checked
Growth CIP Facade Improvement Grant
Up to $15,000
This North Bay grant helps you modernize your street-facing appearance while preserving heritage character.
Checked
Downtown CIP Facade Improvement Grant
Up to $15,000
The City of Timmins offers a Facade Improvement Grant that covers up to 50% of eligible costs.
Checked
Downtown Tomorrow CIP Facade Improvement Grant
Up to $5,000
Orillia's Downtown Tomorrow Facade Improvement Grant pays back part of the cost of exterior work on downtown buildings.
Checked
Comprehensive Facade Improvement Grant
Up to $12,500
Orangeville helps pay for facade and signage improvements on storefronts in its Central Business District.
Checked
Downtown Area Facade Improvement Program
Up to $30,000
Woodstock's Downtown Area Facade Improvement Program offers a one-time grant and an interest-free loan for exterior improvements and professional…
Checked
Facade and Structural Improvement Program
Up to $7,500
This Community Improvement Plan grant helps you restore street-facing exteriors and structural elements in Owen Sound's River District and Harbour…
Checked
Commercial Facade Improvement Grant
Up to $40,000
Through its Community Improvement Plan, the Town of Fort Erie offers grants of up to $40,000 to improve the front exterior of a commercial or core…
Checked
Commercial/Mixed Use Building Facade Improvement Grant Program
Up to $12,500
The Downtown Grimsby Community Improvement Plan offers a grant that covers half the cost of eligible exterior improvements to commercial and…
Checked
DCBIA Facade Improvement Grant
The Downtown Chilliwack BIA (DCBIA) helps pay for paint, lighting and signage on storefronts in its area.
Checked
Downtown Renewal Grant Program
Up to $10,000
The City of Campbell River pays back 50% of eligible facade and CPTED (safety) costs for downtown properties, such as exterior lighting, windows,…
Checked
Mission Downtown Facade Improvement Grant
Up to $2,500
A partnered grant from the City of Mission and MDBA helps you improve street-facing facades, windows, doors and awnings.
Checked
Downtown Airdrie Property Improvement Grant
Up to $50,000
This matching grant helps Downtown Airdrie business owners and tenants modernize their building exteriors.
Checked
PADBID Facade Grant
Up to $10,000
This program helps you enhance the heritage character of your street-facing facade. It provides a matching grant for exterior improvements on…
Checked
Premiers Quartiers Facade Renovation Grant
A City of Trois-Rivières grant for renovating your commercial facade or signage in the designated first neighbourhoods.
Checked
Programme d'aide à la rénovation pour bâtiments commerciaux ou mixtes (Renovation assistance program for commercial or mixed-use buildings)
Up to $50,000
The City of Drummondville helps owners and tenants in downtown and Saint-Joseph renovate their building exteriors.
Checked
Pembroke Facade Improvement Grant
Up to $20,000
This City of Pembroke program helps business owners cover half the cost of exterior improvements.
Checked
London Facade Improvement Loan
Up to $50,000
This interest-free City of London loan covers half the cost of facade, signage, and window improvements. You repay the loan over 10 years.
Checked
London Upgrade to Building Code Loan
Up to $200,000
Bring your commercial interior up to code with plumbing, electrical, HVAC, or fire protection improvements.
Checked
Soutien à la rénovation de facades commerciales dans les quartiers historiques (Support for commercial facade renovation in historic neighbourhoods)
The City of Lévis offers an interest-free loan to help you renovate the exterior of commercial or mixed-use buildings in historic neighbourhoods.
Checked
Frequently asked questions
What restaurant projects does funding usually cover?
Most programs on this page pay for storefront and signage work, help with hiring and staff training, or are business loans. Some energy programs help with lighting, heating, cooling and refrigeration costs. Each program funds its own list of costs, so the program page tells you exactly what qualifies before you commit to anything.
Are these grants or loans?
Both, clearly labelled. Of the 123 programs on this page right now, 77 are grants or rebates, 42 are loans or financing, and 4 are other supports such as tax credits. A loan is never called a grant here: every card shows which kind of money you are looking at.
Can I start my renovation and apply after?
Usually no, and this is the mistake that costs restaurant owners the most. Many grants must approve you before you buy or sign anything; spending first can make the whole project ineligible. Every program page here flags approval-before-purchase rules, and checking the official source before you spend is always the safe move.
Who decides if my restaurant qualifies?
Each program's administrator decides who qualifies, never us. BBN Labs is an independent Canadian company, not a government agency. We verify and explain the programs, and applying through the official program site is always free.
Running a restaurant? See funding for restaurants covering storefront, signage, hiring and energy funding.