How a James Beard semifinalist financed her second restaurant with a $1.1M SBA — closed in 38 days.

Magnolia Hearth had been profitable since month four — a rarity in Atlanta's restaurant scene — and Jordan had locked down a 4,200 sq-ft historic building in the West End for her second concept. She had signed a 10-year lease that required buildout to start within 45 days.

Three SBA preferred lenders had shown interest, then disappeared into committee for 6, 9, and 11 weeks respectively. Restaurant SBA is notoriously slow — most banks treat the industry as 'hospitality risk' and back-burner the file.

Jordan's broker brought the file to XFundingIntel with a complete package: 30 months of merchant statements, K-1s, the signed lease, an architect's buildout estimate, and a vendor list. The introducer routed it to a regional SBA lender who underwrites restaurants in-house — not at a national committee.

The lender issued a term sheet inside 5 business days at SBA Prime + 2.25, 10-year term, 90% leverage on buildout and equipment. Jordan's broker walked her through the personal-guarantee mechanics and the SBA-required collateral position.

Buildout broke ground on Day 18, before the loan even closed, against a small bridge advance. The full SBA wire hit on Day 38.

Magnolia West opened on schedule, 11 weeks after the SBA closed. Pre-opening reservations sold out the first three weekends. Year-one revenue is tracking to $3.4M — 27% above the underwriting projection.

Jordan hired 32 new staff, including a sous chef poached from a James Beard restaurant in New Orleans. She is already in conversation with the SBA lender on a third concept she's targeting for late 2026.