Gas Station Business Plan Template
Written by Dave Lavinsky
Gas Station Business Plan
You’ve come to the right place to create your Gas Station business plan.
We have helped over 10,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their gas stations.
Below is a sample business plan for a gas station to help you create each section of your gas station business plan.
Executive Summary
Business overview.
Accelerate Station is a startup gas station located in Dallas, Texas. The company was founded by Bill Johnson, an experienced gas station manager who has gained valuable knowledge on how to run a gas station during the past ten years while working at GAS&GO MART. Now that Bill has experienced managing a gas station, he is ready to start his own company, Accelerate Station. Bill is confident that his business management skills, combined with his understanding of the gas station industry, will enable him to run a profitable gas station of his own. Bill is recruiting a team of gas station personnel to help manage the day-to-day complexities of running a gas station business – sales and marketing, supplier relations, financial management, and customer support.
Accelerate Station will provide gasoline, diesel, electric vehicle charging, automotive parts and accessories, and a small snack assortment. Accelerate Station will be the go-to gas station in a busy intersection located in the heart of the Dallas metropolitan area. The company will be the ultimate choice for convenience and customer service while offering the lowest prices in the area.
Product Offering
The following are the products and services that Accelerate Station will offer:
- Electric Vehicle Charging
- Air (for tires)
- Automotive Parts Assortment (lights, batteries, etc.)
- Automotive Accessories (license plate holders, air fresheners, etc.)
- Snacks & Beverages (vending machine access)
Customer Focus
Accelerate Station will target private and commercial vehicle drivers in Dallas. The company will target individuals that need to refuel as part of their commute to work and commercial drivers fueling up for a long trip. No matter the customer, Accelerate Station will deliver fast and courteous service and the lowest prices in the area.
Management Team
Accelerate Station will be owned and operated by Bill Johnson. Bill is a recent graduate of Texas University with a degree in business administration. He also has over ten years of experience working as a gas station manager for another local company. Bill will be the chief executive officer for the gas station. He will oversee the staff’s activities and day-to-day operations.
Bill has recruited a fellow business school graduate, Stephen Smith, to be the company’s chief operating officer and help oversee the gas station’s business operations. Stephen will handle supplier relationships, logistics, and budgeting for the business.
Bill and Stephen have hired a marketing professional, Mary Miller, to become a member of the Accelerate Station management team. Mary is a graduate of the University of Maine with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. Bill and Stephen rely on Mary’s expertise to execute the company’s marketing plan and advertising strategies.
Success Factors
Accelerate Station will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:
- High-traffic location that is visible and accessible to passersby from multiple major streets and highways.
- Accelerate Station uses the latest technology to make it easy and convenient for customers to gas up quickly. Customers can pre-pay using the company’s app, at the pump, or in person at the central kiosk. Providing multiple payment options gives more customers an opportunity to use their preferred method of payment easily.
- The company’s leadership team has built a network of supplier relationships that will allow Accelerate Station to purchase gasoline for lower prices than their competitors. Accelerate will then be able to pass this cost-savings on to customers.
Financial Highlights
Accelerate Station is seeking $880,000 in debt financing to launch its gas station business. The funding will be dedicated towards securing the location and purchasing gas station equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff and marketing expenses. The breakout of the funding is below:
- Gas station build-out: $480,000
- Gas station equipment, supplies, and materials: $220,000
- Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, utilities): $160,000
- Marketing costs: $10,000
- Working capital: $10,000
The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for Accelerate Station.
Company Overview
Who is accelerate station.
Accelerate Station is a newly established gas station company in Dallas, Texas. Accelerate will be the first choice for drivers in Dallas for its convenient location, top-notch customer service, and low prices on gasoline, diesel, and electric vehicle charging. The company will serve drivers of private and commercial vehicles of all types and sizes.
Accelerate Station will be able to guarantee the lowest prices in the area thanks to its leadership team members’ existing supplier network connections. The company offers customers the option to pay using a convenient app, at the pump, or through the central kiosk. Customers can also purchase automotive parts and accessories, and grab a quick snack for the road at the station’s convenient vending machines.
Accelerate Station History
Accelerate Station is owned and operated by Bill Johnson, an experienced gas station manager who has gained valuable knowledge during his ten year tenure working at another local gas station. In addition to his hands-on experience, Bill has recently graduated from Texas University with a degree in business administration. Now that Bill has gained the experience and know-how he needs to manage a gas station, he is ready to start one of his own. Bill has begun recruiting a team of gas station personnel to help manage the day-to-day complexities of running a gas station business – sales and marketing, supplier relations, financial management, and customer support.
Since incorporation, Accelerate Station has achieved the following milestones:
- Registered Accelerate Station, LLC to transact business in the state of Texas
- Has begun negotiations to purchase the property and reached out to potential builders to construct the station
- Reached out to numerous contacts to include gasoline and diesel suppliers and electric vehicle charging station providers to begin obtaining supplier contracts
- Began recruiting a staff of gas station attendants to work at Accelerate Station
Accelerate Station Services
- Automotive Accessories (license plate holders, air freshener, etc.)
Industry Analysis
The gas station industry in the United States is valued at an estimated $138B with over 13,800 businesses in operation and more than 162,000 employees nationwide. Included in the gas station industry are businesses that sell automotive fuels such as gas and diesel, automotive parts and services (such as car washes), and other non-automotive goods and services. Many gas stations also co-locate with a convenience store to drive more traffic to their business. These gas stations are part of the larger industry of “gas stations with convenience stores”, which is valued at $649B in the U.S. with over 122,000 operating businesses and 1.0M employees across the country. In addition to gasoline and automotive services, these businesses also sell groceries and other convenience goods.
Gas station market demand is dependent on the volume of drivers on the road (both personal and commercial). Profitability typically depends on industry operators’ ability to secure high traffic locations and purchase their gas for the lowest prices possible.
A growing challenge for gas station industry operators is the rise in electric vehicles. To remain competitive, many industry operators have begun offering electric vehicle charging options in addition to traditional gasoline.
Customer Analysis
Demographic profile of target market.
Accelerate Station will target private and commercial vehicle drivers in Dallas. The company will target individuals that need to refuel as part of their commute to work and commercial drivers fueling up for a long trip. Accelerate will be able to accommodate vehicles of all types and sizes including diesel, hybrid, and electric vehicles. No matter the customer, Accelerate Station will deliver fast and courteous service and the lowest prices in the area.
The precise demographics for Dallas, Texas are:
Customer Segmentation
Accelerate will primarily target the following customer profiles:
- Drivers of private vehicles
- Drivers of commercial vehicles
- Drivers of gasoline vehicles
- Drivers of diesel vehicles
- Drivers of electric vehicles
Competitive Analysis
Direct and indirect competitors.
Accelerate Station will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.
GAS&GO MART
GAS&GO MART is one of the largest and oldest commercial gas stations based in Dallas, Texas. Established in 1955, the company currently operates twenty stations throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. GAS&GO MART sells gasoline and diesel, automotive parts, and snacks. GAS&GO MART aims to deliver quick service for customers on the go. The company uses a stringent inspection process to ensure all of its products are the best quality. GAS&GO MART’s team of experienced gas station attendants are available to assist customers as needed.
Speedy Gas Station
Speedy Gas Station is a small gas station catering to local drivers in Dallas, Texas. Speedy Gas Station operates one location in a busy retail district. The company provides gasoline, diesel, and a self-service car wash. Speedy Gas Station is family owned and operated by former race car drivers who know the importance of fast service. The gas station attendants are able to help customers check their oil, tires, and other small automotive issues. The company prides itself on providing the fastest service and quality products.
Express Gas Station
Express Gas Station is a trusted Dallas, Texas-based gas station that provides superior gasoline to drivers in Dallas. The company offers a spacious layout that can accommodate the largest of commercial vehicles and is equipped with an electric vehicle charging station. Express Gas Station operates a single location near the outskirts of Dallas and is in the process of opening two additional locations within the city.
Competitive Advantage
Accelerate Station will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:
Marketing Plan
Brand & value proposition.
Accelerate Station will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:
- Customers can pre-pay using the company’s app, at the pump, or in person at the central kiosk. Providing multiple payment options gives more customers an opportunity to use their preferred method of payment easily.
Promotions Strategy
The promotions strategy for Accelerate Station is as follows:
Social Media Marketing
The company’s marketing director will create accounts on social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. She will ensure Accelerate maintains an active social media presence with regular updates and promotional content to incentivize customers to use the company’s services.
Professional Associations and Networking
Accelerate Station will become a member of professional associations such as the American Gas Station Association, Dallas Gas Station Managers Society, and the Texas Diesel Association. The leadership team will focus their networking efforts on expanding the company’s supplier network.
Print Advertising
Accelerate Station will invest in professionally designed print ads to display in programs or flyers at industry networking events. The company will also send direct mailers to local residents and businesses that are likely to frequent the gas station.
Website/SEO Marketing
Accelerate Station will utilize the in-house marketing director that designed the print ads to also design the company website. The website will be well organized, informative, and list the products and services Accelerate is able to provide. The website will also list information on discounts and promotional giveaways.
The marketing director will also manage the company’s website presence with SEO marketing tactics so that when someone types in a search engine “Dallas gas station ” or “gas station near me”, Accelerate Station will be listed at the top of the search results.
The pricing of Accelerate Station will be moderate and lower than its competitors so customers feel they receive value when purchasing the company’s products and services. Accelerate will also offer discounts to regular customers.
Operations Plan
The following will be the operations plan for Accelerate Station.
Operation Functions:
- Bill Johnson will be the CEO of the company. He will oversee the gas station staff and day-to-day operations. Bill has spent the past year recruiting the following staff:
- Stephen Smith – Chief Operating Officer who will manage the budgeting, supplier relationships, and logistics.
- Jennifer Willams – Bookkeeper who will provide all accounting, tax payments, and monthly financial reporting.
- Mary Miller – Marketing Director who will oversee all marketing strategies for the company and manage the website, social media, and print advertising campaigns.
- Micheal Jones – Quality Control Manager who will oversee all inspections of products, equipment, and processes.
Milestones:
Accelerate Station will have the following milestones complete in the next six months.
12/1/2022 – Finalize contract to purchase property
12/15/2022 – Finalize employment contracts for the Accelerate Station management team
1/1/2023 – Begin build-out of the gas station and purchase equipment, materials, and supplies
1/15/2023 – Begin networking at industry events and implement the marketing plan
2/15/2023 – Finalize contracts with suppliers
3/15/2023 – Accelerate Station officially opens for business
Bill has recruited a fellow business school graduate, Stephen Smith, to be the company’s chief operating officer and help oversee gas station’s business operations. Stephen will handle supplier relationships, logistics, and budgeting for the business.
Financial Plan
Key revenue & costs.
The revenue drivers for Accelerate Station are the fees charged to customers in exchange for the company’s products and services. When it comes to pricing, the station will monitor supply costs, average prices charged by competitors, and product availability in the market to ensure its prices will generate a healthy profit margin.
The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required in order to staff a gas station. The expenses will be the product itself, payroll cost, utilities, equipment and supplies, and marketing materials.
Funding Requirements and Use of Funds
Key assumptions.
The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan.
- Average sales per month: 2,000
- Average fees per month: $15,000
- Overhead costs per year: $640,000
Financial Projections
Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, gas station business plan faqs, what is a gas station business plan.
A gas station business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your gas station business. Among other things, a fuel station business plan outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections. You can easily complete your Gas Station business plan using our Gas Station Business Plan Template here .
What are the Main Types of Gas Stations?
There are a number of different kinds of gas stations, some examples include: Franchise Gas Station, Full Service Gas Station, or Quick Service Gas Station.
How Do You Get Funding for Your Gas Station?
After you complete your filling station business plan, you can start to seek financing.
Gas Stations are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.
What are the Steps To Start a Gas Station Business?
Starting a Gas Station business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.
1. Develop A Gas Station Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed fuel station business plan pdf or doc that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.
2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your Gas Station business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your Gas Station business is in compliance with local laws.
3. Register Your Gas Station Business -Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your Gas Station business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.
4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your Gas Station business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.
5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.
6. Hire Employees -There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.
7. Acquire Necessary Gas Station Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your Gas Station business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation.
8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your Gas Station business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising.
Learn more about how to start a successful Gas Station business: How to Start a Gas Station
- Business plans
Gas Station Business Plan
Used 4,933 times
Take the first step towards success in the fuel industry with our professionally crafted Gas Station Business Plan template.
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Prepared for:
[Owner.FirstName]
[Owner.LastName]
Prepared by:
[Investor.FirstName] [Investor.LastName]
Executive Summary
Business overview.
[Owner.Company] is a gas station located in [Owner.City] , [Owner.State] . (Describe what the business offers and provide 1-2 sentences about what the business stands for and prioritizes.)
Products Served
[Owner.Company] products and services are categorized as follows:
(Additional products or services)
Customer Focus
[Owner.Company] will serve the residents of [Owner.State] and the immediate surrounding area, as well as those who live or work in (additional location). (Explanation of the population in these areas and why it’s a good target audience.)
Management Team
[Owner.Company] is led by [Owner.FirstName] [Owner.LastName] , who has been in the gas station business for (number) years. (1-2 sentences about owner/founder's background.)
To capture a share of commuter traffic passing through [Owner.City] , [Owner.State] .
(Objective)
Success Factors
[Owner.Company] is uniquely qualified to succeed for the following reasons:
High-quality products priced competitively
(Your business’ mission statement.)
Financial Summary
[Owner.Company] is seeking total funding of $(amount) of debt capital to launch its gas stations. The capital will be used for (expenses) . Specifically, these funds will be used as follows:
Store design and build: $150K
(Purpose): $(amount)
Projections for the next five years are as follows:
Company Summary
(Short paragraph about what the business offers and stands for, similar to the Business Overview in the Executive Summary.) [Owner.Company] is wholly owned by [Owner.FirstName] [Owner.LastName] .
[Owner.Company] History
(Paragraph about the history of the company.)
Startup Summary
[Investor.FirstName] [Investor.LastName] will invest $(amount) in [Owner.Company] . [Owner.Company] aims to secure $(amount) to finance the remaining startup costs.
The following chart shows projected startup costs for [Owner.Company] .
Products and Services
[Owner.Company] is a fully registered and licensed gas station in the U.S. that’s positioned in the industry to maximize profits. In addition to retailing diesel and gasoline, we will also sell products and services.
Auto services
(Product or service)
Industry Analysis
The Gas Station industry has experienced (describe what’s occurred in the industry over the past five years). (Describe how business is generated and how consumer spending has changed.)
(Additional industry analysis information, such as driving rates, oil prices, and in-store product sales.)
Market Analysis
[Owner.Company] will primarily serve residents of [Owner.State] and the immediate surrounding area in a 10-mile radius. We will also serve tourists traveling in vehicles. The area we serve is (description of population and why it’s a good target audience).
The demographics of [Owner.State] are:
Customer Segmentation
[Owner.Company] will primarily target the following customer segments:
Businesses with employees who drive to work.
(Customer segment.)
Competitive Analysis
Direct and indirect competitors.
The following businesses are located within a 5-mile radius of [Owner.Company] and are either direct or indirect competition:
(Business name)
(Description of business)
Competitive Advantage
[Owner.Company] has several advantages over competitors:
Relationships: [Owner.Company] has lived in (location) for 30+ years and has established relationships with local influencers, publications, and residents.
(Competitive advantage)
Marketing Plan
The [owner.company] brand.
The unique value proposition of the [Owner.Company] brand is (1-3 sentences describing the business’ value proposition).
Pricing Strategy
[Owner.Company] will keep its gas and convenience store products priced competitively with other gas stations within a 30-mile radius. Coupons and discounts will be offered to repeat customers.
Sales Strategy
Customers that purchase more than $15 of gas at [Owner.Company] will be given a 10% coupon for in-store purchases during the first six months of the gas station’s operation.
Promotions Strategy
Loyalty program.
[Owner.Company] will create a loyalty program to reward regular customers and encourage them to return over and over.
(Marketing Strategy)
(Description of marketing strategy.)
Operations Plan
Functional roles.
[Owner.Company] will be open (hours of operation and explanation of why that schedule was chosen).
[Owner.Company] intends to employ (number) cashiers and (number) (role) during peak hours and (number) cashiers and (number) (role) during off-peak hours. [Owner.Company] anticipates having (number) customers weekly.
In order to execute the business model for [Owner.Company] , we need to perform several functions that are divided into two primary roles:
Administration
Bookkeeping
Cash register attendant
Gas pump assistance
(Write a short paragraph about the company's founder and why they are positioned for success.)
Hiring Plan
(Manager.FullName) will serve as the store manager. To launch [Owner.Company] , the following personnel will be hired:
The long-term goal of [Owner.Company] is to (primary long-term goal). The following steps will lead to that vision.
(Date): Finalize lease agreement.
(Date): Design and build the gas station.
(Date): (Milestone)
Financial Plan
Break-even analysis, projected profit and loss, projected cash flow, projected balance sheet, business ratios.
[Owner.FirstName] [Owner.LastName]
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Gas Station Business Plan [Sample Template]
By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero
Home » Business ideas » Oil & Gas Industry » Gas Station
Are you about starting a gas station with convenience store ? If YES, here is a complete sample gas station business plan template & (petrol filling station) feasibility report for starting a gas station .
Starting a gas station or filling station or petroleum station as it is typically called in some parts of the world is indeed one of the means of owning a business portfolio in the oil and gas industry. This is for sure one business that has made a lot of people millionaires or even billionaires.
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It is true that playing in the gas industry might require loads of funds, but in the long run it sure does pay. If you are looking to start a gas station business, the care has to be taken in deciding on the area you want to delve into. You will also be required to carry out various market researches.
Why is this important, you may ask? This is especially important because of the level of knowledge about the trade that you will be required to garner. Knowledge is indeed very important in the gas industry.
Yet another thing that you would have to take really seriously is the writing of a business plan. The business plan is one manuscript that has continued to be important. This is because it serves as a good blueprint on top which every business should be built.
On the other hand, not everyone knows how to write a business plan. This is because of the technicality which is involved in the activity. That said now here is a sample gas station business plan;
A Sample Gas Station Business Plan Template
1. industry overview.
A gas station which also called a petrol station, filling station, fueling station, or service station is a business facility which retails gasoline (petrol), diesel and lubricants for motor vehicles. Gas stations offer one of three types of service to their customers: full service, minimum service or self-service.
A full service gas station has attendants who operates the pumps, often wipes the windshield, and sometimes checks the vehicle’s oil level and tire pressure, then collects payment and perhaps a small tip and a minimum service gas station has attendants that operates the pumps.
This is often required due to laws in some cities that prohibit customers from operating the pumps themselves. While in self – service gas stations the customer performs all required service. Instructions informing the customer of filling procedures and cautions are clearly displayed on each pump.
Customers are expected to go to the store or go to a booth to give payment to an employee of the station and lastly we have the unmanned gas station that make use of card – lock (or pay-at-the-pump) system, these gas station are completely unmanned.
The Gas Stations industry over the years has experienced a modest amount of volatility. As a matter of fact, as more Americans acquire automobiles, the total vehicle miles increased and this gives room to increase in the demand of gasoline.
So also, as per capita disposable income continued to increase, some automobile owners would choose to go for premium fuel, which is priced higher than lower-octane fuel.
Just like other industry, the Gas Stations industry has also experienced its fair share of ups and downs over the last five years. As a result of strengthening domestic economy and improvement in employment over the early part of the last five years, the Gas Station Industry also experienced improvement in performance.
The Gas Station industry is indeed a very large industry and pretty much thriving in all the parts of the world. Statistics has it that in the united states of America alone, there are about 10,719 licensed Gas Station businesses responsible for employing about 120,226 employees and the industry rakes in a whopping sum of $106bn annually.
The major breakthrough in the gas station industry came as a result of the increase in automobile ownership which can be attributed to Henry Ford when he started to sell automobiles that the middle class could afford resulted. The gas industry therefore, experienced a great boom that has continued to affect nearly all economies of the world.
In the bid to stay afloat in the highly competitive gas station industry, owners of gas stations now go the extra mile to ensure that they make their facility welcoming and conducive for customers. Gas stations now have vulcanizing services, car wash, convenience stores, coffee bars, snack bars, and cigar lounge within their facility so as to leverage on the opportunities around them to generate more income.
Although the gas station industry can be said to be a competitive industry, but it does not in any way stop entrepreneurs who are creative and financially capable to still make headway in the industry. It is indeed a profitable industry especially when the business is well located.
No doubt busy highways and busy cities with growing population is highly suitable for gas stations. The catch is that if there are automobile users in any city, then the city would have need for a gas station.
2. Executive Summary
Sunny Star® Gas Station is a fully registered and licensed standard gas station that will be located along a busy highway in Miami – Florida, U.S. Our chains of gas stations that will be scattered all around major cities in the United States of America will adopt full service, minimum service and self-service as it suits the location
Our basic services and products offering to our highly esteemed customers as a standard gas station are retailing of gasoline (petrol), diesel and lubricants for motor vehicles. We will make sure that we give our consumers nothing short of the very best.
We will also run a convenience store, car wash, vulcanizing services, wheel balancing services, wheel alignment services and other related automobile repair services.
We are quite aware that in order to become the number one choice for automobile owners who ply the route where our gas stations will be located, we must continue to make our gas station welcoming, easy to operate and that is exactly what we will do.
We are open to the use of latest technology in the gas station industry. No doubt our excellent customer service and the range of additional complementary services we offer will position us to become one of the most preferred gas stations in Miami – Florida.
At Sunny Star® Gas Station, we are passionate in the pursuit of excellence and financial success with uncompromising services and integrity.
We are in the industry to make a positive mark. We are quite optimistic that our values and quality of products and service offering will help us drive our gas station business to enviable heights and also help us attract the numbers of clients that will make the business highly profitable.
We are a company that will be dedicated to establishing and maintaining the best practices as it relates to the gas station industry. Sunny Star® Gas Stations will ensure that all our customers are given first class treatment whenever they visit our gas stations. Customer care is one of the tools that we plan to have in order to charm our clients and turn them to loyalists.
We have a CRM software that will enable us manage a one on one relationship with our customers no matter how large the numbers of our customer base may grow to. We will ensure that we get our customers involved when making some business decisions that will directly or indirectly affect them.
Sunny Star® Gas Stations is owned and managed by Mr. Craig McCarthy and family. The business will be financed by the Mr. Craig McCarthy family and they will be actively involved in the day to day operation of the Gas stations. Mr. Craig McCarthy has a B.Sc. in Business Administration and Management and he has well over 15 years of experience in the service industry.
3. Our Products and Services
Sunny Star® Gas Station is a fully registered and licensed standard gas station that is positioned in the gas station industry in the United States of America to maximize profits. Aside from the point that we will be retailing gasoline and diesel, we will also engage in other complimentary services that will help us maximize profits.
We have designed products and services that will not only help to meet the demands of the people, but also to put good money in our pockets. These are the products and services that will be made available to our customers;
- Automotive services (e.g. repairs, car washes and general parts)
- Non automotive fuel
- Retailing automotive fuels (e.g. diesel fuel and gasoline)
- Selling automotive-related goods
- Providing automotive-repair services
- Providing Wheel Alignment, Wheel Balancing and Vulcanizing Services
- Retailing of Groceries and soft drinks et al
4. Our Mission and Vision Statement
- Our Vision is to operate chains of gas stations in major cities in the United States of America.
- Our mission is to develop a highly successful and profitable chains of gas station business with state of the art facility and latest technology; a business that will not only meet the needs of her clients but also supersede their expectations.
Our Business Structure
Sunny Star® Gas Stations is set to become one of the leading gas station business in the whole of Florida and other cities where our chains of gas stations will be located hence the need for us to build a solid business foundation and business structure that will enable us achieve our aims and objectives.
Excellent customer service and efficiency are top priority for us which is why we will ensure that we look for applicants that match the picture of the business who want to build before hiring them. Although we will provide trainings in areas such as excellent customers services et al, but we will ensure that we shortlist applicants that are customer centric.
In essence, we want to build a team, a dedicated workforce that will work together to help the organization achieve its set targets. We will not only hire attendants that will help supervise our gas stations and attend to customers need when they patronize our services.
But we will also hire employees that will manage our convenience store, cash wash, coffee café, cigar lounge, snacks bar, vulcanizing services, wheel balancing, wheel alignment and other automobile repair and maintenance services. Sunny Star® Gas Stations will employ customer centric and skilled people to occupy the following position;
- Chief Executive Officer
Gas Station Manager
Accountant / Cashier
- Human Resource and Admin Manager
- Pump Attendant
- Convenience Store, Coffee Café, Snacks Bar, Cigar Lounge Manager
Vulcanizing Services, Wheel Balancing, Wheel Alignment and Automobile Repairs and Maintenance Manager
- Carwash Manager
- Security Guard
5. Job Roles and Responsibilities
Chief Executive Officer – CEO (Owner):
- Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; providing educational opportunities.
- Creating, communicating, and implementing the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
- Responsible for fixing prices and signing business deals
- Responsible for providing direction for the business
- Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
- Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
- Evaluates the success of the organization
- Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of the gas station
- Map out strategy that will lead to efficiency amongst workers
- Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of workers
- Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs.
- Ensures that the gas station meets the expected safety and health standard at all times.
Human Resources and Admin Manager
- Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
- Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
- Enhances department and organization reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.
- Defines job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
- Carrying out staff induction for new team members
- Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
- Oversee the smooth running of the daily office and factory activities.
Convenience Store, Coffee Café, Snacks Bar, and Cigar Lounge Manager
- Interact with customers; take orders for coffee and snacks.
- Responsible for preparing different flavor and style of coffee for customers
- Make lists of supplies in conjunction with the bar manager
- Ensure that each cup of coffee that leaves the kitchen is tailor made and meet the request of each customer
- Responsible for quality control
- Assess customers’ needs and preferences and make recommendations
- Make lists of supplies in conjunction with the management
- Prepare inventory or purchase requisitions as needed to replenish supplies.
- Ensure that the assigned bar area is fully equipped with tools and products needed for Mixing beverages and serving guests.
- Responsible for managing the cigar lounge
- Prepare inventory or purchase requisitions as needed to re – stock the lounge.
- Clear ashtrays regularly
- Ensure that the assigned lounge area is fully equipped with tools and products needed to by our clients
- Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
- Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports; analyzes financial feasibility for the most complex proposed projects; conducts market research to forecast trends and business conditions.
- Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
- Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting
- Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
- Responsible for administering payrolls
- Ensures compliance with taxation legislation
- Handles all financial transactions for the organization
- Serves as internal auditor for the organization
Pump Attendants
- Mans the various gas pump machines (in fully services gas stations)
- Assists customers as required by them especially on how to operate our gas pump machines (in self – service gas stations)
- Provides change for customers
- Handle any other duty as assigned by the gas station manager
- Responsible for running our vulcanizing services, wheel balancing services, wheel alignment services and automobile repairs maintenance services
- Assists customers as required by them especially when it relates to choosing the right lubricants to use and the right time to service their automobiles
- Handles any other duty as assigned by the gas station manager
Car wash Manager
- Wash and thoroughly clean cars (exterior car washing, interior cleaning, and waxing services), trucks and bikes et al
- Handle and move objects, such as glasses, dish and bottles, using hands and arms.
- Cleans up after customers and clean work area.
- Clears ashtrays as and when required.
- Washes glassware and utensils after each use.
- Maintains a clean working area by sweeping, vacuuming, dusting, cleaning of glass doors and windows, etc. if required.
- Ensures that toiletries and supplies don’t run out of stock
- Handle any other duty as assigned by the gas station manager.
Security Guards
- Ensures that the facility is secured at all time
- Controls traffic and organize parking
- Gives security tips to staff members from time to time
- Patrols around the building on a 24 hours basis
- Submits security reports weekly
6. SWOT Analysis
Knowing the strength and weakness of any business is one of the right steps to take in business. No doubt starting a gas station is indeed capital intensive especially for aspiring entrepreneurs who may not have huge sum of money saved up in a bank.
We are aware that it will require loads of cash to set up a standard gas station in Miami – Florida which is why we decided to do all that is required to build a profitable business; we don’t intend to invest our hard earn money in a business that we know we are not truly cut out for.
One of the tools that is required to position us in building a successful gas station business is SWOT Analysis . We hired the services of Dr. Memphis Iverson, an HR and Business consultant who is based in Miami Florida to help us conduct SWOT analysis for our company and he did a pretty good job for us.
Here is a of the result we got from the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Sunny Star® Gas Stations, Miami – Florida;
Sunny Star® Gas Stations is centrally located along one of the busiest highways in Miami – Florida; our location is in fact one of our major strength. Aside from the basic service that we offer, we also offer complimentary services that most of our competitors are not offering.
So also the vast experience of our management team, we have people on board who are highly experienced and understands how to grow business from the scratch to becoming a national phenomenon and our attendants are well groomed to handle various classes of customers; our excellent customer service culture will definitely count as a strong strength for the business.
Our perceived weakness could be the fact it is a new gas station business which is owned by an individual (a small family), and we may not have the financial capacity to sustain the kind of publicity that can give us leverage and start operating chains of gas stations in various cities in the United States as planned.
- Opportunities:
We are centrally located in one of the busiest highways in Miami – Florida and we are open to all the available opportunities that the city has to offer.
Our business concept also positioned us to attract people who like doing their shopping, washing and servicing their automobile in gas stations. Miami is one of the densely populated cities in Florida, and indeed populations translate to opportunities.
One of the major threats that confront businesses all over the world is economic downturn; when the economy is bad it affects consumers spending which in turn impacts businesses negatively. Another threat that we are likely going to face to confront us is the emergence of a new gas station within the same location where ours is located.
7. MARKET ANALYSIS
- Market Trends
There is hardly anyone who doesn’t have a need for gas, this is why it is really vital that one keys into this industry. One of the trends in the gas station industry is that, in the bid to stay afloat in the highly competitive gas station industry, owners of gas stations now go the extra mile to ensure that they make their facility welcoming and conducive for customers.
Gas stations now have vulcanizing services, car wash, convenience stores, coffee bars, snack bars, and cigar lounge within their facility so as to leverage on the opportunities around them to generate more income.
Another trend is the adoption of the underground modular gas station model. The underground modular gas station is a construction model for gas stations that was developed and patented by U-Cont Oy Ltd which is based in Finland in 1993.
Subsequently the same system was used in Florida, USA. While the Above-ground modular gas stations were built in the 1980s in Eastern Europe and especially in Russia Federation, but they were not adopted in other parts of Europe because of the stations’ lack of safety in case of fire outbreak.
8. Our Target Market
Before choosing a location for our gas station business, we conducted our feasibility studies and market survey and we were able to identify the location that will benefit greatly from our products and service offerings which is why we deiced to settle for Miami – Florida.
Essentially those who will benefit from our service offering are automobile owners / drivers and they are of course busy corporate executives, business owners, households, students and travelers / visitors / tourist et al. They are the category of people that we intend marketing our gas station services to.
Our Competitive Advantage
From our recently concluded feasibility studies and market survey, we observed that there are several gas station businesses spread all over the city of Miami – Florida, as a matter of fact, there are about 3 standard gas stations close to same locations as ours. This goes to show that there is stiffer competition in the industry.
Before launching our gas station we have critically studied the market and we know that we have some form of competitive edge. Our competitive advantage is that we have a standard gas station facility that offers additional complementary services that will definitely help us attract and retain customers.
Another competitive advantage that we have is the vast experience of our management team, we have people on board who are highly experienced and understands how to grow business from the scratch to becoming a national phenomenon.
So also the wide varieties of other complimentary services and products that we offer and of course our excellent customer service culture will definitely count as a strong strength for the business. One thing is certain, we will ensure that in future, we open our gas stations in various cities in the United States of America and also sell our franchise. With that our brand will be well communicated and accepted nationally.
9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY
Sources of Income
Sunny Star® Gas Station is established with the aim of maximizing profit in the gas station industry in the United States of America and we are going to go all the way to ensure that we do all it takes to generate enough incomes from both our basic product and services offerings and our complimentary services. Sunny Star® Gas Station will generate income by offering the following services and products;
10. Sales Forecast
It is important to state that our sales forecast is based on the data gathered during our feasibility study and also some of the assumptions readily available on the field with reference to similar business in Miami – Florida. We know that we are well positioned and we will definitely attract clients that will not only patronize our gas station but will also patronize our complimentary services which will help increase our income.
Below is the sale projection for Sunny Star® Gas Station, it is based on the location of our gas station and the type of services and products that we will be offering;
- First Year-: $500,000
- Second Year-: $1,500,000
- Third Year-: $2,500,000
N.B : This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any gas station offering same additional services like us within 4.5 miles radius from our gas station facility.
- Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy
The marketing strategy for Sunny Star® Gas Station is going to be driven basically by making available standard and safe gasoline and diesel et al, excellent customer service and provision of complementary services. We will work hard to build a loyal customer base; customers that will always patronize us over and over again and as well help us use word of mouth publicity to get their friends and acquaintance to patronize us.
We want to drive sales via making available easy to use fuel pumping machines (for self – services) et al. We are quite aware of how satisfied customers drive business growth especially businesses like gas station which is why we will always ensure that our customer service and facility are top notch.
Over and above, our unique selling proposition is that we have various complementary service offerings such as convenience store, coffee café, snacks bar, cigar lounge, vulcanizing services, wheel balancing, wheel alignment, carwash and automobile repairs and maintenance services. We will also retail lubricants and other related products.
In view of that, we are going to adopt the following strategies to ensure that we do not only attract customers but ensure that they become loyal customer. Part of the marketing and sales strategies that we will adopt are;
- Introduce our gas station by sending introductory letters to residence, transport companies, merchants and other stakeholders both in Miami and in other cities in the State of Florida
- Open our gas station with a party so as to capture the attention of residence who are our first targets
- Advertise our gas station on national dailies, local TV stations and local radio station
- Promote our gas station online via our official website and all available social media platforms
- Continuously Improving the performance of our brands
- Hire the services of experts to make our brands the first choice for in Miami and other cities where we will open a gas station
- Delivering consistent customer experiences to all our clients; making our first impression count positively
- Make use of attractive handbills to create awareness and also to give direction to our gas station
- Adopt direct mailing coupon marketing approach
- Position our signage / flexi banners at strategic places
- Create a loyalty plan that will enable us reward our regular customers
- Engage on road shows within our neighborhood to create awareness for our Laundromat business.
11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy
Despite the fact that our gas station is a standard one with a wide range of other complimentary services and products that can favorably compete with other leading brands in the gas station industry, we will still go ahead to intensify publicity for all our products and brand. We are going to explore all available means to promote Sunny Star® Gas Station.
Sunny Star® Gas Station has a long term plan of opening our gas stations in various locations all around key cities in the United States of America which is why we will deliberately build our brand to be well accepted in Miami – Florida before venturing out.
As a matter of fact, our publicity and advertising strategy is not solely for selling our products and services but to also effectively communicate our brand. Here are the platforms we intend leveraging on to promote and advertise Sunny Star® Gas Station;
- Place adverts on both print (community based newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms
- Sponsor relevant community programs
- Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook , twitter, et al to promote our brand
- Install our BillBoards on strategic locations in Miami – Florida and all around major cities in the United States of America
- Engage in road show from time to time in targeted communities
- Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas
- Position our Flexi Banners at strategic positions in the location where we intend getting customers to start patronizing our products and services.
- Ensure that all our staff members wear our customized clothes, and all our official cars, fuel tankers and trucks are customized and well branded.
12. Our Pricing Strategy
It is the wish of all businesses to have a pricing system that will yield loads of profits for them; as such we are working on having very competitive pricing.
At Sunny Star® Gas Station, our pricing system is going to be based on what is obtainable in the industry, we don’t intend to charge more (except for premium and customized services) and we don’t intend to charge less than our competitors are offering in Miami – Florida.
Be that as it may, the management of Sunny Star® Gas Station have put plans in place to offer discounts for our complimentary services and products once in a while and also to reward our loyal customers especially when they refer clients to us.
The prices of our products (snacks, cup of coffee, cigar, detergents et al) and services (vulcanizing, wheel balancing, wheel alignment, car wash, and automobile repair and services) will be same as what is obtainable in any part of the United States of America.
- Payment Options
At Sunny Star® Gas Station, our payment policy is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different people prefer different payment options as it suits them. We will work really hard to make sure that all our clients are given payment methods that suit them. Here are the payment options that will be available in every of our outlets;
- Payment by cash
- Payment via Point of Sale (POS) Machine
- Payment via online bank transfer (online payment portal)
- Payment via Mobile money
In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will help us achieve our payment plans without any itches.
13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)
When it comes to starting a gas station business, loads of factors influences the amount that will be required to successful launch the business.
Factors like the location you intend starting the business, the size of gas station business you want to start i.e. the number of complimentary services you want to add to the business, and of course the state of the economy as at when you intend start the business. This is the key areas where we will spend our start – up capital on;
- The Total Fee for Registering the Business in Miami – Florida – $750.
- Legal expenses for obtaining licenses (Health department license and business license) and permits (Fire department permit, Air and water pollution control permit, and Sign permit et al) – $4,500.
- Marketing promotion expenses (2,000 flyers at $0.04 per copy) for the total amount of $3,580.
- Cost for hiring Business Consultant – $2,000.
- Insurance (general liability, theft, workers’ compensation and property casualty) coverage at a total premium – $30,800.
- Cost of accounting software, CRM software and Payroll Software – $3,000
- Cost for leasing facility for the gas station – $70,000.
- Cost for facility remodeling – $50,000.
- Other start-up expenses including stationery – $1000
- Phone and Utilities (gas, sewer, water and electric) deposits – ($3,500).
- Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $40,000
- The cost for Start-up inventory – $250,000
- Storage hardware (bins, utensil rack, shelves, glasses case) – $2,720
- The cost for Washer hook-up fees (sewer connection) – $800
- Cost for serving area equipment for coffee café and snacks bar ( glasses, flatware) – $5,000
- Cost for fuel dispensing machines and equipment (automobile repair tools, vulcanizing tools, and wheel alignment tools- $250,000
- The cost for the purchase of furniture and gadgets (Printers, Telephone, TVs, Sound System, vacuum cleaner, tables and chairs et al) – $30,000.
- The cost of Launching a Website – $600
- The cost for our grand opening party – $5,500
- Miscellaneous supplies (cleaning supplies, soap, invoices for wash-and-fold, bathroom supplies, etc.) – $10,000
We would need an estimate of $1 million to successfully launch our gas station business in Miami – Florida. Please note that the startup cost is higher than the average startup cost for a gas station business simply because we intend adding coffee café, snacks bar, cigar lounge, car wash, convenience store and other complimentary services.
Generating Funding / Startup Capital for Sunny Star® Gas Station
Sunny Star® Gas Station is a family business that is owned and financed by Mr. Craig McCarthy and family. They do not intend to welcome any external business partner which is why he has decided to restrict the sourcing of the start – up capital to 3 major sources.
These are the areas we intend generating our start – up capital;
- Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings and sell of stocks
- Source for soft loans from family members and friends
- Apply for loan from my Bank
N.B: We have been able to generate about $250,000 (Personal savings $200,000 and soft loan from family members $50,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $750,000 from our bank. All the papers and document have been signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited with the amount.
14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy
The future of a business lies in the numbers of loyal customers that they have the capacity and competence of the employees, their investment strategy and the business structure. If any of these factors is missing from a business (company), then it won’t be too long before the business close shop.
Sunny Star® Gas Station will ensure that all the factors listed above are reinforced on a regular basis, we will continue to improvise with our products and services and also we will engage in continuous capacity building of our workforce. As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or more.
We will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that staff welfare is well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and retraining of our workforce is at the top burner.
Check List / Milestone
- Business Name Availability Check: Completed
- Business Registration: Completed
- Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed
- Securing Point of Sales (POS) Machines: Completed
- Opening Mobile Money Accounts: Completed
- Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
- Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
- Application for business license and permit: Completed
- Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
- Leasing of facility and construction of our gas station: In Progress
- Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
- Generating capital from family members: Completed
- Applications for Loan from the bank: In Progress
- Writing of Business Plan: Completed
- Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
- Drafting of Contract Documents and other relevant Legal Documents: In Progress
- Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
- Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: In Progress
- Recruitment of employees: In Progress
- Purchase of fuel dispensing machines (pumps) and equipment (automobile repair tools, vulcanizing tools, and wheel alignment tools: Completed
- Purchase of the Needed furniture, racks, shelves, computers, electronic appliances, office appliances and CCTV: In progress
- Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
- Creating Awareness for the business both online and around the community: In Progress
- Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement (License): Secured
- Opening party / launching party planning: In Progress
- Establishing business relationship with vendors – wholesale suppliers / merchants: In Progress
- Purchase of fuel tankers and trucks: Completed.
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