Since many customers pay for gas station purchases in cash, it can be difficult to document and prove your total income. In most cases, you’ll need to depend on your tax returns to qualify for a loan. Also, if your financial documents show your sales are plummeting or you’re struggling with cash flow, traditional lenders might not approve you.
To make your life a bit easier, we’ve rounded up a list of the best gas station loans. It can give you an idea of what types of lenders and loans are more likely to provide you capital for your venture.
Best Gas Station Business Loans
If you own a gas station or have plans to open one, gas stations loans can help you secure the capital you need to succeed. Even though the industry comes with many regulatory and environmental changes, financing is available.
Written by:Anna Baluch
Our Top Picks for Best Gas Station Business Loans
- Simple application process
- As soon as same day funding
- Open to high-risk industries
- Ideal for plenty of industries
- Approval not solely credit based
- Early payoff discounts
- Multiple loan types available
- Funding in 48h
- Soft credit pull
How to Choose the Best Gas Station Businesses Loan
While it’s difficult to find gas station loans, it’s not impossible. When you shop around, be sure to compare products so you can make the best choice for your unique gas station business. While ranking the best gas station loans in 2022, our experts focused on these factors.
- Loan Features: Loan features include loan terms, loan amounts, and repayment plans. Some lenders are known for lengthy terms, high amounts, and flexible repayment options, which are ideal if you’re a gas station owner.
- Application Process: If you’re running a gas station, there’s a good chance you’re busy and prefer an easy application process with fast funding. You might also appreciate lenders who offer prequalification so you can check your offers without any impact to your credit score.
- Interest rates and fees: Since interest rates and fees will play a vital role in the overall cost of your gas station loan, financing with lower rates and minimal to no fees is your best bet.
- Qualification process: While some lenders have rigorous credit, annual revenue, and business history requirements, others are more lenient and willing to work with newer gas station owners with lower credit scores and less annual revenue.
- Customer support: Customer support can come in many forms: phone, email, live chat, and website tools, like a robust FAQ page and product guides.
- Online user reviews: Reviews and ratings on independent, third-party sites like Trustpilot and Better Business Bureau (BBB) reveal the reputation of the gas station lenders.
- Perks and Bonuses: Extra like hardship assistance, business advising, and credit score monitoring can make a gas station loan more valuable.
Best Gas Station Business Loans for 2022 - Full Overview
1. Credibly: Best For Long-Term Business Expansion Loans
Credibly is a Michigan-based online lender that offers long-term business expansion loans. If you’re an established gas station business with plans to expand, a long-term business expansion loan can be a good option. You may be able to lock in up to $5,000,000 in funding with lengthy loan terms ranging from 3 to 10 years.
Pros
Cons
Credibly doesn’t disclose its credit score, annual revenue, and minimum time in business requirements for its long-term business expansion loan. However, you can borrow anywhere from $150,000 to $5,000,000 with repayment terms between 3 to 10 years. APRs range from 8% to 25%.
The Bottom Line
A long-term business expansion loan can be beneficial if you’ve been around for a while and are ready to take your venture to the next level.
Try CrediblyRead the full Credibly review for more details
2. Fora Financial: Best For Merchant Cash Advances
Fora Financial is a fintech lender with lenient requirements. If you collect credit card and debit card payments from your gas station customers, you may want to explore its merchant cash advance (MCA). You’ll receive an upfront payment in exchange for a portion of your future card sales. You can pay back your advance via a percentage of your daily sales or fixed withdrawals from your bank account.
Pros
Cons
To get a Fora merchant cash advance, you’ll likely need a credit score of at least 500, $12,000 in minimum earnings, and a business history of six months. Loan amounts range from
$5,000 and $500,000.
The Bottom Line
If you’re having trouble qualifying for traditional loans, a merchant cash advance from Fora may make sense, especially if you have a decent amount of customers that pay for their gas and convenience items with cards.
Try Fora FinanciaRead the full Fora Financia review for more details
3. Biz2Credit: Best For Working Capital Loans
Biz2Credit working capital loans can help you cover everyday expenses. These might include utilities, inventory, and payroll. You can borrow up to $2 million and repay your loan daily, weekly, or bi-weekly.
Pros
Cons
Biz2Credit’s working capital loans range from $25,000 to $2 million with varying repayment terms. For a chance at approval, you need a minimum credit score of 575, at least $250,000 in annual revenue, and an 18-month business track record.
The Bottom Line
If you have good credit and need cash to pay for the day-to-day costs of running your gas station, Biz2Credit’s working capital loans may be a good option.
Try Biz2CreditRead the full Biz2Credit review for more details
4. BlueVine: Best For Business Line of Credit
BlueVine is a financial technology company that specializes in lines of credit. With a line of credit, you can borrow money whenever you’d like up to your set credit limit. If you’re unsure of exactly how much funding you need for your gas station, this loan should be on your radar.
Pros
Cons
Lines of credit from BlueVine range from $5,000 to $250,000 with a starting APR of 4.8%. BlueVine requires a minimum credit score of 600, at least $120,000 in annual revenue, and a business history of six months or more.
The Bottom Line
If flexible financing is important for your gas station business, a BlueVine line of credit is a smart choice. This is particularly true if you have good credit and can get approved for a competitive rate.
Try BlueVineRead the full BlueVine review for more details
5.National Funding: Best For Equipment Financing
Based in California, National Funding is a small business loan specialist with a focus on bad credit borrowers. Since you’ll need to buy gas pumps and other equipment for your gas station business, its equipment financing option is worth exploring.
Pros
Cons
Equipment loans from National Funding go up to $150,000 with terms ranging from 2 to 5 years. Eligibility criteria includes a minimum credit score of 500, at least $100,000 in annual revenue and 12 months or more in business.
The Bottom Line
If you need funds to buy or lease equipment for your gas station, National Funding equipment loans can help you out.
Try National FundingRead the full National Funding review for more details
6. SmartBiz: Best For SBA Loans
SmartBiz aims to deliver affordable lending to small businesses in an effort to support local economies. It’s an SBA-approved lender, meaning it offers SBA loans that are partially guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration. There are several types of SBA loans which come with low rates and lengthy repayment terms of up to 25 years
Pros
Cons
SmartBiz SBA loans range from $30,000 to $5 million with repayment terms between 10 and 25 years. Interest rates cap out at 7%. To get approved, you must have a credit score of at least 640 and a business history of two years or more.
The Bottom Line
As long as you have good credit and have owned your gas station for at least two years, SBA loans from SmartBiz can lower your overall cost of borrowing.
Try SmartBizRead the full SmartBiz review for more details
Best Gas Station Business Loans - Features Comparisons
|
Company |
Min. Credit Score |
Min. Time in Business |
Min. Annual Revenue |
Loan Amount |
Interest Rate |
|
Credibly |
Not disclosed |
Not disclosed |
Not disclosed |
$150,000 - $5,000,000 |
8% to 25% |
|
Fora Financial |
500 |
6 months |
$12,000 |
$5,000-$500,000 |
Not disclosed |
|
Biz2Credit |
575 |
18 months |
$250,000 |
$25,000- $2 million |
Not disclosed |
|
BlueVine |
600 |
6 months |
$120,000 |
$5,000-$250,000 |
Starts at 4.8% |
|
National Funding |
500 |
12 months |
$100,000 |
Up to $150,000 |
Not disclosed |
|
SmartBiz |
640 |
2 years |
Not disclosed |
$30,000 to $5 million |
4.75% - 7% |
What are the costs of running a gas station?
Opening a gas station comes with a high financial barrier to entry. At a minimum, you should secure $300,000 in financing to get your venture up and running. The funds will need to be used to buy the location, business insurance, registration, licenses and permits, marketing materials, gas, payroll and more.
The ongoing costs of your gas station will include utilities, payroll, and inventory. You’ll likely pay anywhere from $50 to $70 per 20-gallon barrel of fuel. Of course, this figure can easily increase depending on the environment. In addition, you may be on the hook for franchise royalties and fees.
Types of loans available to gas station owners
There are a number of loans you can take out as a gas station owner, including:
- Lines of Credit: A business line of credit works a lot like a credit card: you can withdraw as much or as little as you’d like up to a set credit limit.
- SBA Loans: SBA loans come with low interest rates and long repayment terms.The SBA 7(a) loan is ideal if you’d like to buy or expand your gas station as you may get approved for up to $5 million.
- Equipment Loans: If you need funding to purchase or lease new or used equipment for your gas station, equipment financing can help you out.
- Merchant Cash Advance: A merchant cash advance can be a smart choice if your gas station has a high volume of credit card sales.
- Term Loans: Term loans provide you with a lump sum of money upfront that you repay over time via fixed monthly payments or installments.
How to use gas station loans?
The most common uses for gas station loans are as follows:
- Working Capital: Working capital refers to the ongoing, day-to-day expenses you may incur to run your gas station. Some examples include rent, utilities, payroll, insurance, fuel, and maintenance.
- Expansion: If you own one successful gas station, you might want to expand your business. With some help from a loan, you can move to a larger location, open additional gas stations, buy a gas station that already exists, and hire additional employees.
- Inventory: If your gas station sells convenience products like snacks and drinks in addition to gas, a loan can ensure you always have enough inventory at your disposal. Just make sure you do some research and find out exactly how much inventory you need.
- Upgrade Equipment: It’s important to keep your storage tanks, fueling systems, point-of-sale systems, and other equipment up-to-date. A gas station loan can help you do just that.
- Emergencies: Since emergency expenses are bound to pop up when you least expect them, a gas station loan is a great way to gain some peace of mind.
How to Qualify for a gas station business loan?
To increase your chances of getting approved for a gas station loan, be sure to:
- Check Your Credit: Make sure you know where you stand credit wise. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to pull free copies of your reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Dispute any errors or inaccuracies you find as they may bring down your credit score.
- Solidify Your Business Plan: Most lenders will ask to see your business plan so they can learn more about your gas station and find out what you plan to do with the loan proceeds. Do your best to provide them with a plan that’s clear, compelling, and professional.
- Shop Around: Not all gas station loans are created equal. That’s why you should do some research and only apply to options with qualification requirements that you meet. There’s no point in applying for a loan that requires good credit if your credit is fair or poor.
- Develop Relationships with Lenders: Sometimes, it’s all about who you know. Take the time to build relationships with lenders long before you apply for their gas station loans.
How to apply for a gas station loan?
Here are some tips to keep in mind when you apply for a gas station loan.
Gather Financial Documents
In most cases, lenders will want to see a variety of financial documents, such as:
Find the Right Loan
To start your search for the best gas station loan, visit our list of the best gas station loans above. Explore each lender’s website and don’t hesitate to contact them directly if you have any questions or something doesn’t make sense. Once you compare rates, terms, fees, and perks, you’ll be able to choose the right one.
Fill Out the Application
Most lenders will allow you to apply for a gas station loan online. While a merchant cash advance comes with a quick, easy application process, applying for an SBA loan, for example, will take more time. Before you submit any application, double check your work for errors to avoid delays with approval and funding.
Closing Thoughts
Opening a gas station can be an exciting, lucrative venture. After all, gas stations are always in demand. As long as you have sufficient capital at your disposal, you can succeed, especially if you earn additional revenue from convenience store items, car washes, and other extras.
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About the Author
Anna Baluch
Freelance copywriter who enjoys writing for large publications as well as startups, small to medium sized businesses. Anna Baluch is a personal finance writer with over 7 years of experience covering topics related to mortgages, debt management, student loans, personal loans, and more.
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