Category Archives: Gas stations and C-Stores

Florida Gas Station Loan Closes

Senior Associate Ryan Dumas is pleased to announce the closing of a loan for a gas station in central Florida. The loan funded at 86% LTV (loan to value), including inventory costs. These were very favorable terms, and we are proud of this high leverage loan. In addition, the interest rates were extremely competitive.

This loan closed, despite two hurricanes coming through the area. Fortunately, neither one materially affected the gas station.

Ryan had this to say about the deal, “We had a great team collaborating on this deal. My client was working with an experienced gas station broker and also a very responsive attorney. We were able to quickly get the documents needed from the sellers and the buyer. Therefore, our lender was motivated, too. As a result, the lender quickly approved and scheduled the closing. I hope we can work with lots of these guys again, as they are bright, experienced business people.”

How to Set Yourself Up for a Quick Closing

• Organized Documents: Sellers and buyers need to have their vital documents in tip-top shape. If you think a business loan is coming down the pike, gather your materials. Create your own personal financial statement. Organize documents about businesses you own, like tax returns and financials. Contact your accountant and get up-to-date financials on all your businesses, even if it is not your practice to receive monthly financials.

•Engage Professionals: Consult with an attorney and your accountant before making business decisions. Call our GRP Capital Team before you even sign a PSA. Ask your advisers, “Can I afford this? What is a reasonable price? Do you think the timing is good now?”

• Get insurance in place now: The commercial property insurance marketplace is very volatile right now. Start the process of finding insurance immediately and figure out if you can afford the costs. As soon as you can, obtain insurance certificates. Insurance issues are one of the prime reasons for delayed closing. Waiting to purchase insurance until the last minute usually backfires.

•Be Flexible: If a quick closing is a priority, be ready to pivot. If an appraisal comes in short, buyers and sellers may have to renegotiate. Sometimes we have to tweak the structure of the loan, especially for SBA approval.

Our GRP Capital team specializes in finding the right lender for each project. We save our clients time and money, as we research the best choices for their funding sources. Our experience allows our clients to find funding that is project-appropriate and will allow for sufficient cash flow. Whether you are looking to refinance, purchase or engage in construction, we would love to discuss your business plans with you. If you are considering becoming a first-time (or second or third time!) buyer, we can assist you.

Gas Station Loan FAQ’s

Are you in the market for a gas station loan? There are lots of things to consider if you are seeking finance. Gas stations and convenience stores continue to be solid investments, seemingly recession and inflation-proof. GRP Capital is busily working right now on placing several gas station loans, including purchases, refinances and construction.

What do I need to know right now about a gas station loan?

• Lenders are still fans of gas stations and C-stores: Lenders consider gas stations and C-stations to be essential businesses. They have proved their resilience in these somewhat volatile economic times. This gives us more options to find you good, solid lending partners.

• Include Revenue Enhancements in your Business Plan: Many of our lending partners are still very keen on gas station loans and particularly gas station upgrade loans. They want to see your plans to maintain or even increase profitability. As a result, they are willing to finance upgrades like car washes, improvements of indoor retail offerings and adding charging stations for electric vehicles.

• Take advantage of rural business financing if applicable: Did you know that the United States Department of Agriculture offers loan guarantees for small businesses in rural areas? If your store is located near a highway but outside the metro center, this might be an option for you. USDA loans offer rates that might be more affordable for certain borrowers

Why GRP Capital Can Help Gas Station Owners:

• We Do the Work So You Can Do Yours: Lots of small business owners work hard. However, we know that gas station/C-store ownership and management is particularly labor intensive. Our clients can rely on us to fill out documents, review them, obtain signatures, and set up site visits, all while working in partnership with the lender. We also have relationships with professionals like environmental engineers which can help us make the loan process go more smoothly. Ultimately, we work hard securing your funding, so you can work hard running your business.

• We Know the Gas Station Business: We have worked with a variety of clients who own gas stations and C-stores. We have expertise in funding the purchases, refinances and construction of gas stations and C-stores. We understand the nature of the business and many of its challenges, including staff retention. As a result, we can make the case for your business, showing its profitability and its potential for future profitability.

Contact Our Team For Your Financing Needs:  

If you are considering a loan for purchase, refinance or construction and would like to discuss your plans, feel free to contact our team. We have a network of lenders and can find the best match for your funding needs, saving your time and money, so you can focus on running your business.

Gas station

What About a Gas Station Loan to Upgrade?

A gas station loan may be just what your business needs to enhance revenue. Many of our lending partners are still very keen on gas station loans and particularly gas station upgrade loans. Gas stations and convenience stores continue to be solid investments, seemingly recession and inflation-proof. GRP Capital is busily working right now on placing several gas station loans, including purchases, refinances and construction.

What Upgrades should I consider with a Gas Station Loan?

• Luring Customers inside to spend more: While gas purchases are important, owners can seriously increase revenues when they encourage add-on spending from customers. Inside store sales are a key example of this add-on spending. Car washes are also considered add-on spending. Having a variety of tasty treats, do-it-yourself beverage stations and prepared foods are all enticing. It’s important to create the infrastructure to offer more variety (food stations, etc.). However, equally important is finding and maintaining sufficient workers to tend to these new areas.

• Car Washes: Car washes are a terrific gas station upgrade. They do require maintenance and increased water and supply costs. But these can be offset with enough volume. We are also seeing gas station owners offering initial car wash specials or encouraging loyalty programs.

• Charging Stations: Gas stations can still be relevant to drivers of electric vehicles through the installation of charging stations. Additionally, there is often matching governmental funding for creating charging stations. Most importantly, drivers of electric cars have to linger at the charging stations for a little while. Therefore, they have time to kill, time which can be spent shopping in your retail area.

Why GRP Capital Can Help Gas Station Owners:

• We Do the Work So You Can Do Yours: Lots of small business owners work hard. However, we know that gas station/C-store ownership and management is particularly labor intensive. Our clients can rely on us to fill out documents, review them, obtain signatures, and set up site visits, all while working in partnership with the lender. We also have relationships with professionals like environmental engineers which can help us make the loan process go more smoothly. Ultimately, we work hard securing your funding, so you can work hard running your business.

• We Know the Gas Station Business: We have worked with a variety of clients who own gas stations and C-stores. We have expertise in funding the purchases, refinances and construction of gas stations and C-stores. We understand the nature of the business and many of its challenges, including staff retention. As a result, we can make the case for your business, showing its profitability and its potential for future profitability.

Contact Our Team For Your Financing Needs:  

If you are considering a loan for purchase, refinance or construction and would like to discuss your plans, feel free to contact our team. We have a network of lenders and can find the best match for your funding needs, saving your time and money, so you can focus on running your business.

Gas Station Financing Is Still a Solid Business Plan!

If you are looking for gas station financing, we have very good news for you. Gas station financing is still a solid business plan. In fact, one of the first loans that the GRP Capital team closed after the COVID-19 pandemic began was a gas station development loan.

Why Lenders Like Gas Station Financing:

• Recession Proof/Inflation Proof/Pandemic Proof: Many aspects of the American economy have changed since 2020. But lenders agree: gas stations and convenience stores are stable businesses, especially when well-managed. The fuel supply entity with retail space is a truly essential business, adaptable and popular, too.

• We Find Lenders who Know this Business: Every lender is different and has different wish lists for their loans. Some want their clients to live in certain states; other lenders prefer certain industries while avoiding others. We know which lenders are right for your loan and we go to them first to request a term sheet. When we have a few competing term sheets, we show them to our clients. Ultimately, our clients choose their lenders, but we save time and money by sourcing the lenders who are interested in their type of projects.

• Fuel Supply Agreements: Lenders like the stability of fuel supply agreements. These agreements set up an established “cut” for the supplier. As a result, there is a measure of protection for both the supplier and the gas station owner. No matter what the price of the fuel is, the owner will still make money. This built-in stability makes a gas station loan attractive for many lenders. We also have been able to assist our clients in obtaining favorable fuel supply agreements, which will positively impact their profitability for a long time.

Contact Our Team For Your Financing Needs:  

If you are considering a loan for purchase, refinance or construction and would like to discuss your plans, feel free to contact our team. We have a network of lenders and can find the best match for your funding needs, saving your time and money, so you can focus on running your business.