Funding and Fundraising in the Restaurant Industry: 2025 Trends

Restaurateurs are turning to innovative business models to finance their projects. Food trucks, for example, require lower initial investments and offer greater flexibility, allowing new culinary concepts to be tested with reduced financial risk.

Similarly, dark kitchens, commercial kitchens dedicated exclusively to delivery, reduce the costs associated with running a traditional dine-in restaurant while meeting the growing demand for home delivery. These models allow entrepreneurs to enter the market with lower investments, while offering the flexibility to quickly experiment and adapt their offerings based on customer feedback.

So, what about fundraising rounds?

Fundraising in the restaurant sector is experiencing unprecedented momentum in 2025, reflecting major trends that are redefining investment strategies and business models in the industry.

Recent initiatives by groups such as Big Mamma and Moma Group illustrate this shift towards innovative and rapidly expanding high-end dining concepts.

High-end restaurant groups aim to expand their presence beyond national borders, thereby attracting the attention of investors. The Moma Group, founded in 1997 by Benjamin Patou, is renowned for its iconic establishments such as Lapérouse, Le Boeuf sur le Toit, Mimosa, and Noto.

In November 2023, the group announced the entry of Butler Industries, led by businessman Walter Butler, as a significant minority shareholder. This strategic partnership aims to accelerate Moma Group’s development, with the ambition to open more than 30 new establishments by 2025, notably in the United States, the Middle East, and major European capitals.

Several players in the sector have recently completed significant fundraising rounds to accelerate their growth. For example, the French brand BChef secured an initial funding round of €2.5 million from the FPCI Food Invest II fund. This investment aims to strengthen the company’s operations, develop a new version of the concept, and acquire several flagship locations in a drive-through format.

The restaurant industry is evolving rapidly, adopting new dynamics and strategies to finance modern culinary concepts. Entrepreneurs are exploring innovative approaches to ensure the viability and growth of their establishments.