Lafayette sits at the center of Acadiana, where Interstate 10, US 90 and the energy economy keep fuel volumes steady and convenience retail busy. Louisiana is a weaker-priced market than the tightest coastal states, which generally means more room on price for buyers and stronger going-in yields than you would find in Florida or Texas. That gap is the opportunity. Gas Station Trader is the fuel and C-store practice of Eagle Nest Property Group in Dallas, Texas, with brokerage through Eagle Nest Brokerage LLC, a licensed Texas broker. We have transacted more than 250 million dollars in fuel and convenience real estate, and principal Stuart W. Monteith is a D CEO Power Broker for 2025 and 2026. We work both sides of Lafayette deals with underwriting that holds up to lender and buyer scrutiny.
The Lafayette gas station and C-store market
Lafayette is the commercial hub of Acadiana, anchored by Interstate 10, US 90 and an energy workforce that drives consistent fuel demand. Across the United States there are about 152,000 convenience stores, and roughly 60 percent are single-store operators. Louisiana is full of those independents, which is where most Lafayette acquisition and exit activity happens.
Throughput is what separates a strong Lafayette site from an average one. The US average station moves about 4,000 gallons per day, while a busy urban location does 100,000 to 150,000 gallons per month. The inside sales matter more than the canopy. The C-store side is roughly 30 percent of revenue but about 70 percent of profit, with in-store margins of 20 to 40 percent against just a few cents of net fuel profit per gallon.
See our full Louisiana gas stations for sale overview for statewide context.
Buying a gas station in Lafayette
Most Lafayette buyers finance through SBA 7(a), which caps at 5 million dollars. Special-purpose gas stations require a 15 percent minimum equity injection, so plan on 10 to 15 percent down, with real estate terms up to 25 years and June 2026 rates roughly 9 to 11.5 percent APR variable. SBA closings run 30 to 90 days. Conventional financing usually demands 30 to 40 percent down, and many banks avoid underground storage tanks because of CERCLA liability, with closings in 30 to 60 days.
Budget for a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment at 1,800 to 3,500 dollars under ASTM E1527-21, which is required on SBA fuel deals. Start with our buyer representation, model the deal with the valuation calculator, and review the due diligence checklist before you sign.
Selling a gas station in Lafayette
Lafayette sellers get the best outcome when the financials are clean and the underwriting is buyer-ready before the listing goes live. We separate fuel income from inside sales, document throughput and present margins the way lenders expect to see them. A small-to-medium station owner often nets about 70,000 to 100,000 dollars per year, and stronger sites reach 100,000 to 500,000 dollars, which directly drives the price a buyer will support.
Typical sale timelines run 3 to 6 months. Business broker commissions are 10 to 20 percent on business-only deals and about 6 to 10 percent when real estate is included. We position Lafayette assets for the right buyer pool, from owner-operators to investors. Start with seller representation, weigh a sale-leaseback, and read how to sell a gas station.
Values and cap rates in Louisiana
Cap rates set the price on income-producing fuel and convenience real estate. The national gas station average is about 5.6 percent, roughly 5.58 percent with fuel and 6.87 percent without. Louisiana trades as a weaker-priced market, generally 6.0 to 6.5 percent and higher, which means higher going-in yields and more negotiating room than Florida near 5.11 percent or Texas around 5.63 percent. Branded credit tenants price tighter, with 7-Eleven at 5.00 to 5.40 percent and Circle K at 5.35 to 5.65 percent.
On a business basis, expect 2.5x to 4.0x EBITDA for fuel-only operations, 4.0x to 7.0x for a combined fuel and store business, and about 8x when prime real estate is included. Run the numbers with our cap rate calculator and study cap rates by state.
