2026 Complete Guide
5 ways to finance a gas station or c-store: SBA 7(a), commercial mortgages, equipment financing, credit lines and term loans. Amounts, rates and timing for each.
Buying or refinancing the building? SBA 504, bank and CMBS options for the real estate itself are in our guide to gas station and c-store property loans.
Gas Station & Convenience Store financing
Each serves different gas station and c-store needs
Best for: Acquiring a gas station, buying the property, major canopy/tank upgrades $200K+
Best for: Purchasing the real estate under an existing gas station or acquiring a branded location
Best for: Fuel dispensers, canopy upgrades, car wash equipment, coolers, POS systems
Best for: Lottery ticket inventory, tobacco/alcohol stock, fuel inventory gaps, seasonal cash flow
Best for: C-store remodel, food service addition, EV charging installation, any expansion
Side by side
| Loan type | Amount | Rate | Term | Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBA 7(a) Loan | $50K–$5M | 8.5–11.5% APR | 10–25 years | 30–60 days |
| Commercial Mortgage | $500K–$5M+ | 6.5–8% APR | 15–25 years | 30–60 days |
| Equipment Financing | $25K–$500K | 6.5–20% APR | 2–7 years | 1–5 days |
| Business Line of Credit | $25K–$500K | 8.75–45% APR | Revolving | 3–14 days |
| Business Term Loan | $25K–$500K | 7.5–45% APR | 1–5 years | 3–14 days |
Typical ranges, updated September 2026. Your terms depend on your revenue, credit, time in business and the lender.
Worked example
Example: a station replaces eight fuel dispensers — card readers included — for an assumed $200,000, financed in full. Assumptions for illustration only: a 5-year equipment loan at 9% (inside today’s 6.5–20% range), computed with the payment formula of our commercial mortgage calculator, and 100,000 gallons sold a month.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Dispenser replacement (assumed) | $200,000 |
| Equipment loan, 5 years, 9% | $4,152/mo |
| Gallons sold per month | 100,000 |
| Payment per gallon | about 4.2 cents |
Put against fuel margin, the upgrade is a few cents a gallon for five years — worth comparing with what failing card readers or a brand image deadline would cost in lost volume. Ask your fuel supplier whether its agreement includes equipment incentives, and get dispenser quotes before you apply; lenders finance against the invoice. For buying or refinancing the station, see our gas station property guide.
FAQ
Common questions about gas station and convenience store financing
Yes. SBA 7(a) loans are widely used for gas station acquisitions. The key challenge is environmental review: lenders require Phase 1 and sometimes Phase 2 environmental assessments for underground storage tanks. Because of that review, budget 60–90 days for approval rather than the usual 30–60 days. Requires 680+ credit, 10–20% down, and industry experience.
In our example, eight dispensers at an assumed $200,000, financed in full over five years at 9%, cost about $4,152 a month — about 4.2 cents a gallon for a station selling 100,000 gallons a month. Lenders finance against the dispenser quotes.
A Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment is a professional inspection required for gas station financing. It evaluates historical land use, underground storage tanks, and soil contamination risk. Cost: $1,500–$3,500. If contamination is found, a Phase 2 assessment is required. Clean Phase 1 reports speed up loan approval.
Equipment financing is ideal — approval in 1–5 days, 600+ credit, and dispensers serve as collateral. EMV-compliant dispenser upgrades typically cost $5,000–$15,000 per pump. Full canopy replacement runs $50K–$200K. Underground storage tank replacement can reach $300K–$500K and may require SBA financing.
Lines of credit work best for C-store inventory — draw for tobacco, alcohol, lottery, and seasonal goods, repay as products sell. This revolving structure is more cost-effective than term loans for short-cycle inventory. Some lenders offer inventory-specific lines at 8.75–45% APR.
Lenders evaluate inside sales and fuel throughput separately. Strong inside store sales ($30K+/month) with consistent fuel volume (50,000+ gallons/month) support the best loan terms. Fuel margin alone is thin — lenders focus heavily on C-store profitability and EBITDA.
Yes. Business term loans and SBA 7(a) loans both cover EV charging infrastructure installation. Many states offer additional incentives and grants that can reduce your out-of-pocket cost. Equipment financing may cover Level 2 chargers ($2K–$10K each) but DC Fast Chargers require term loan or SBA financing.
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