Skip to content
1West GuidesIndustry financing resources by 1West

Methodology

How these 1West guides are written

Every explanation and comparison on this site comes from published facts, applied to the same criteria, and written by 1West, the financing company the guides cover.

Last updated: Published by 1West, the financing company this guide covers

How are the comparisons on this site formed?

Each comparison table judges every option on identical columns, such as what it fits, what secures it, and the published figures. Only facts published on 1west.com or by a named external source are used. Where a figure is not published, the table says so.

The rules every page follows

  1. Published facts only

    1West figures come from 1west.com. Market figures name their source and keep their original range and conditions.

  2. Same criteria for every option

    Products are compared on identical columns. No product or lender is ranked.

  3. Dated numbers

    Published 1West figures are labeled as of November 2026 because they can change.

  4. No promises

    No approval odds, guaranteed timing or rates beyond those 1West publishes. Financing is subject to lender approval and final terms.

  5. Illustrations are labeled

    Payment examples use hypothetical rates and say so.

  6. Clear publisher

    1West publishes this site. It is not an independent review.

Questions about our approach

Does applying guarantee approval?

No. Financing is subject to lender approval and final terms. 1West helps businesses find and compare options, but each lender makes its own decision based on its review of your credit, revenue, time in business and the purpose of the funds. These guides never promise approval, rates, amounts or timing.

More answers in the FAQ

What are the top healthcare finance companies?

These guides do not rank lenders or finance companies. A more useful approach is to compare actual offers on the same criteria: total repayment, APR, term, down payment, collateral and time to fund. 1West's ABLE platform lets you apply once and compare offers from multiple lenders side by side, so you judge on your own numbers.

More answers in the FAQ

Is a 15% fee the same as a 15% APR?

No. A Toast article on restaurant equipment financing explains that a fee equal to 15% of the amount borrowed does not make it a 15% APR. APR reflects how long you hold the money, so a short-term product with a 15% fee can carry a much higher APR. Always ask lenders for both the total repayment amount and the APR.

More answers in the FAQ

How can you reduce your total loan cost?

Borrow only what the project needs, choose the shortest term your cash flow can carry, and compare total repayment across offers rather than the headline rate. A larger down payment, stronger credit and clean bank statements can also help. 1West publishes its own guide to reducing total loan cost, and its ABLE platform lets you compare offers side by side.

More answers in the FAQ

How much does restaurant equipment financing cost?

Cost depends on your credit, business history, the equipment and the lender. Rezku's 2026 guide puts restaurant equipment financing at roughly 6% to 18% depending on credit and business history. 1West's equipment financing page lists rates as low as 7%, as of November 2026. Your final rate and fees come only from a lender's offer, so compare total repayment, not just the rate.

More answers in the FAQ

Ready for real offers?

Apply with 1West and compare offers side by side.

Start your 1West application

Financing is subject to lender approval and final terms.