Property Type

Convenience Store & Gas Station Loans.

Finance your c-store purchase, gas station acquisition, or NNN investment. SBA for owner-operators, DSCR for investors, and specialized petroleum lending options.

90%
Max LTV (SBA)
5.5–9.5%
Rate Range
$300K–$10M
Loan Amounts
25 yr
Max Term
No credit impact C-store specialists Environmental expertise No upfront fees
PROPERTY TYPES

What Type of C-Store Are You Financing?

Convenience stores and gas stations span from single-pump rural stations to branded NNN investments leased to national chains.

Gas Station + C-Store Combo
Fuel + in-store revenue
The most common format. Fuel canopy with 4–12 pumps plus a convenience store (1,500–4,000 sqft). Revenue split: ~70% fuel, ~30% in-store, but in-store margins are 3–5x higher than fuel. Environmental compliance critical due to underground storage tanks (USTs).
Branded NNN Investment
7-Eleven, Circle K, Shell, BP
Investor-owned properties leased to national brands on 10–20 year NNN leases. Tenant handles all operations. Among the most bankable NNN investments. Cap rates 4.5–7% depending on brand, location, and remaining lease term.
Standalone C-Store
No fuel, food-focused
Convenience stores without gas pumps. Wawa, Sheetz, Buc-ee’s model — food and beverage focused. Growing segment with higher in-store margins and no UST environmental risk. SBA and conventional financing available.
FINANCING OPTIONS

Loan Options for C-Stores & Gas Stations

Environmental compliance and fuel brand agreements add complexity. The right lender makes all the difference.

SBA 504
Owner-operators, 10–15% down
Rate5.5–7.5% fixed
LTVUp to 90%
Term20–25 years
EquipmentIncluded

Covers real estate, UST replacement, canopy, POS systems, and cooler equipment. Environmental clearance required before closing.

SBA 7(a)
Business + RE + inventory
RatePrime + 2.75%
Max Loan$5M
TermUp to 25 years
FlexibilityMulti-purpose

Combine business acquisition, real estate, equipment, initial fuel/merchandise inventory, and working capital in one loan.

DSCR / Conventional
NNN investors, branded tenants
Rate6.5–9.5%
LTV65–75%
Term5–25 years
DocsProperty income (DSCR)

For investors buying NNN c-store properties. National brand tenants (7-Eleven, Circle K) provide credit-quality lease income.

Petroleum Lender
Specialized gas station financing
Rate7–10%
LTV60–75%
UST ExperienceSpecialized
Speed30–45 days

Lenders who specialize in petroleum properties and understand UST compliance, environmental insurance, and fuel brand agreements.

CRITICAL FACTOR

Environmental Compliance for Gas Stations

Underground storage tanks (USTs) are the #1 factor in gas station lending. Every lender requires environmental clearance.

Phase I ESA
Required for all
Reviews site history for contamination risk
Phase II Testing
Usually required
Soil and groundwater sampling around USTs
UST Compliance
EPA + state regs
Tanks must meet current leak detection standards
Tank Age
30-year lifespan
Replacement cost $200K–$500K+ per tank system
Environmental Insurance
Often required
Pollution liability coverage for future leaks
Clean Site Premium
Better rates + LTV
Clean Phase II = significant lending advantage
THE PROCESS

How C-Store Financing Works

01

Share Your Deal

Property details, fuel brand, pump count, UST age, store sqft, monthly fuel gallons, and in-store revenue. Include any environmental reports you have.

02

Submit to BestLoanUSA

Single application with business financials and property details. No hard credit pull at this stage.

03

Advisor Review with Jason

Jason evaluates environmental status, fuel brand agreements, revenue mix, and your experience to recommend the optimal financing path.

04

Lender Matching

We submit to c-store and petroleum-experienced lenders. You receive competing term sheets.

05

Environmental + Appraisal

Phase I and Phase II environmental, plus special-purpose appraisal. Clean environmental is the #1 milestone for loan approval.

06

Close & Operate

SBA: 60–90 days. Conventional: 30–45 days. Petroleum lenders: 30–45 days. Fuel brand transfer may add time.

Ready to Finance Your C-Store or Gas Station?

No credit pull. No commitment. See what financing options are available.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is gas station financing more complex than other CRE?

Underground storage tanks (USTs) create environmental liability that most lenders want thoroughly evaluated. Phase I and Phase II environmental assessments are virtually always required. Tank age, compliance history, and soil/groundwater testing results directly impact loan approval, terms, and available LTV.

Can I buy a gas station with SBA financing?

Yes. SBA 504 and 7(a) are the most common paths for owner-operators. SBA 504 covers the real estate at 10% down with a fixed rate. SBA 7(a) can combine the business, real estate, equipment, and inventory up to $5M. Environmental clearance is required before SBA closing.

How do fuel brand agreements affect financing?

Major fuel brands (Shell, BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil) have supply agreements that may include image standards, equipment requirements, and territory restrictions. Some brands offer dealer financing programs. Branded stations generally get better lending terms than unbranded due to the supply agreement’s stabilizing effect on revenue.

Are NNN gas station investments good?

NNN gas stations leased to national brands (7-Eleven, Circle K, Wawa) are among the most bankable NNN investments. Long lease terms (10–20 years), credit tenants, and essential-service nature make them recession-resistant. Cap rates typically 4.5–7%. Environmental liability transfers to the tenant under NNN structure.

What does UST replacement cost?

Replacing underground storage tanks costs $200K–$500K+ per tank system including removal, soil remediation (if contaminated), new tanks, and canopy/dispenser upgrades. This cost can be rolled into SBA 504 financing. Some states have UST cleanup funds that offset remediation costs.

What revenue metrics matter most?

Lenders look at monthly fuel gallons (50K+ preferred), in-store revenue per sqft, inside gross margins (typically 30–40%), fuel margin per gallon ($0.15–0.30), and total site EBITDA. The in-store operation often determines profitability since fuel margins are thin.