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2 Replies Last post: Mar 12, 2009 3:27 PM by ShortSite

re: Start up business- Gas Franchise

May 26, 2008 10:34 AM

Click to view archie1975's profile Start-up archie1975 2 posts since
May 26, 2008
Hi. Is there anyone who can share thoughts and ideas to start with gas station business that i can do?
I think this could be a good business especially when you are on a very feasible business location (though the gas price are soaring this time) but i know gas is a necessity.

If you could answer some of my questions i would greatly appreciate.

1. Is it a good business to start with? How much money should I spare to begin with?
2. Can I apply for a loan to start with this business? Where and HOw?
3. There are several gas companies, which one should I get?
4. I will do both convenient store and gas station and even car wash, any idea if these could work?

Thank you and i really really appreciate your ideas on these?

Archie

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Click to view Lighthouse24's profile Mogul Lighthouse24 2,396 posts since
Oct 10, 2007
1. Re: re: Start up business- Gas Franchise May 26, 2008 11:40 AM
in response to: archie1975

Owning a gas station can be a good business, but it is a very tough one to start up or take over if you have no experience at it -- lots of potential risks (regulatory and environmental issues, customer safety, employee security, financial management, etc.). and quite a bit of "politics" to play relative to supply, delivery, and pricing.

Despite the high consumer price of gasoline, it doesn't have a particularly high margin for the station owner -- around 20 cents a gallon (on average) right now. Convenience store sales will average about a 30 percent gross margin. So both parts of the business you described depend on traffic volume, and location is the key to that.

A prime location will cost a lot more up front, but with major retail and grocery chains adding gas pumps to their operations (and consumers trying to conserve when possible), competition is stiff and individually owned franchise stations that are in anything other than a prime locations probably won't survive.

There's a book that you may want to check out if you're serious about this endeavor:
http://www.mygasstationguide.net/
(I do not have any affiliation with the author or publisher.)

Hope this helps. Best wishes.
Click to view LUCKIEST's profile SCORE LUCKIEST 7,939 posts since
Aug 6, 2007
2. Re: re: Start up business- Gas Franchise May 26, 2008 2:05 PM
in response to: archie1975
Start up business- Gas Franchise- Archie, welcome to this web site

Lighthouse always has great answers.
Tell us more about yourself - Your background, what you have done, why a gas station??
and where you are located?? How soon do you plan on starting??

Have you developed a Business and Marketing Plan??
A GOOD Bus Plan should answer most of your questions.

Do you know about SCORE?? SCORE is FREE and can help.

Good luck, LUCKIEST
Click to view archie1975's profile Start-up archie1975 2 posts since
May 26, 2008
3. Re: re: Start up business- Gas Franchise May 26, 2008 9:44 PM
in response to: Lighthouse24
Thank you and i am getting the picture now. There is another option that my wife wants us to put up and that is a Day Care Center with a unique marketing strategy. Anyone who got a good idea on this? Thank you again./

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