Gallons get quoted first because they are easy to say. They are also the least useful number on their own. A station selling large volume at a thin margin can earn less than a smaller store with a strong inside business.
Profitability comes from four places: fuel gross profit, inside gross profit, other income, and cost control. Test each separately.
Fuel gross profit, not gallons
Multiply monthly gallons by actual cents-per-gallon margin after credit card fees and any supply surcharge. Ask for twelve to twenty-four months of data, because Florida volume moves with season, road construction, and new competition.
Then read the supply agreement. Pricing method, remaining term, minimum volume, and image loan repayment all sit between the rack price and your real cost. A margin quoted without those deductions is not your margin.
Inside sales, mix, and other income
Look at inside gross profit rather than inside revenue, and get the category mix. Cigarettes and lottery move volume at thin margins, while packaged beverages, beer, and prepared food carry much better ones. Two stores with identical inside revenue can differ sharply in profit because of mix.
Add other income: car wash, air and vacuum, ATM, money services, propane exchange, and any lease income from a co-tenant. These lines are small individually and meaningful together, and they are often the easiest place for a new operator to improve.
The costs that never appear on a flyer
Labor and payroll taxes, credit card fees, utilities in the Florida heat, insurance, property taxes, repairs on dispensers and coolers, tank compliance and testing, environmental monitoring, and eventual capital for tank or canopy work. Owner-operators sometimes ignore their own labor, which flatters the numbers.
Rebuild the profit and loss statement yourself from source documents, then compare it with the seller's. Where the two diverge is exactly where your questions belong. For pricing the result, see how we approach Florida gas station investment sales.
Frequently Asked Questions
Speak With a Florida Gas Station Specialist
Request a confidential consultation or off-market opportunities and pricing through our contact page, or call +1-305-518-1545. The Gas Station Group is headquartered at 8603 S Dixie Hwy, Miami, FL 33143. Principal: Bobby Berrido.