Gas Station Financing in California. SBA 7(a) & 504 Loans
At Commercial Capital Partners, we specialize in gas station financing across California and the broader Southern California market. With a dedicated focus on petroleum retail, we have closed millions of dollars in gas station transactions, from single-station purchases in Bakersfield to multi-property refinances in the Inland Empire. Our clients include independent operators, branded franchise buyers, and investors looking to refinance, expand, or build from the ground up.
Loan Programs for Gas Stations
SBA 7(a) Loans
The SBA 7(a) loan is the most flexible program for gas station financing. It can be used for business acquisitions, real estate purchases, equipment upgrades, working capital, leasehold improvements, tenant improvements, and refinancing of existing debt. Gas station buyers benefit from the program’s low down payment requirement, typically 10–15%, and long repayment terms of up to 25 years for real estate. Loan amounts go up to $5 million.
SBA 504 Loans
The SBA 504 loan is designed for the purchase or refinance of owner-occupied commercial real estate, including gas stations with a real property component. This program pairs a bank loan with a CDC (Certified Development Company) loan to provide below-market, fixed interest rates and down payments as low as 10–15%. It is an excellent option for buyers who want long-term rate certainty and want to preserve working capital.
Conventional Financing
For experienced operators with strong financials, conventional commercial loans may offer faster closings and more flexible underwriting than SBA programs. We work with a network of national banks, regional lenders, and private capital sources to identify the best fit for each transaction.
What We Finance
- Purchase of a gas station business (with or without real estate)
- Purchase of gas station real estate (owner-occupied)
- Refinance of existing gas station debt, including cash-out options
- Ground-up construction of new gas station facilities
- Equipment upgrades (dispensers, tanks, canopies, point-of-sale systems)
- Tenant improvements and canopy renovations
- Multi-station portfolio acquisitions
Recent Gas Station Deals Closed
Our team has a proven track record closing gas station transactions throughout California:
- $3,375,900 SBA 7(a) loan. Ground-up construction, Bakersfield, CA
- $3,007,500 SBA 504 loan. Gas station refinance and cash-out, Colton, CA
- $2,203,300 SBA 7(a) loan. Equipment and tenant improvement, Bakersfield, CA
- $1,539,900 SBA 7(a) loan. Gas station purchase, Bakersfield, CA
- $1,300,000 SBA 7(a) loan. Gas station refinance, Riverside, CA
Why Work With Commercial Capital Partners?
Gas station financing is a specialty niche that requires deep knowledge of the petroleum industry, environmental considerations, and lender requirements specific to fuel retailers. Most general commercial lenders are unfamiliar with the nuances, we are not. We know what lenders look for, how to structure transactions involving both business and real estate components, and how to navigate environmental reports, UST compliance, and brand agreements.
We work directly with lenders experienced in petroleum retail financing, including SBA preferred lenders with dedicated gas station programs. Our clients benefit from faster approvals, cleaner underwriting, and financing structures optimized for their goals.
Get Started Today
Whether you are purchasing your first gas station, refinancing an existing property, or expanding your portfolio, Commercial Capital Partners is ready to help. Call us at (909) 721-5915 or contact us online to discuss your financing needs. We serve the Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Bakersfield, and clients throughout California.
Gas Station Financing: SBA Loans and Conventional Mortgages for Petroleum Properties
Gas stations and petroleum retail properties are among the most specialized assets in the commercial real estate lending market. They combine real estate value with business operations, require environmental compliance, and are subject to brand and franchise agreements that directly affect their marketability. At Commercial Capital Partners, we have extensive experience financing gas station acquisitions, refinances, and business purchases — including properties with active fuel supply agreements, convenience stores, and car wash operations.
Why Gas Station Financing Requires a Specialist
Most community banks and conventional lenders either decline gas station loans entirely or apply highly conservative underwriting because of environmental liability concerns. Phase I and Phase II environmental assessments are standard requirements, and lenders carefully evaluate the condition of underground storage tanks (USTs), the age of the fueling system, and any history of petroleum leaks or regulatory action by state environmental agencies.
The right lender for a gas station transaction understands the operational dynamics of petroleum retail — the fuel supply contract terms, the branded vs. unbranded distinction, convenience store profit margins, and the business’s blended revenue across fuel, c-store, and ancillary services. We specialize in matching gas station transactions to lenders with the appetite and expertise to underwrite them properly.
Gas Station Loan Programs
- SBA 7(a): The most common financing vehicle for gas station acquisitions. Covers real estate, business goodwill, equipment, and working capital in a single loan. As little as 10%–15% down. Up to $5 million; longer terms than conventional loans. Suitable for both branded and unbranded sites.
- SBA 504: Two-lender structure for owner-operated gas station real estate purchases. Lower rate on the CDC portion, up to 25-year amortization. Best when real estate value is well-documented and the business income supports the project. Used for larger acquisitions or existing owner refinances.
- Conventional commercial mortgage: For stabilized gas station properties with strong operating history. Typically requires 25%–35% down, strong DSCR, and clean environmental reports. Best for experienced operators with established track records.
- Bridge loans: For acquisitions requiring fast close, properties in lease-up after brand change, or short-term needs before permanent financing is arranged.
What Gas Station Lenders Evaluate
Gas station underwriting combines real estate and business lending analysis. On the real estate side, lenders evaluate the site’s location, traffic counts, canopy condition, dispenser age, and comparables. On the business side, lenders review fuel gallonage, inside sales, car wash revenue (if applicable), fuel margin per gallon, and EBITDA. The brand affiliation (major oil vs. independent) affects how lenders value the asset — major-brand sites with long supply agreements typically command higher LTVs and lower rates than unbranded locations.
Environmental compliance is non-negotiable. All lenders require a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, and any recognized environmental condition (REC) will require a Phase II investigation before the loan can proceed. USTs replaced within the past 10–15 years with spill prevention and secondary containment systems are viewed significantly more favorably than aging single-wall tanks.
Convenience Store and Car Wash Components
Modern gas station acquisitions often include a convenience store, a quick-service restaurant (QSR) or branded food program, a car wash, or all of the above. These additional revenue streams increase the business’s overall income and EBITDA, which improves the project’s DSCR and borrowing capacity. We structure loans that properly account for all income components — not just fuel gallonage — to maximize leverage and minimize the required equity injection.
Work With a Gas Station Financing Expert
Gas station financing done wrong costs buyers time, money, and deals. Our team has closed dozens of gas station transactions and knows exactly how to structure the deal, which lenders will engage, and how to get to closing efficiently. Call us at (909) 721-5915 or submit a pre-qualification to discuss your gas station acquisition or refinance today.
