Ohio is one of the largest convenience and fuel markets in the country, with roughly 5,833 C-stores ranking it among the top 10 states by store count. Columbus, the state capital and its largest city, sits at the center of that activity. Busy urban stations across the metro can move 100,000 to 150,000 gallons per month, well above the US average of about 4,000 gallons per day, which makes site selection and underwriting the difference between an average buy and a strong one. C-Store 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, and principal Stuart W. Monteith is a D CEO Power Broker for 2025 and 2026.
The Columbus, Ohio Fuel and C-Store Market
Ohio supports about 5,833 convenience stores, one of the larger totals in the country, and Columbus anchors that base as the state capital and population center. Nationally, about 60 percent of C-stores are single-store operators, and that pattern holds across Central Ohio, where owner-operators and small groups make up much of the supply. That fragmentation creates steady deal flow for buyers and a real exit path for sellers.
Volume varies widely by corridor. Busy urban Columbus stations can move 100,000 to 150,000 gallons per month, while the US average is about 4,000 gallons per day. We underwrite each site on its own throughput, inside sales, and lease structure. See our Ohio C-stores for sale overview for statewide context.
Buying a C-Store in Columbus
Most Columbus buyers finance with SBA 7(a) or conventional debt. SBA 7(a) caps at 5 million dollars, and special-purpose C-stores require a 15 percent minimum equity injection, with 10 to 15 percent down and real estate terms up to 25 years. June 2026 rates run roughly 9 to 11.5 percent APR variable, with closings in 30 to 90 days. Conventional loans ask 30 to 40 percent down and close in 30 to 60 days, and many banks avoid underground tanks due to CERCLA liability.
Plan for a Phase I ESA at 1,800 to 3,500 dollars under ASTM E1527-21, which is required for SBA fuel deals. Start with our buyer representation, run numbers with the valuation calculator, and review the due diligence checklist.
Selling a C-Store in Columbus
Pricing a Columbus station correctly is the first step to a clean sale. Business-only deals trade at 2.5x to 4.0x EBITDA, with SDE at 2.0x to 3.5x for smaller stores. Combined real estate and business sales run 4.0x to 7.0x EBITDA, and a strong site with owned real estate can reach about 8x. Profitability matters to buyers and lenders alike, and a small-to-medium station owner often nets about 70,000 to 100,000 dollars per year, ranging to 100,000 to 500,000 dollars by site.
Broker commissions run 10 to 20 percent on business-only deals and about 6 to 10 percent when real estate is included, with sale timelines of 3 to 6 months. We package financials, position the asset, and run a disciplined buyer process. Start with seller representation or read how to sell a C-store.
Values and Cap Rates in Ohio
Cap rates set the price for income property. The national average runs about 5.6 percent, roughly 5.58 percent with fuel and 6.87 percent without. Tighter markets like Florida price near 5.11 percent, while weaker or secondary markets sit at 6.0 to 6.5 percent and above. Ohio sites outside the strongest national corridors often fall in that higher range, which means more yield for buyers and a need for sharp positioning by sellers.
Tenant credit drives the tightest pricing. Branded net-lease deals trade from Wawa at 4.83 to 5.20 percent, 7-Eleven at 5.00 to 5.40 percent, and Circle K at 5.35 to 5.65 percent. Model your number with the cap rate calculator, browse NNN C-stores, or read cap rates by state.
