Gas station & c-store financing.

Gas station financing lives at a specific handful of specialty SBA lenders. Most community banks won't touch fuel — environmental, brand-fuel-supply, and specialty underwriting keep them out. The lenders that specialize in this space close hundreds of these deals per year.

Scenarios I work through in this industry

Gas station / c-store acquisition

Buying an existing branded or unbranded gas station with convenience store. Real estate + business + inventory typically wrapped into a single SBA 7(a) loan.

Multi-store portfolio

Buying multiple stations in a single transaction. SBA 7(a) up to $5M per borrower/affiliate; larger portfolios may need conventional financing or SBA + conventional structure.

New-to-industry buyer

First-time station operator with prior small business experience. Lender scrutiny is higher; equity injection often 15%-25% vs. 10%-15% for experienced operators.

Refinance / cash-out

Refinancing existing acquisition debt to lower rate or extend amortization. SBA 7(a) refi allowed if new loan provides substantial benefit (10%+ payment reduction typical threshold).

Environmental remediation / UST replacement

Working capital or specialty financing for underground storage tank replacement or environmental remediation.

What I actually bring to your deal

Gas station lending is dominated by a small pool of specialty SBA lenders who close nothing but fuel and c-store deals. Community and regional banks that occasionally dabble in the space quote slower, less competitively, and often get spooked by environmental factors that the specialty lenders handle routinely. Which lender you're at is the single biggest factor in your rate and closing certainty.

Common questions

What environmental reports are required for gas station financing?

Every gas station acquisition requires a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment. Almost all require Phase II with soil and groundwater sampling around the underground storage tanks. Sites with historical contamination may require a Comfort Letter from state environmental agencies before lender will close.

Can I finance a gas station acquisition with 10% down?

SBA 7(a) minimum equity injection is 10% for business acquisitions, but gas station lenders often require 15%-25% depending on: buyer's industry experience, station brand, fuel supply agreements, and property characteristics. First-time operators face the highest equity requirements.

Do I need fuel supply agreements in place before closing?

Yes — lenders require fuel supply agreements (either continuation of existing brand contract or new supply agreement) to be signed and in place at closing. Branded stations (Shell, Exxon, BP, etc.) require dealer agreement transfers approved by the fuel brand.

What DSCR is required for gas station SBA loans?

Standard SBA 7(a) DSCR is 1.25x on business acquisitions. Specialty gas station lenders often stress-test at lower fuel margins and higher rate scenarios to size the debt, so the going-in DSCR requirement is often 1.30x-1.40x depending on the specific lender's underwriting.