Guide · Updated October 2026
What is my business worth?
A gas station or c-store is worth what it reliably earns for an owner, times a multiple, plus the property if you own it. Tap a section to open it.
The short answer
Value = (owner's cash flow × multiple) + property + inventory at cost. In our recent valuations single stores usually land around 2 to 2.5 times owner's cash flow.
1. Owner's cash flow (SDE)
Start with net profit, then add back your own salary, depreciation, interest the buyer won't take on, one-time costs and personal expenses. Add-backs must be documented; lenders work from your tax returns.
2. The multiple
Most single stores fall between 2 and 2.5 times SDE, within about 1.5 to 3. Steady growth, strong inside sales, clean books, a long lease or owned property and compliant tanks push it up. Falling volume, undocumented income or old tanks pull it down.
3. The property
If you own the land and building, they are valued on their own, ideally by appraisal, and added on top. If you lease, the lease term matters: the buyer's lender wants enough years left to cover the loan.
4. What drives earnings
Margin matters more than gallons. In our worksheets fuel ran about 15 to 35 cents a gallon (about 23 typical) and inside sales about 25% blended, with food service near 40% and tobacco 10 to 15%. Lottery, ATM, rebates and car wash income add up too.
5. A quick example
Illustration only. Owner takes home $200,000 a year: business $400,000 to $500,000, plus owned property appraised at $600,000, so roughly $1.0 to $1.1 million plus inventory.