Likely Buyers
- Regional store groupAdds a corner to a chain of stores it already supplies and staffs.
- Single store ownerWants to move up to a fuel site with inside sales.
- Real estate investorBuys the property and leases the store to an operator.
Two businesses under one roof
Buyers look at fuel and inside sales apart. Fuel brings people in but earns a thin margin per gallon, while snacks, drinks, tobacco and lottery sales earn more per dollar.
Show both lines by month so a buyer can see the pattern and not just a yearly total.
Supplier contracts matter
Many stations are tied to a fuel supplier by contract, sometimes with branding and a repayment clause. A buyer will want to know what transfers and what it costs to exit.
Lottery, tobacco and beer sales also depend on licenses and good standing, which the buyer has to arrange for themselves.
Underground tanks and the site
Tanks are the part buyers worry about most. They ask for tank registration, testing records and any past leak history. Read the storage tank registration guide early.
Lenders will often want an environmental review of a fuel site before approving a loan.
Owning the dirt or renting it
If you own the property, you can sell it with the store, keep it as a landlord or sell it separately. Each path changes your taxes and your price, as our note on owning the building explains.
Records to pull together
- Monthly fuel gallons and inside sales for three years
- Supplier agreements and any brand incentives
- Tank registration and testing records
- A list of staff, hours and pay
Sales taxes and cash handling get a close look, so keep both clean. When you are ready, request a free value check.