Guide · Updated October 2026

How to sell a business

Selling a station or c-store means selling its fuel volume, inside sales, supply agreement and licenses, and often the land and tanks. Here is the path we run with owners, from the first honest number to handing over the keys. Tap a step to open it.

1. Know what it's worth

Buyers value the business at its yearly owner's cash flow (SDE) times a multiple, in our recent valuations usually about 2 to 2.5 times. If you own the property, it is appraised and added on top. See what a gas station is worth or get a free value range.

2. Get your paperwork ready

2 to 3 years of tax returns and P&Ls, plus year to date
POS reports by category and monthly fuel gallons
Fuel supply agreement and lease
Licenses, plus tank and environmental records

Income you can't document is hard for a buyer to pay for, because their lender won't count it.

3. Check supply and environmental first

Read your supply agreement for years and gallons left, whether it can be assigned, any money owed back if it ends early, and any right of first refusal. Lenders almost always order a Phase I environmental review, so have tank registrations, inspections and any closure letters ready.

4. Market it quietly

No sign and no public address. Buyers sign an NDA and show proof of funds before they see the name or numbers. Buyers include owner-operators, families adding a store, regional chains and private-equity-backed groups, who we work with closely.

5. Offers and the LOI

A serious offer comes as a Letter of Intent: price and what it includes, deposit, a due diligence period (often 30 to 60 days), financing, inventory at cost and a closing date. The highest price is not always the best offer; proof of funds and a lender already engaged count too.

6. Due diligence, closing and handover

Expect the buyer's lender, fuel supplier and landlord to sign off, and licenses to transfer. At closing you count inventory, read the fuel, hand over licenses and stay on briefly for training. Six to eight months from listing to closing is a fair average.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to sell a gas station?

Six to eight months from listing to closing is a fair average. Good stores priced right often see offers in the first month.

How do I sell my store without staff or customers finding out?

Sell confidentially: no sign, no public address, and every buyer signs an NDA before seeing the name or numbers.

Do I have to sell the real estate with the business?

No. You can sell both, sell the business and lease the property to the buyer, or keep the land.

What paperwork do buyers ask for?

Two to three years of tax returns and P&Ls, POS and fuel-volume reports, your supply agreement, lease, licenses and tank records.