Detroit anchors a Michigan market with about 4,960 C-stores statewide, a base large enough to produce steady deal flow in fuel and convenience retail. The metro mixes busy urban corridors, where a strong station can run 100,000 to 150,000 gallons per month, with suburban and highway sites that trade on real estate and brand strength. Gas Station Trader is the fuel and C-store practice of Eagle Nest Property Group in Dallas, TX, with brokerage handled through Eagle Nest Brokerage LLC, a licensed Texas broker. We have transacted more than 250 million dollars, and principal Stuart W. Monteith is a D CEO Power Broker for 2025 and 2026. We bring underwriting discipline and national buyer reach to every Detroit assignment.
The Detroit gas station market
Michigan supports about 4,960 C-stores, and Detroit holds a meaningful share across city corridors, suburbs, and freeway interchanges. About 60% of US operators run a single store, so most Detroit sellers are independents weighing retirement, partnership exits, or a move into passive real estate. Volume varies widely. The US average is roughly 4,000 gallons per day, while a busy urban Detroit site can run 100,000 to 150,000 gallons per month. Profit follows the same split seen nationally, where in-store sales are about 30% of revenue but near 70% of profit. We help Detroit owners and buyers read that mix accurately. See our profit margins guide and the statewide Michigan market page.
Buying a gas station in Detroit
Most Detroit acquisitions are financed with SBA 7(a) debt, which caps at 5 million dollars. Special-purpose gas stations require a 15% minimum equity injection, so plan on 10% to 15% down, with real estate terms up to 25 years. As of June 2026, SBA rates run about 9% to 11.5% APR variable, and closings take 30 to 90 days. Conventional loans ask 30% to 40% down, and many banks avoid underground storage tanks due to CERCLA liability. Every SBA fuel deal needs a Phase I ESA under ASTM E1527-21, costing 1,800 to 3,500 dollars. Start with our buyer services, the loan guide, and our due diligence checklist.
Selling a gas station in Detroit
Selling well in Detroit starts with clean financials and an accurate value. Business-only deals typically trade at 2.5x to 4.0x EBITDA, with SDE multiples of 2.0x to 3.5x for smaller stores. Adding real estate moves the range to 4.0x to 7.0x EBITDA. Broker commissions run 10% to 20% on business-only sales and about 6% to 10% on real-estate-inclusive deals, and most listings sell in 3 to 6 months. We position Detroit assets to a national buyer pool, including 1031 exchange capital seeking fuel real estate. Begin with our seller services, run the numbers on the valuation calculator, and review how to sell a gas station.
Values and cap rates in Michigan
Cap rates anchor pricing on real-estate-backed Detroit deals. The national average sits near 5.6%, about 5.58% with fuel and 6.87% without it. Weaker markets price wider at 6.0% to 6.5% or higher, a useful frame for many Michigan sites outside the tightest national markets. Branded and corporate-leased assets price tighter, with Circle K examples near 5.35% to 5.65%. Real-estate-inclusive stations often sell around 8x EBITDA, reaching 7x to 9x in premium markets. Detroit values also turn on fuel volume, lease structure, and tank condition. Model scenarios with our cap rate calculator and read what is a good cap rate plus our NNN gas station listings.
