Ohio runs about 5,833 convenience stores, the 6th largest count in the country, and Akron sits at the center of a dense northeast Ohio fuel corridor served by interstate traffic, neighborhood retail nodes, and a deep base of single-store operators who own roughly 60% of US C-stores. That mix creates steady deal flow in both branded fuel sites and independent stations. Gas Station Trader is the fuel and C-store practice of Eagle Nest Property Group in Dallas, with brokerage through Eagle Nest Brokerage LLC, a licensed Texas broker. We have transacted more than 250 million dollars and bring institutional underwriting to Akron buyers and sellers. Start with our buyer representation or seller advisory teams.
The Akron, Ohio gas station market
Akron anchors a northeast Ohio market backed by Ohio's roughly 5,833 convenience stores, the 6th largest C-store count in the US. The local supply skews toward single-store operators, who own about 60% of stations nationally, alongside branded sites tied to major and regional jobbers. That ownership profile means most Akron deals are owner-operator transactions where in-store performance drives value. C-store sales are about 30% of revenue but roughly 70% of profit, and busy urban stations run 100,000 to 150,000 gallons per month versus the US average near 4,000 gallons per day. We track Akron and Summit County inventory across branded and NNN categories. See all Ohio listings.
Buying a gas station in Akron
Most Akron acquisitions are financed through SBA or conventional debt. SBA 7(a) loans cap at 5 million dollars and require a 15% minimum equity injection on special-purpose gas stations, meaning 10% to 15% down, with real estate terms up to 25 years and closings in 30 to 90 days. June 2026 SBA rates run about 9% to 11.5% APR variable. Conventional financing typically asks 30% to 40% down, and many banks avoid underground storage tanks due to CERCLA liability. A Phase I ESA under ASTM E1527-21 costs 1,800 to 3,500 dollars and is required for SBA fuel deals. Start with our financing guidance, the due diligence checklist, and the valuation calculator.
Selling a gas station in Akron
Selling well in Akron starts with clean financials and a value supported by real numbers. Business broker commissions run 10% to 20% on business-only deals and about 6% to 10% on real-estate-inclusive transactions, with sale timelines of 3 to 6 months typical. A small-to-medium station owner often nets about 70,000 to 100,000 dollars per year, ranging to 100,000 to 500,000 by site, and that owner profit is what most Akron buyers underwrite. We position fuel volume, in-store margins of 20% to 40%, and any branded supply agreement to qualified buyers. Owners exiting via real estate can also pursue a sale-leaseback. Begin with our seller advisory and the selling guide.
Values and cap rates in Ohio
Ohio sits in the broader US pricing band rather than the tightest coastal markets. National gas station cap rates average about 5.6%, roughly 5.58% with fuel and 6.87% without fuel, while weaker markets price at 6.0% to 6.5% and higher. By tenant, credit brands compress further, with 7-Eleven at 5.00% to 5.40% and Circle K at 5.35% to 5.65%. On valuation, gas stations trade at 2.5x to 4.0x EBITDA business-only, 4.0x to 7.0x combined, and about 8x EBITDA with real estate included. Goodwill is also measured at 0.05 to 0.30 dollars per gallon of monthly throughput. Run the numbers with our cap rate calculator and review cap rate benchmarks.
