Gas Station (Basic)
Thin margins, massive volume
Basic gas stations sell fuel to consumers and make money on slim per-gallon margins multiplied by high volume. While fuel margins are tight, the real value is in the underlying real estate and the captive traffic that can be monetized through add-on services. Many owners operate multiple locations to achieve scale.
Avg Revenue
$1.5M
Profit Margin
5%
Acquisition Multiple
2x - 3x
Startup Cost
$300K - $1.0M
Difficulty
3/5
How It Works
You purchase fuel wholesale and sell it at a markup of $0.10-$0.30 per gallon. Revenue is huge but margins are razor thin on fuel alone. Profits come from volume, plus ancillary income like air/vacuum machines, car washes, and lottery. Most operators work with a branded supplier (Shell, BP, etc.) or go unbranded for better margins.
Revenue Range
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 447110 · Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal | Jobs | Franchise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2024 | GA | $3.2M | $3.8M | 8 | — |
| Jun 2023 | WA | $5.0M | $5.9M | 5 | PacWest Energy (Shell) Retail |
| May 2023 | MT | $886K | $1.0M | 6 | — |
| Apr 2023 | MN | $777K | $915K | 3 | — |
| Oct 2022 | WA | $2.2M | $2.6M | 6 | Wilson Oil, Inc. Contract of S |
| Oct 2022 | WA | $4.7M | $5.6M | 6 | Chevron - Retail Supply Contra |
| Sep 2022 | WA | $1.5M | $1.8M | 9 | Christensen Inc. dba Powell Pr |
| Sep 2022 | CO | $495K | $582K | 2 | — |
| Jun 2022 | OR | $2.8M | $3.3M | 12 | AM/PM Mini-Mart Agreement - AR |
| May 2022 | TX | $2.2M | $2.5M | 4 | Sunoco, LLC (Various Brands)Â F |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Pros
- +Massive top-line revenue creates lending opportunities
- +Real estate value provides asset protection
- +Essential service with consistent demand
- +Multiple add-on revenue streams available
Cons
- -Extremely thin margins on fuel (3-7%)
- -Environmental liability and tank compliance costs
- -Requires significant working capital for fuel inventory
Best For
Operators comfortable with high-volume, low-margin businesses
Operating Costs
Fuel inventory is the largest cost, plus labor (2-4 employees), utilities, insurance, tank maintenance, and environmental compliance fees.
SBA Financing Estimator
Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service
Estimates only. Excludes owner compensation, capex, working capital draws, and taxes. Margin assumes average occupancy and volume. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Where to Buy
Browse gas station listings nationwide
Find gas stations for sale across the US
Acquisition Score
Scores margin (30), entry multiple (25), SBA market depth (20), category risk (15), and deal momentum (10). Higher = better acquisition candidate.
Quick Facts
- Category
- physical
- Difficulty
- 3/5
- Buy price
- $3.0M–$4.5M
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
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