Best Places to Lease Restaurant Equipment in Canada (2026) | Lease, Rent & Finance with TFI

Leasing restaurant equipment in Canada has become the preferred strategy for many new and growing foodservice operations. By preserving working capital and converting large upfront costs into predictable monthly payments, leasing allows operators to open with premium equipment while keeping cash reserves for inventory, payroll, and unexpected expenses.

This guide ranks the best places to lease restaurant equipment in Canada and explains when leasing, renting, or buying makes the most financial sense for your concept.

Quick Comparison: Leasing vs Buying vs Renting Restaurant Equipment

Most Canadian operators choose between three paths depending on their cash position, concept maturity, and risk tolerance.

For most startups and expanding operators in Canada, lease-to-own offers the best balance of cash flow preservation, tax benefits, and eventual ownership.

Top Restaurant Equipment Leasing Provider in Canada

#1. TFI Food Equipment Solutions + Econolease Partnership

Best For: Cafés, QSRs, fast casual restaurants, convenience stores, and independent operators across Ontario and Atlantic Canada who want fast approvals, flexible terms, and equipment that drives profit.

TFI Food Equipment Solutions has partnered with Econolease, Canada’s leading equipment financing provider, to offer streamlined lease-to-own and rental programs specifically designed for foodservice operators. This partnership focuses on commercial kitchen and foodservice equipment, with an understanding of ROI timelines for high-profit programs like soft serve, fryers, and coffee systems. Learn more at: Restaurant Equipment Leasing & Financing in Canada.

Key Brands Available Through TFI Leasing:

Explore brands and categories via TFI Food Equipment Solutions.

Why TFI + Econolease Is Ranked #1

Fast Approvals (24 Hours or Less)

Most operators receive approval decisions within 24 hours, and the digital application process eliminates lengthy paperwork. Startups and established businesses alike can qualify for competitive rates.

Flexible Payment Plans

Choose from monthly, weekly, or seasonal payment structures to match your cash flow patterns. Terms typically range from 12 to 60 months, with lease-to-own buyout options at the end of the term. See current structures in Restaurant Equipment Financing in Canada: Lease, Rent or Buy.

100% Tax-Deductible Operating Expense

In Canada, lease payments are generally treated as an operating expense rather than a capital purchase, meaning you can usually deduct the entire monthly payment from taxable income each year. This can provide faster tax relief than the Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) depreciation schedule used for purchased equipment. For a full discussion of leasing vs buying, see Leasing vs. Buying Restaurant Equipment Canada (2026 Guide).

Complete Program Support Beyond Financing

Unlike standalone leasing companies that simply approve loans, TFI provides:

Online Lease Calculator

Use the Econolease–TFI calculator to estimate monthly payments based on equipment cost and term length before applying: TFI Lease Calculator.

Other Restaurant Equipment Financing Options in Canada

TFI Rental Program: Month-to-Month Flexibility

Best For: Pop-ups, seasonal operations, concept pilots, and operators who need flexibility without long-term commitments.

TFI’s rental program provides access to used and demo equipment with terms ranging from month-to-month to 12–60 months. This is ideal when you are testing demand, running a seasonal location, or need to prove profitability before committing to a lease-to-own agreement.

Key features:

Learn more: Commercial Food Equipment Rentals in Canada.

Traditional Bank Loans and Credit Unions

Best For: Established operators with strong credit, existing banking relationships, and surplus working capital.

Bank loans allow you to purchase equipment outright and own it from day one, which builds immediate equity on your balance sheet. However, loans often require:

While you will usually pay less in total cost over time compared to leasing, the upfront cash requirement and reduced flexibility make loans better suited for established businesses with predictable cash flow.

Government Grants and Small Business Funding Programs

Some Canadian operators may qualify for government-backed financing or grants to help offset equipment costs.

Examples to explore:

These programs can complement leasing by funding portions of your startup costs, but approval timelines are typically longer than commercial lease-to-own options.

Leasing vs Buying vs Renting: Decision Framework

When to Choose Lease-to-Own

Lease-to-own is usually the best choice when:

Example scenario:

A QSR operator needs a $30,000 Henny Penny pressure fryer system. Instead of paying $30,000 upfront, they lease for roughly $800/month over 36 months, preserving working capital for inventory, staffing, and marketing while deducting each monthly payment from taxable income.

For more examples and numbers, see Restaurant Equipment Financing in Canada: Lease, Rent or Buy and Leasing vs. Buying Restaurant Equipment Canada.

When to Choose Rental

Rental is typically the best choice when:

Example scenario:

A food truck operator rents a soft serve machine for the summer (May–September) at about $400/month. At the end of the season, they return the equipment or convert to a lease-to-own plan if demand was strong. See: Commercial Food Equipment Rentals in Canada.

When to Buy Outright

Buying (cash or loan) is generally best when:

Example scenario:

An established multi-unit operator with $50,000 in reserves buys a combi oven outright for $18,000, avoiding interest charges and immediately adding the asset to their balance sheet.

Tax Implications: Leasing vs Buying in Canada

Understanding Canadian tax treatment is critical when deciding between leasing and buying.

Leasing: Operating Expense (OpEx)

Lease payments are typically treated as an operating expense, which usually means:

For more detail, see Leasing vs. Buying Restaurant Equipment Canada (2026 Guide).

Buying: Capital Cost Allowance (CCA)

When you buy equipment, you claim depreciation through the Capital Cost Allowance system:

Refer to TFI’s guide on Leasing vs. Buying Restaurant Equipment and the Canada Revenue Agency’s CCA guide for specifics.

GST/HST Considerations

Both leasing and buying are subject to GST/HST:

Always consult a Canadian accountant or tax advisor.

Best Equipment Categories to Lease in Canada

Certain types of restaurant equipment deliver faster ROI and are particularly well-suited to lease-to-own programs.

High-Profit Equipment: Soft Serve, Slush, and Frozen Beverages

Soft serve and slush machines often generate 80%+ gross profit margins and can achieve 6–12 month payback periods, making them ideal leasing candidates. A $15,000 soft serve system leased at about $400/month can typically pay for itself through revenue before the lease term is half over.

Commercial Coffee Machines

Automated bean-to-cup coffee systems from Franke deliver similar ROI profiles: high margins, fast payback, and minimal labour requirements. Leasing a $20,000 Franke A800 at around $550/month allows cafés and QSRs to launch profitable coffee programs without depleting working capital. See Franke Commercial Coffee Machines and Restaurant Equipment Leasing & Financing in Canada.

Fryers and Combi Ovens

Core cooking equipment like Henny Penny pressure fryers and combi ovens are mission-critical and expensive upfront, making them strong lease candidates. Leasing protects cash flow while ensuring you have reliable, energy-efficient equipment that can lower operating costs over time. Explore options via Restaurant Equipment Financing Options in Toronto.

Full Kitchen Packages for New Concepts

TFI can structure lease-to-own packages that include multiple pieces of equipment—fryers, grills, ovens, soft serve machines, coffee systems—into a single monthly payment, simplifying budgeting for new restaurant openings.

Browse the full product range: TFI Food Equipment Solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the best place to lease restaurant equipment in Canada?

TFI Food Equipment Solutions, in partnership with Econolease, is one of the leading lease-to-own providers for Canadian foodservice operators. They offer fast approvals, flexible terms (typically 12–60 months), and complete program support including installation, training, and service, with coverage across Ontario and Atlantic Canada. See: Restaurant Equipment Leasing & Financing in Canada.

Is it better to lease or buy restaurant equipment in Canada?

For most new and growing operators, leasing is often better because it preserves working capital, offers fully deductible monthly payments (subject to tax advice), and lets you open with premium equipment without draining cash reserves. Buying can be better for established operators with surplus capital who want to minimize total cost and own assets outright.

Can I lease equipment as a startup with no credit history?

Yes. Through TFI’s partnership with Econolease, many startups and new businesses can be approved, often within 24 hours. The equipment itself typically serves as collateral, and approvals consider the business plan and equipment type, not just a long credit history.

What happens at the end of a lease-to-own term?

At the end of the lease term, you can usually purchase the equipment for a nominal buyout fee (for example, a fixed dollar amount or a small percentage of the original cost, depending on structure). This allows you to build equity while enjoying the cash flow benefits of leasing during the term.

Ready to Lease Restaurant Equipment and Preserve Your Cash Flow?

Leasing allows you to open or expand your foodservice operation with premium, profit-driving equipment while keeping working capital available for inventory, payroll, marketing, and growth.

Take the next step with TFI:

Partnering with Canada’s leading specialist in high-ROI restaurant equipment ensures you get the right gear, the right financing, and the right support to maximize profitability from day one. If you want more information, reach out via our contact form!