Unexpected expenses, slower sales, and cash shortfalls happen in every brewery.
A financing contingency plan prepares you for these moments by identifying backup funding options and decision triggers in advance, so cash shortfalls become manageable events, not emergencies.
- Identify your most likely cash flow risks
Stress-test your business by asking “what if” questions—what if sales dip below plan, the chiller goes down, raw material costs spike, or a distributor pays late—and quantify the potential cash impact. - Map your financing backstops ahead of time
Understand when and how to use working capital lines of credit, equipment lines, or short-term funding to bridge gaps without disrupting operations or growth plans. - Define the role of owners and investors—before it’s emotional
Clarify if, when, and how owner or investor cash infusions would be used, including limits, repayment expectations, and how those funds fit into the long-term capital structure. - Proactively manage lender relationships
Communicate early with your loan officer, share forecasts and contingency plans, and explore options like temporary covenant relief, payment deferrals, or term modifications before cash stress becomes visible in the bank account.
Do This Next:
- Watch the short explainer video below – How to Build a Financing Contingency Plan
- Get the Brewery Profit Brief – weekly tips to run a more profitable brewery
