In this article, we will show you some essential steps that should be considered as a first step if you want to manage a gas station. We will also talk about how some small actions can make your station stand out among others and, of course, how much all of this will cost.

Want to know more? Come with me and I will tell you everything!

What to consider before opening a gas station

There are many challenges to opening a new gas station, after all, the competition is extensive and will have been in the market longer than you. However, if you want to open a gas station, there are some tips that can help you not start so far behind, and perhaps even ahead of other existing stations.

Location

One of the many points that are fundamental to the success or failure of a gas station is its location. When you are faced with the choice between opening a gas station located in the city center or in a place that is almost never busy, the second option will certainly be cheaper than the other. However, in the second option, the number of people at your gas station will be considerably lower.

Still on the subject of location, if you choose to open a gas station on a very busy road, that is, with a greater number of potential customers, you also need to pay attention to the accessibility of the location, because if it is difficult, no matter how many vehicles pass by, few will stop.

Infrastructure

Another fundamental factor that will make customers return to your gas station is its infrastructure. It is necessary to have a well-structured roof, for the safety and comfort of customers and attendants. It is also very important to have a large and equally well-structured patio, where cars can pass safely, as well as pedestrians.

There are also some other benefits that please customers and that can make them return to your establishment. A good example is a tire pressure pump. How many times have you thought about filling up at a certain gas station just because you needed to have your tires checked? This is a factor that will certainly bring good financial returns at a low cost. Other examples like this are: a car wash attached to the gas station, a tire repair shop, a simple mechanic’s shop, among others.

Still on the subject of infrastructure, an investment that will considerably increase the profits of a gas station is a convenience store, where the customer (when paying for the fuel) almost always gets something extra.

Other points

Getting away from your own choices, there are also bureaucracies that must be taken into account if you want to open a gas station. Since it involves the sale of risky products (flammable and explosive), several regulatory standards must be followed, for the safety of employees and customers. The main agency that regulates gas stations is the National Petroleum Agency (ANP), but along with it, gas station managers must also obtain an environmental license to sell fuel.

The bureaucracy ranges from storage tanks (usually located underground) to the distances from fuel pumps, and everything must be done within the rules.

Is it more worthwhile to open a white-label gas station or a franchised gas station?

As we mentioned in our article on white-label gas stations, this depends largely on the experience of the future manager. If the manager has extensive experience in administration, has knowledge of gas station management, and is ready to take a risk with a brand that is not yet known, a white-label gas station is certainly the best choice.

However, if the manager, for whatever reason, is not confident or has no previous experience with administration or gas stations, it is highly recommended that he or she opt for a franchised gas station, because even though part of the profits will go to the brand, administrative and management assistance will be essential for the good functioning of the gas station.

Actions that make your gas station stand out from the crowd

In addition to the infrastructure details mentioned in the topic above, there are other factors that can make your gas station stand out from the crowd. Check out some of them:

Providing good service

As with any other establishment, providing good service is essential for customers to choose your gas station over others. Be sure to carefully select your staff and monitor them to ensure they provide good service.

Keep prices within the standard range, and when possible, lower prices

Most gas station customers look for a gas station that offers lower prices than others. Therefore, if you are selling fuel at a considerably higher price, the flow of customers will tend to decrease.

Local lighting

It is not at all comfortable to be in a poorly lit gas station. Invest in lighting and comfort for your customers, from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave.

Payment methods

Nowadays, there are countless ways to move money and make payments. Therefore, the greater your range of options for customers, the greater your chances of serving a wider audience and consequently standing out.

Diversity

Just like with payment methods, the more you have to offer, the larger the audience you will be able to reach. Therefore, try to have all possible types of fuel for your business. Also present a wide variety of products in your convenience store, reaching all types of audiences, but of course, without straying too far from the environment.

How much does it cost to open a gas station?

Although it is a profitable business, a gas station is far from being a cheap business. Experts estimate that the cost of opening a gas station is between R$600,000 and R$1.5 million.

The cost varies so much because it depends on other factors, such as location, quality and comfort offered to customers. It is also important to keep in mind that the return on investment is not so quick, and takes 1 to 1 year and a half to start appearing. The latter occurs for several reasons, such as trust, regular customers, improvement based on experience, among others.