The retail fuel market is very attractive, since in Russia there are many more customers per gas station than in Europe, its marginal income reaches 15-20%. This market is also interesting because, in addition to vertically integrated oil companies, there is also a place for independent participants. Here we will look at the question of how to open a gas station, what is needed for this, what documents, how much it costs to open and a business plan for it.
Types of gas stations
If you decide to engage in this type of very profitable business, then first you need to choose the type of gas station, and there are two of them: gas station - container type - and those where fuel storage tanks are located underground and on the surface.
In many cases, gas stations are used temporarily. The stringent safety requirements imposed on them significantly increase the costs of documentation and installation of equipment, therefore retail Fuel and lubricants are becoming unprofitable. Therefore, let’s consider the gas station of the second type.
Coordination of documentation takes on average from three months to six months, construction - six months to a year. Opening a budget gas station will cost approximately 12-15 million, and it will pay for itself in 3-5 years.
Business plan
We present to you a ready-made example of a business plan for the construction of a gas station. You can download it for free.
Don't forget about franchising in this area. You can read useful information about this in the links provided at the bottom of the article.
Moreover, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs involved in the sale of automobile fuel very often buy a franchise from a large company. And in some regions, where the bulk of the market is occupied by one of these large companies, franchising becomes almost the only way of survival for independent gas stations.
Instructions on how to open
So, you have decided to start your own business in this area, but you do not know how to open a gas station, what is needed for it and what documents. Let's sort it out this question step by step.
Registration of this type of business
There is currently no requirement to license gas station activities.
The choice of taxation system for the gas station to be opened plays a major role in achieving success in this field. Almost all organizations operating in this industry choose a common system that requires payment of VAT. Suppliers in most cases do not enter into contracts with gas station companies that operate without VAT. In addition, both suppliers and corporate clients primarily cooperate with LLC - with this form of business economic activity legal and financial issues arising in the process of cooperation are resolved at a deeper level.
Land plot for construction of a gas station
One of the main criteria for success is the selection of land for the construction of a gas station. The most optimal areas are those located near a road junction, parking lot or major highway. The proximity of gas stations to populated areas is also important. It is advisable to locate gas stations in an area free of advertised gas stations. Finding a site that will meet all of the above requirements is quite difficult, but at least one of them must be met.
Do not forget that the gas station must have convenient entrances. Their markings, as well as the organization of traffic around the gas station itself, must be coordinated with road services and traffic police.
Before choosing a project, you need to analyze the location where the gas station will be located in order to determine required quantity and a complete set of fuel dispensers (fuel dispensers).
Documents
Preparing documents for a gas station to register a land plot is a very responsible process. Required condition is to comply with all requirements for the conditions of station placement, its design and subsequent construction and organization of the gas station territory. It is better to entrust the solution to these issues to specialists.
Currently, a large number of organizations offer their services for preparing project documentation, putting the facility into operation, providing the necessary papers and many other intermediate issues. All necessary documents for gas stations are accepted at the regional level, so the requirements for them may have significant differences.
Requirements
The basic requirements for the construction of gas stations are divided into four groups:
- to the location of the station;
- to design and construction;
- to buildings and structures, as well as equipment;
- sanitary, hygienic and environmental protection.
Gas stations are classified as high-risk facilities, and therefore the slightest failure to comply with any point can lead to problems associated with financial, time and moral losses.
Required to study:
- NPB 111-98 - Fire safety requirements for gas stations
Equipment required for gas stations
The market is replete with a large number of domestic and foreign models for gas stations, when choosing which it is necessary to adhere to the optimal price-quality ratio.
Almost all components necessary for the repair and maintenance of fuel dispensers can be found in specialized stores. The minimum set of equipment for a gas station, where two types of fuel will be supplied from each pump, includes:
- tank with a volume of 15 m3 - for storing and dispensing fuels and lubricants - 4 pcs.;
- tank with a volume of 15 m3 - for pumping fuel in case of an accident - 1 pc.;
- tank with a volume of 10 m3 (possibly used) - for a stormwater system - 1 pc.;
- Fuel dispenser with 2 sleeves - 2 pcs.
The dispenser equipment includes control panels, shut-off valves and cables, and the cost is affected by the model and manufacturer.
The process of fuel dispensing - from draining into the tank to submitting a daily report - is fully automated thanks to reliable software. This reduces the likelihood of troubles at gas stations caused by human factors to zero. Installation of such equipment takes several hours.
Work staff
First of all, you need to hire the following employees:
- the head of the gas station, supervising the work of the station and operators and having absolute knowledge software;
- repairman responsible for premises and equipment; it is desirable that he also understands software;
- gas station operators responsible for dispensing fuel, working with revenue, incl. handing it over to collectors - 4 people.
You definitely need to hire an electrician at the gas station that you decide to open, who can be signed up under a contract. At first, you can do without tankers.
Useful links
- How I opened a gas station // KP.RU - the story of the experiment of Komsomolskaya Pravda journalist Valery Butaev
- Gas station partnership. Part 1. Part 2 // BUYBRAND Inform – about franchising in this area
Any type of fuel is, first of all, a type of product that is in great demand, even though it becomes more and more expensive every year. Due to the popularity of any type of fuel, opening your own gas station will be just an excellent means of income for you.
But, as in every type of business, the fuel business has its own pitfalls and subtleties that must be studied. In order to study these features of opening your own gas station, you need to draw up a business plan that will help you avoid trouble. Also, a business plan will also help you organize your enterprise step by step.
Typically the solution open a gas station may arise both for an ordinary person and for a businessman - but the first thing that needs to be done before opening such a business is to conduct a market analysis and select an area of your locality that is not yet occupied by this business.
1. Overview section
In this section, you need to describe what kind of gas station you want to open (the standard version is a gas station for 8 cars).
Also, you need to indicate the organizational and legal form of doing business (as a rule, you will need to register as individual entrepreneur, but if you plan to work with corporate customers, then you should register as an “LLC”). If you register as an individual entrepreneur, this will give you several advantages, including low taxation, but the disadvantage of this type of activity is that the provision of services is possible only to private individuals. If you also want to serve legal entities, then, as stated above, you need to register as legal entity(the same as “LLC”).
The degree of success of such a business is assessed as high, since today the demand for gas stations among consumers is very high, even despite their huge number in a relatively small area and high fuel prices.
2. Description of the enterprise
This section of the business plan should describe the business you want to open. For example, you can give the following description: it is assumed opening of a gas station, which is designed for 8 parking spaces and which offers the consumer several of the most basic types of fuel.
3. Description of services
At this stage of designing your enterprise, you need to describe those services that your gas station will provide to consumers. As a rule, any gas station provides services for refueling cars with various types of fuel, the most common of which are:
1. Gasoline grade AI-98;
2. Gasoline grade AI-95;
3. Gasoline grade AI-92;
4. Gasoline grade AI-76;
5. Diesel fuel;
6. Gas (a new, but already common type of fuel).
Also, it is worth considering that your gas station will also provide free refueling services. In addition, on the territory of a gas station, you can install a store where you can sell consumer goods or open an auto goods store (you can sell both small goods for a car and full-fledged spare parts for an engine). It would also be advisable to open a car wash at the gas station, we have one.
4. Market analysis
At this stage of the business plan, you need to monitor the gas station market in your locality and establish your enterprise in an area where the concentration of gas stations is small.
In order to open your own gas station you will need a set of documentation:
1. License of the Ministry of Fuel and Energy for the storage of oil and gas, as well as their processed products;
2. Permission from local authorities to use the land for a gas station;
3. Land lease agreement issued by local authorities.
It is worth noting that the site on which your gas station will be located must be 30 meters away from the residential area.
5. Production plan
Once you have received all the permits required for opening your own gas station, the stage of drawing up a production plan begins. First of all, you need to find a contractor company that will take on the responsibility for building your gas station. Today, finding such a company is not a problem, since there are a lot of companies involved in construction. During the construction of a gas station, you should pay attention to such components as:
1. Capacity for draining and storing various types of fuel;
2. Production premises;
3. Sales store;
4. Canopy over fuel pumps.
As a rule, it only takes about a month or a month and a half to build a gas station.
After constructing the gas station building itself, you can start purchasing equipment:
1. Gas station control system;
2. Fuel pumps;
3. Equipment for the store: display cases, sales shelves, cash registers; if there is supposed to be a bar, then you need to buy both a bar counter and kitchen equipment;
4. Fire safety stand (without this equipment you simply will not be allowed to open your own gas station).
After building a gas station and installing the appropriate equipment on it, you can proceed directly to putting such a station into operation. First of all, you need to sign everything necessary agreements with fuel suppliers. This is necessary in order to ensure an uninterrupted supply of fuel to your gas station. As a rule, in large cities you will also have a choice of fuel supplier, since in such settlements there are several fairly large fuel supply companies.
By the way, if you want to make your gas station more famous, then a way of doing business such as franchising is suitable for you. This type of business will allow you to use the brand of a well-known fuel company for only 25-30 thousand rubles per year. As practice has already shown, opening a franchise is quite a profitable solution, since a well-known brand attracts consumers much more, which means that fuel sales increase significantly. But if you decide to open a franchise, then you should be prepared for the fact that the representative company will require you to comply with its corporate identity and attributes.
Once all stages have been completed, you can begin recruiting personnel. As a rule, for a gas station the following list of workers will be enough for you:
1. Salesperson-cashier (3 people will be enough to work in shifts);
2. Security guard (3 people, work in shifts, same shift as cashiers);
It is worth considering the fact that all employees of your gas station must have appropriate certificates obtained from the inspectorate for supervision in the field of circulation of petroleum products.
6. Financial plan
In this section of the business plan, you need to consider all the expenses and future income from such a business.
Expenses:
In the expense item, you need to indicate the costs of renting a site (approximately 100,000-1,500,000 rubles per year), construction of a gas station (2,000,000 rubles), equipment for gas stations (1,000,000 rubles), staff salaries (1,920,000 rubles), as well as all kinds of taxes, fees, approvals (300,000 rubles). In total, to open your own gas station you will need about 6 million rubles.
Income:
In the income item, you can indicate such income as the sale of fuel (20,000-30,000 rubles per day), the sale of various goods (6,000 rubles per day). In total, your own gas station will bring you about 800 thousand rubles per month.
After opening a gas station, you will get your invested money back in about 8 months.
Investing your savings in the gasoline business is like buying a thoroughbred stallion. First, you will have to invest a fairly large sum: “blue” blood is not cheap, and in order for the stallion to grow up smooth, playful and agile, you also need to try. However, you will soon realize that your money was not wasted. The new business will not only return the money spent in full, but will also bring significant profit. If, of course, you follow all the rules for maintaining and caring for your source of income. And, of course, you will learn a number of necessary subtleties, and our gas station business plan will help you with this.
Map of gasoline influences
First, let's take a look around and determine on the ground how much this sector of the economy has been developed. There is no doubt that activity in this area is increasing noticeably every day. Gas stations appear like mushrooms after rain. Today there are about 1.5 thousand of them in the Moscow region alone. Naturally, the gas station owners are different.
At the moment, several major players have emerged. Among them are LUKOIL, YUKOS, Rosneft, Slavneft, Sibneft, TNK, Tatneft. However, it is too early to consider this market to be permanently divided. Because its active restructuring is currently underway.
Back in the mid-90s. the state distributed the regions among different large oil companies. Rosneft got the center of Russia, in particular Moscow, Smolensk and some other regions. TNK received the Ryazan region, YUKOS - Buryatia. Each company developed a business strictly in the territory allotted to it, built its own infrastructure there - oil refineries, oil depots, a network of gas stations, and did not try to penetrate the neighbor’s fence.
Until 2001, all major oil companies strictly adhered to the established rules of the game. And then the picture began to change dramatically - the main players stopped complying with territorial obligations and began to penetrate into areas of interest to them, becoming competitors of the structures already deployed there. Thus, Sibneft was actually the last to enter the Central Russian market. Therefore, she had to seize territories that already belonged to someone. Now the company is poorly represented in the Moscow region, but has already “set its sights” on part of this market. And LUKOIL, which had not previously sought to enter the capital, set itself the task of owning more than a hundred gas stations in Moscow and the Moscow region. It is planned that the company's share in this market will be 10%. In fact, such tactics of diversifying investments are now very popular among large players: in each region, giant companies are trying to cover approximately this market segment.
However, the aggressive policy also has its advantage - it benefits the consumer, because the giants are doing their best to promote their brands in the country. How can you surprise a buyer who is unaccustomed to commodity shortages these days? Only the level of service and the quality of the product.
However, despite the active changes, there are still uninhabited areas in the oil business, i.e. free seats. And if you are excited about the idea of entering this market, then it is better to immediately choose your path. You can do everything yourself: build your own gas station and run your business completely independently. That is, to become a so-called “jobber”. Another option is to organize a company under the trademark of a well-known oil company, entering into a franchising relationship with it.
Today, both direct subsidiaries of LUKOIL, YUKOS, Rosneft and other large players, as well as private owners, are appearing in large numbers. Moreover, many oil companies are rapidly revising plans for the construction of new gas stations towards intensification, trying to have time to acquire their own trading network before the general fall in prices for export oil. Experts believe that by 2005 the market retail It will be saturated with gasoline and new pumps will not be needed.
Gas station construction cost
First, you will have to rent land and acquire special licenses for storing oil, gas and their products. Licenses are issued by the Ministry of Fuel and Energy. However, you should not be afraid of difficulties. There is a very small fee for processing documents at the ministry.
But you will have to pay for the right to build a gas station on a specific site. Land, for example, in the Moscow region, with the preparation of all the necessary documents, will cost $100,000. There are companies that, for this money, will take care of all the paperwork and organizational red tape and bring ready-made documents to your office. The high cost is explained by the fact that in Russia there are quite strict construction standards, and hence the need to coordinate construction documents with various authorities.
It is for this reason that mini-gas stations are not yet possible in our country, as is customary in many Western countries. But a small gasoline tank and just one pump on the sidewalk in Paris, for example, bring huge profits. Alas, our SNiPs and rules do not allow us to conduct business in this way. Therefore, there is not a single gas station inside the boulevard ring in Moscow. They say it’s close to home – less than 30 m. Although such trade would be extremely profitable. Any aspiring gasoline seller, when choosing a potential location for his gas station, should keep this figure in mind.
Naturally, you cannot do without special equipment. The cheapest minimum set of 2 columns and a computer costs $40,000. But two columns are too small a gas station, although they are capable of dispensing several types of fuel at once. Usually there are at least four pumps at a gas station. Of course, there are differences between columns: there are cheaper models, and there are more expensive ones. Typically, savvy businessmen spend from $100,000 to $200,000 on equipment.
And everything else: access roads, a building for the operator, gasoline tanks - at a minimum - from $50,000. This is if you decide to do without a store, car wash and auto repair shop. But at first they are not necessary. In general, a turnkey gas station costs $500,000. This includes all permits, land and other associated costs.
The most important thing is not to get too carried away with bank loans in pursuit of future profits. Now gas stations of many companies are mortgaged for debts. Their owners took out a loan and built a gas station with the money they received. However, they were in no hurry to repay the debt, and they took out a new loan as collateral for the finished gas station in order to build another gas station. The result was a pyramid. Moreover, it is quite shaky. Such a business can disappear in an instant. Well, if the margin received from the gas station is high, then perhaps there will be enough money for everything. It will also be possible to repay the debt. What if there is a crisis? Or will wholesale fuel prices skyrocket? In such situations, gasoline sales volumes at gas stations fall, and gas stations built on the word of honor are threatened with bankruptcy.
Franchising
Many gasoline sellers believe that the favorable location of a gas station and its technical equipment do not guarantee sustainable profits. That's why so-called franchising is popular today. A small gas station owner, using the brand of one of the well-known oil companies, increases sales. As the experience of the Smolensk region has shown, only moving under the wing of LUKOIL doubles the sale of gasoline at an ordinary private gas station.
A franchise agreement costs a gas station owner only $700 per year. In fact, this is a rental fee for a well-known trademark. At first, nothing else will be required from you. But in exchange you can receive gasoline of proven quality. If, of course, this is geographically possible. When choosing a patron company, first find out if there is an oil depot or oil refinery that it owns near you. Otherwise, there may be interruptions in the supply of quality fuel. After all, you can’t carry gasoline from afar: the capacity of the most common ZIL fuel tanker is 12 cubic meters. m, and more powerful cars are able to transport up to 40 cubic meters. m.
Keep in mind that when concluding a franchising agreement with you, after some time the company will require detailed compliance with its corporate identity. According to large companies, this increases the competitiveness of gas stations. For example, LUKOIL has released an entire brochure with recommendations on the use of corporate identity for gas stations cooperating with it. This brochure covers every detail: what size and color signs should be, what uniforms staff should wear, at what height flags should be hung, and even how to place trash cans. So, you will have to rebuild the gas station according to a certain standard. Remodeling can be very expensive - up to $150,000. In order not to waste money in vain, it is better to build a gas station for “someone” from the very beginning.
Where and how much to buy gasoline
An important element of the gasoline business is a close relationship with the tank farm or refinery. Here you can negotiate better wholesale prices and arrange the most convenient mode for receiving goods. For example, on consignment terms. However, no matter how much you flirt directly with the oil depot, experience still shows that it is most profitable to establish relations with a large oil company that has both its own oil depot and the rest of the infrastructure. This guarantees the quality of gasoline.
To better navigate the wholesale fuel prices, it is useful to use the Internet. The most complete and up-to-date information is on the website www.kortes.ru. Daily information costs about $50. However, there is also a free way - through the Internet exchange for the sale and purchase of petroleum products (www.nge.ru). True, analytical information about market trends is still provided for money.
Prices today in the European part of Russia.
The highest selling prices for gasoline grades A-76/80, A-92 and AI-95/96 are from the Kinef plant (Surgutneftegaz Oil Company) - 9015.6; 11763.6 and 12813.6 rubles/t, respectively.
Lowest selling price:
for gasoline grade A-76/80 from the Salavat NOS plant - 6612.0 rubles/t;
for gasoline grade A-92/93 at the Moscow Refinery (NK Sibneft) - 8500.0 rubles/t;
for AI-95/96 gasoline from the NK Slavneft plant (Yaroslav NOS) - 10,000.0 rubles/t.
Highest price:
for winter diesel fuel at the Ukhtaneftepererabotka plant (LUKOIL Oil Company) - 8500.0 rubles/t;
for summer diesel fuel at LUKOIL plants (Nizhny Novgorod NOS and Volgogradneftepererabotka) - 7450.0 rubles/t.
Lowest price:
for winter diesel fuel at the Nizhnekamsk Oil Refinery (NK Tatneft) - 6,700.0 rubles/t;
for summer diesel fuel from the Salavat NOS plant - 5800.0 rubles/t.
Prices today outside the Urals.
The highest selling prices for gasoline of the A-76/80, A-92/93 and Ai-95/96 brands are at the Angarsk Petrochemical Company (NK YUKOS) - 8200.1; 10200.0 and 11600.2 rubles/t, respectively.
Lowest price:
for gasoline grade A-76/80 - Surgut ZSK - 6832.0 rubles/t;
for gasoline grades A-92/93 and AI-95/96 - Omsk Oil Refinery (NK Sibneft) - 8900.0 and 10300.0 rubles/t, respectively.
The highest selling prices for summer and winter diesel fuel are at the Angarsk Petrochemical Company (NK YUKOS) - 6600.0 and 9400.1 rubles/t, respectively.
The cheapest summer and winter diesel fuel is from the Omsk Oil Refinery (NK Sibneft) - 6200.0 and 8500.0 rubles/t, respectively.
Selling prices include everything indirect taxes: excise duty, value added tax (VAT), tax on the sale of fuels and lubricants (NDF).
We must remember that this does not always happen. The Tax Code allows excise taxes to be collected both from oil refineries and tank farms, and from gas stations. Therefore, when buying gasoline, you need to pay attention to what exactly is included in the selling price of fuel. Indeed, depending on this, the price gap can be significant. The excise tax in Russia for A-76(80) gasoline is 2190 rubles/t, for A-92 and A-95 - 3000 rubles/t, for diesel fuel - 890 rubles/t.
Safety
There is an opinion that the gasoline business is criminal. However, the level of its criminalization is no higher than throughout the country. Local authorities are not interested in the death of an enterprise that lays “golden eggs.” True, in response they force owners to take maximum precautions. A modern gas station should resemble a banking institution, and not an ordinary minimarket. Doors and windows should certainly be made armored, and the cashier and his equipment should not be visible. Plus, under no circumstances does the cashier have the right to open the door and go outside during working hours.
Every gas station must have a panic button. According to the agreement, a police team will urgently arrive at the gas station if something happens. The contract costs little: on the highway - 1000 rubles. per month, in the city - 7,000 rubles. per month. If there is a store, then it should still have its own paramilitary security. Salaries of security guards can vary greatly - from 3,000 rubles. up to $3000
Opinion Now the market is gradually becoming saturated, and it is not so much the supply of gasoline that is coming to the fore, but the desire to provide the buyer with a quality product. Today this is the basis of competition. And high quality can only be achieved if the company has a vertically integrated structure. That is, everything: refineries, oil depots, and gas stations.
It may not be profitable to transport gasoline directly from refineries, because... it may be very far from the gas station. Then supply disruptions cannot be ruled out. You never know what will happen along the way, and the fuel truck will not arrive on time. At this time, gas at the gas station will run out. We'll have to contact the nearest oil depots. What you will get from them is not known in advance. Typically, companies deliver approximately 100 tons of fuel to the oil depot and place it in storage. And then, as needed, they take the same amount. As a rule, what they get back is not their own gasoline: either brought by another company, or completely mixed. After all, other enterprises can deposit gasoline of their production. And who will guarantee that their products are of the same good level as yours? As a result, the quality of the goods received may decline.
Until now, almost all major sellers are content with socialized gasoline. There is nowhere else to get another one. So gas station employees have to acquire so-called samples: small bottles that are sealed immediately after the gasoline is delivered to the gas station. Even the driver autographs them, saying that he delivered gasoline of normal quality under personal responsibility. This will be required in case of litigation, if you have to make claims against the oil depot.
So far, 90% of gasoline on the market is, alas, low-octane A-80. It is not suitable for a normal car. Therefore, with the help of special additives it is brought to the level of 92 or 95. However, this does not mean that gasoline becomes excellent. We must remember that quality attracts buyers. People are ready, if anything, to wait even a day and not refuel, just to get good fuel. Quality is the main thing now! Companies are making extraordinary decisions. For example, LUKOIL tints its gasoline so that car owners know: this fuel came directly from the proprietary LUKOIL oil depot, and a car filled with it will not suddenly stop.
Personnel
The main problem for gas stations is staffing. Especially if the station is located far from a large populated area. Qualified personnel are difficult to find. A gas station employee must, at a minimum, be proficient in using a personal computer. However, often people who offer themselves cannot even find “enter” on the keyboard.
According to the rules, each gas station employee must have a special certificate confirming his professional training. Therefore, it is necessary to either outbid specialists or teach them. However, a whole training system has been established. As part of oil inspection, there are mandatory courses. If you want to sell gasoline, send your employees there for training. The cost of the courses is about 2000 rubles. per person. Moreover, everyone must complete them: drivers, cashiers, and gas station attendants. The oil inspectorate then certifies the workers.
Control
The quality of gas station work is monitored by a number of inspection organizations. And you must always be prepared for this. For example, oil inspection representatives often visit gas stations completely unexpectedly.
However, besides them, there are other inspectors: the trade inspectorate, the tax service, firefighters. However, you shouldn’t be afraid of the latter. Compliance with fire safety rules is primarily beneficial to the owner of a gas station, because it is better to sit “on a powder keg” with insurance. As for the tax authorities, experience shows that it is not profitable to run away from taxes at gas stations. It’s better to trade conscientiously and stay in this market longer, because the profit is already quite sufficient.
Sales norms
If we talk about the provinces, then usually a gas station sells an average of 3-5 cubic meters. m of gasoline per day. However, if you clearly care about the quality of your product, you can increase these indicators. Today, when there is no shortage of gasoline to speak of, it is quality that enters the battle for the buyer. Thus, the experience of the Smolensk branch of LUKOIL showed that it is possible to sell 10-15 cubic meters. m of gasoline per day and even higher. Average sales data for gasoline in Smolensk and the Smolensk region are presented in table. 1, 2. In general, the sales record belongs to the gas station located at 99 km of the Moscow-Minsk highway - 100 cubic meters. m per day.
Table 1. Average daily sales of fuel and lubricants at gas stations in Smolensk (44 gas stations)
Brand Volume, cubic meters m
Table 2. Average daily sales of fuels and lubricants at gas stations in the Smolensk region. (194 gas stations)
Brand Volume, cubic meters m
The turnover and profitability of gas stations largely depend on the location of the station. If you work on a franchising basis, then the choice of the company under whose flag the fuel is sold also plays a significant role. The quality of the roads on which the gas station is located is of great importance. A simple example. In 1998 After the crisis, the flow of transport decreased by 4-5 times. They started buying less gasoline. Only now the sales level has recovered. Now other criteria are important. The flow of traffic is affected by the road surface. People don't want to drive on bad roads, killing their car. And if there are potholes and potholes around the gas station, it means they won’t come there for gasoline. It is obvious that in the near future, gasoline competition in the domestic market will force entrepreneurs to take up roads.
There are other ways to attract clients. Increasingly, gas station owners are starting to build gas station complexes. There you can buy gasoline, wash and repair your car, and at the same time eat and even spend the night. The pioneers were British Petroleum gas stations. There are McDonald's restaurants next to some of their gas stations.
Now everyone wants to do this. LUKOIL has entered into contracts with Rostix, and the sale of fried chicken will be organized at its gas stations. YUKOS took the Kopeyka chain of stores as its partners.
Professional tricks
In this business there are some small, but quite expensive tricks. And the owner of a gas station must constantly remember this. Thus, it is known that gasoline greatly increases in volume at high temperatures. Employees of oil depots and gas stations often play on this, stealing goods. For example, a fuel tanker driver on a summer day can stock up on canisters so that on the way he can drain the fuel that has increased in volume from a tank hot in the sun. When the tank is large, the volume of “extra” gasoline becomes substantial. As a result, your losses increase. Let's say 1 liter of 92 gasoline costs 10 rubles. The canister contains 20 liters. And there may be a dozen of these canisters! So at one point, 100 of your dollars disappeared into the driver’s pockets.
Gasoline receivers are also cunning: during acceptance, they forcefully “stick the measuring stick” into the gasoline storage container. This causes the liquid to splash and form a wave. This is where the amount of gasoline is measured. True, the volume is determined by the lower risk, in the place where the wave just left.
As a result, the drained liquid remains unaccounted for. Pennies, at first glance. But when we are talking about a capacity of 100 tons, then one division is equal to several thousand rubles. And this can happen day after day.
In order not to burn out on gasoline, you again need to take into account a number of subtleties related to the specifics of this substance. For example, it is known that gasoline evaporates quickly, especially in summer. Moreover, the higher its octane number, the faster the evaporation process occurs. Therefore, if your gas station is located on the highway, you should not stock up on expensive 98-grade gasoline on a hot day. Limousines rarely drive there, and waiting for all the gasoline to evaporate is, to say the least, stupid. Every day the losses are estimated at thousands of rubles.
Of course, in this business, as in many others, there is always a rate of attrition. It is included in the tonnage when purchasing flammable substances. This rate is not high, about the same as in the alcoholic beverage industry - 0.01%. But with large volumes, the loss can result in a very significant figure. So it's best to always try to cut your losses.
Retail trade in petroleum products is traditionally a high-margin type of business not only in Russia, but also in almost all countries where motor transport exists. However, this business plan uses two strategic concepts to help you confidently enter this highly competitive market and earn your guaranteed profits.
The first trend is due to the fact that, despite all the economic difficulties in the country, automobile market after some consolidation and even a decline, it is confidently growing by no less than 2-3% per year. It is worth noting that over the past 10 years, Russia’s automobile fleet has actually doubled and reached more than 56 million vehicles. This is approximately 250 - 300 cars per 1000 people. This trend will continue in the future, since the Russian market is still far from being saturated.
The second basic element of the business concept is the fact that motor fuel belongs to the category of goods that have inelastic demand, and is in demand by the population in the same way as basic food products - bread and milk. A significant positive point here is that the gas station business is completely protected from inflationary costs and the rise in fuel prices, in some cases even exceeding the rate of inflation, allows you to receive an additional portion of the profit. Over the past five years, average prices for motor gasoline in the country have increased in the range from 30 to 44%.
In addition, it should also be borne in mind that the increase in the number of electric vehicles on roads poses minor risks for the fuel market. These risks are still minimal, and in the next few years the gas station business will be highly profitable even with the high cost of entry into this market.
The initial investment amount is 3 710 000 rubles
Break-even point is reached on the second month of work.
Payback period 17 months.
Average net profit 230 000 rubles
2. Description of the business, product or service
The gas station is located on the city border between a suburban area, an industrial area and several residential areas, which provides access to the main categories of customers. The nearest gas stations of competing companies are located 10 km and 15 km away.
The main types of motor fuel sold at gas stations comply with GOST 32513-2013, GOST 1667-68:
- automobile gasoline "AI 98 - premium" (for cars of Euro-5 standard);
- automobile gasoline AI 95;
- automobile gasoline AI - 92;
- diesel fuel - diesel fuel.
Motor fuel is purchased directly from regional wholesale dealers of petroleum products, with an average markup of no more than 20-30%.
The gas station operates around the clock in a semi-automatic mode, under the control of a shift operator. In the future, we are considering expanding the range of gas station services - this is the opening of a small 24-hour cafe, a tire workshop and a car wash.
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3. Description of the sales market
To characterize and analyze the local sales market for motor fuel (petroleum products), it is possible to use with sufficient accuracy data regarding the general dynamics of the fuel market, both in Russia as a whole and in its individual regions.
For practical purposes of studying any local market, you first need to take into account the values of three main parameters:
Competitive environment of the fuel market and distribution of its shares between the main players. In the country as a whole, the fuel market, in which most gas stations operate, can be described as a monopoly, where large oil companies (vertically integrated holdings) occupy a predominant position, about 80%. These are such well-known federal brands as Lukoil, Rosneft, TNK BP, Gazprom Neft, Surgutneftegaz and others. The share of fuel holdings exceeds 35% in the retail markets of 50 constituent entities of the Federation. In every third region it reached 50–60%. Rosneft dominates in 15 regions, LUKOIL in 11, Surgutneftegaz in four, TNK-BP and Gazprom Neft each control three regional fuel markets. According to FAS estimates, the total share of the largest oil companies in the motor gasoline market exceeds 70% (source www.gks.ru).
Currently, there are 24–25 thousand gas stations in the Russian Federation
(gas stations) and only 8 thousand are part of large monopoly companies, but sales volumes amount to more than 50%.
That is, sales volumes of monopolists at their corporate gas stations are on average 3 times higher than at independent gas stations. On average, for each region of the country, an entrepreneur entering the market as an independent seller of motor fuel can count on a maximum of 30% of the market, which in turn is also divided between independent gas stations.
Market capacity. The basis for calculating market capacity is data such as the number of cars in a particular region per inhabitant, the average length of the road network (route), preferred types of fuel and the use of certain formats of gas station services.
According to the analytical agency Autostat, as of January 1, 2017, about 41 million passenger cars were registered in Russia.
You can also take into account such a figure as the number of cars per gas station on average in the country.
The length of highways in Russia is 1 million 396 thousand kilometers, and one gas station accounts for 56.9 kilometers. Analysis of roads, for example, in the Kurgan region shows that out of the total number of roads: 730 km of roads federal significance, 2035 km regional, 5863 municipal and 8597 local. Of these, 8955 km are paved roads. Then there are 44 km of paved roads per gas station. Thus, an average gas station, when located on a highway within 40-50 km, can count on servicing 2000 - 2500 cars.
Characteristics of the target group of clients and analysis of their preferences. Each of the categories of motorists (private, corporate, freight transport, company transport) has its own preferences in the market, which is ultimately expressed in the demand for certain gas station services and types of fuel.
- 77.7% of surveyed motorists prefer to refuel at large gas stations;
- 20.3% see no difference;
- 2% claim that they use the services of small gas stations.
Thus, a small-format gas station can count on a market share of 22 - 23% of all motorist customers, attracting them not only with prices, additional services, but also with fuel quality.
4. Sales and marketing
5. Production plan
To register a gas station business in accordance with the legal and regulatory requirements of the laws of the Russian Federation, two processes should be implemented to obtain documents permitting commercial operation.
The first point is related to registering a gas station as a business. The best option for a small gas station is to register it as an individual entrepreneur. This format of legal registration has already been worked out quite clearly in tax inspectorates. If the application is filled out correctly and the founder’s passport is provided, the entire process will take no more than 3 working days and will cost no more than 10,000 rubles. (opening an account, making and registering a seal, registering with extra-budgetary funds).
The second point is related to the registration of the gas station as an industrial facility, and one that has the highest category of fire hazard during operation. In order to begin construction, commissioning and further operation, it is necessary to prepare the following documents (in the general order of the sequence of work with them):
- Conclusion of a lease agreement with the owner of the land plot (for 49 years).
- Obtaining permission or land allotment for the construction of a high-risk facility from local authorities (city or district departments of architecture).
- Obtaining permission to build and open a gas station with the approval of the local authority executive branch(city mayor's office or municipal committee, city duma).
- Obtaining approval for gas station design documentation from local departments of Rostechnadzor.
- Obtain permission from the SES to trade in fuel;
- Obtain a license from the regional branch of the Ministry of Fuel and Energy for the sale and storage of fuel and lubricants;
- Obtain permission from the local fire department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations to store fuel (the station must be equipped with all fire-fighting equipment);
- Conclude an agreement with a company for waste removal from the territory of the gas station;
- Concluding an agreement with a municipal company to carry out deratization;
- Have appropriate quality certificates for each batch of fuel from suppliers.
In addition, all gas station equipment must be certified for compliance with technical operation requirements and compliance with fire safety rules. This applies not only to fuel distribution equipment, but also to gas station computers. Even furniture used by gas station personnel must undergo antistatic treatment, for which an appropriate certificate must be obtained from companies licensed by the Ministry of Emergency Situations to carry out this type of work.
As Russian practice shows, to register all permitting documents, starting from the construction of a gas station until its final commissioning, it will take approximately 3-4 months of intensive work with departments and other official bodies. At the same time, the amount of financial resources spent on the entire registration procedure can range from 200 to 500 thousand rubles for a gas station alone.
For the practical implementation of the gas station project, this business plan considers the following option for choosing a location, building premises and purchasing equipment.
Choosing a construction site. In order to ensure necessary profitability The gas station's location was chosen to be a plot of land located on the border of the city and the suburban area, in close proximity to two residential areas and on the highway leading to the industrial zone. The area of the land plot is 900 sq. m. m., which is enough to simultaneously service 4 cars. Refueling is carried out by 4 fuel pumps with different types of fuel. Also on the site there is a gas station pavilion with an operator service, a room for fire-fighting equipment, and fuel storage tanks. Provision is made for the placement of an overpass for inspection of cars by gas station customers.
Room. To accommodate operators, equip office premises, and also taking into account the prospect of opening a small retail outlet, it is planned to build a gas station premises with an area of 65 square meters. m. For construction, a pavilion-type block frame structure will be used, as well as a covered overpass designed to serve 4 cars simultaneously.
Equipment. To equip gas stations with the necessary fuel, control and fire-fighting equipment, standard kits are used directly from manufacturers and their official suppliers.
The list of equipment is as follows:
1. 4 metal containers with a stainless coating for storing 4 types of fuel with a capacity of 30 cubic meters. m each.
2. Emergency fuel storage tank - 20 cubic meters. m
3. Fire tank with a capacity of 10 cubic meters. m.
4. Fuel dispensers with electronic fuel consumption sensors
5. Automated system gas station management, integrated with card payment systems, POS payment terminal and peripheral computer equipment.
As ready-made technological solutions, you can use standard software packages for gas stations from manufacturers (brands) - SCADA TRACE, IT Oil, S&B, Smart Oil, SetOil.
6. Fire fighting equipment. Its kit includes fire extinguishers (powder, carbon dioxide, foam), sand, buckets, shovels, crowbars, as well as a fire alarm system and a stationary water extinguishing system.
7. Security and video surveillance system.
6. Organizational structure
For the full operation of the gas station in the format of this business plan, it is expected to involve the following employees:
1. Manager. The responsibilities of a gas station manager include general management, uninterrupted fuel supply, monitoring the implementation of the sales plan, primary management reporting, direct work with fuel suppliers and corporate clients. It is advisable for an applicant for this position to have a specialized education in the field of transport logistics or enterprise management.
2. Art. master technologist. The responsibilities of this staff unit include direct monitoring of the operation of all gas station equipment, timely identification of faults, taking measures to eliminate violations, monitoring the condition of critical equipment, and replenishing consumables and spare parts. For this position, it is advisable to hire a specialist with a specialized education as a technologist or engineer, with at least 5 years of work experience.
2. Operator. The operator’s responsibilities include direct service to gas station customers, dispensing fuel, working with a special program for accounting for fuel and the movement of funds, collecting revenue at the end of the shift, and accounting for fuel dispensing.
For reference accounting An outsourced specialist is hired.
The calculation of the payroll for 24 months, taking into account the bonus part and insurance contributions, is presented in the financial model.
7. Financial plan
The sales plan for 24 months, taking into account seasonality, the forecast of investment efficiency and the calculation of economic indicators of the business are presented in the financial model.
8. Risk factors
According to its main characteristics, the gas station business belongs, on the one hand, to a highly competitive type of commerce, and on the other hand, it has a significant risk associated with technological and fire safety. In general, all the risks inherent in this direction entrepreneurial activity, look like this:
Commercial risks. In this risk group special attention One should pay attention to the actions of the closest competitors, and first of all, the gas stations of network monopolists of the local fuel market. They can use price dumping and a more expanded range of customer loyalty marketing tools to eliminate independent dealers from the market. The main measure to counter this risk is to work with a specific target group of consumers, for example, establishing long-term partnerships with commercial companies that have their own fleet of vehicles.
Another business risk that poses a serious threat to small and independent gas stations is the sharp increase in fuel prices. Under these conditions, the buyer instantly switches to the services of network gas stations, which can hold the price for a long time at a level that is profitable for them, thus taking away some of the customers from independent gas station operators.
An important commercial risk is the general decrease in the purchasing power of customers, which leads to a decrease in gross revenue over a fairly long period (people begin to reduce the total number of trips). This risk can only be counteracted if the independent gas station has a significant margin of financial strength and the business is not burdened with a credit load.
Technological risks. As a rule, this group of risks includes unfavorable man-made factors that can lead to either a partial shutdown of the business or its complete cessation. This includes equipment failure and unqualified actions of personnel. To neutralize such risks, it is necessary to apply not only methods of insurance of the entire business or civil liability for damage to third parties, but also constantly conduct trainings, teaching a person how to act in certain cases.
Legal risks. This group of risks includes such negative factors as, for example, tightening requirements for gas station equipment, fire safety by regulatory authorities, price regulation of the fuel market by local (regional) authorities. Very often, such requirements are unexpected, requiring entrepreneurs not only to quickly respond to eliminate identified violations, but also to invest additional financial resources.
As a conclusion, it should be noted that gas stations are gradually changing their usual format of working with customers. This comes down not only to the fact that at the gas station you can buy some types of automotive chemicals, or make minor repairs, have lunch or buy a glass of coffee. Quite a few gas stations, especially in Europe, Japan and China, are beginning to adapt to a new type of car owner. These are primarily hybrid cars and electric vehicles. And gradually, such familiar gas stations will turn into stations for recharging and changing batteries, as well as for providing car sharing services, when anyone can rent an electric car (electric moped) for a short trip around the city and the immediate surroundings.
Retail sale of automobile fuel is a highly profitable business. For this reason, many novice entrepreneurs are wondering: how to open a gas station from scratch and how much does it cost?
In this article we will look at how to open a gas station and present a detailed example of a business plan with calculations. We will also find out what permits are needed for this, and calculate the size of the required financial investments in order to understand how much it costs to open a gas station.
Business specifics
Opening your own gas station is not an easy task and requires a lot of entrepreneurial experience. This type of business requires investing a lot of money, so it is worth making an adequate assessment of your financial capabilities. Not every newcomer will be able to compete with Rosneft gas stations.
Experts do not recommend this type of entrepreneurship if you are opening your first business. It will be easier for market newcomers to open a gas station as a franchise and work under the wing of a well-known brand. In this case, they will be provided with stable fuel supplies and a wide base of potential customers.
Running a business independently involves searching for loyal suppliers with flexible terms of cooperation and stable, regular supplies of fuel. As a rule, such suppliers are small oil refineries.
Drivers often give preference to gas stations with a well-known name, which must also be taken into account. To win regular visitors, we can recommend introducing your own system of cumulative bonuses for regular customers, so that it is profitable for them to refuel with you. It is constantly necessary to generate new ideas for promoting your brand.
Every year the number of motorists increases, and hence the demand for automobile fuel. The very high barrier to entry into this niche is compensated for sufficiently quick payback, and for this you need to draw up the necessary business plan.
First steps
First of all, you need to study the gas station market and assess the level of supply in your region. Determine your competitive advantages. At this stage, it is worth understanding whether you will run a completely independent business, or resort to franchising.
There are two more ways to become the owner of your own gas station: buy a ready-made business or become a tenant.
Services for the sale of fuel and lubricants are subject to licensing. You will have to take care in advance of obtaining a license for the right to store and sell fuel. This right is confirmed by the presence of documents stamped in the established format.
Two different formats
As already noted, before opening your own gas station, you need to decide on the fundamental principle of your future business. This can be a completely independent activity or franchising. Going free in this area and opening a gas station from scratch, without having the relevant experience, is too risky an undertaking due to many complex nuances.
According to experts, the best option for a beginning entrepreneur is to work under a franchise from leading market leaders. A recognizable logo of a large company such as Gazprom or Lukoil always attracts car enthusiasts.
Franchising has a number of advantages, including:
- Assistance from experienced specialists at the stage of opening a business.
- Consulting during the organization of gas station operation.
- Ensuring fuel supplies from reliable suppliers.
- Working on behalf of a well-known brand means a steady flow of clients.
Buying a franchise also has its disadvantages:
- strict adherence to corporate standards;
- lack of freedom in matters pricing policy;
- mandatory and regular franchise payments.
Having decided on the format of the business, you should consider the issue of registering it with municipal and tax authorities. Large companies like Gazprom operate on a common taxation system, therefore, they are VAT payers.
For this reason, suppliers such as Rosneft cannot include transactions with individual entrepreneurs in their expenses and income. Hence the main recommendation: a gas station requires registration as a legal entity - a Limited Liability Company (LLC). After acquiring this status, your company will have its own corporate seal.
Having registered your business, you can proceed to the next, no less important steps - choosing the location of your future gas station and preparing design estimates.
Selecting a location
Location is an extremely important issue, both from the point of view of potential profitability and from the point of view of security requirements. You will need to study a lot of information about the state of the market. You should carefully analyze the traffic flow in your city and the availability of vacant land.
Gas stations are usually located on busy highways and junctions. Refueling must be provided with convenient access. The size of the required area is determined by the following criteria:
- A variety of types of fuel sold (gasoline, diesel fuel, methane, propane).
- Number of dispensers.
- Presence/absence of operating cafes, mini-stores, etc. within the gas station.
The average plot area is usually 100 m2.
You can download it here to use as an example.
Project preparation
Every new enterprise, especially a large one, requires high-quality design preparation. Here specialized design organizations are at your service. They begin their work with a well-written technical specification.
The design documents of the planned structure must take into account many requirements for high-risk facilities. The current building regulations provide for the implementation of the following standards:
- fire protection;
- sanitary;
- environmental protection
According to established standards, gas stations cannot be located at a distance of less than 30 m from residential buildings, schools, kindergartens and other public institutions. The placement of gas stations must not violate the current city general plan.
You should be mentally prepared to work with many licensing authorities. Approval procedures take a lot of time and effort. It is necessary to take into account the considerable time required for project approval. Many entrepreneurs managed to resolve this issue within six months.
After approval of the gas station project, construction work on the construction of basic infrastructure can begin. A parallel process will be the search and purchase of technological equipment.
Equipment selection
Today's market is replete with offers from both foreign and domestic manufacturers. You should not chase cheapness in this matter, because the quality of the equipment largely depends on its service life. Of course, it is worth carefully studying the existing offers and finding among them the optimal one in terms of price and quality.
Its minimum composition may look like this:
- Fuel storage tank, V=15 m3 – 4 pcs.
- Emergency fuel storage tank, V=15 m3 – 1 pc.
- Capacity for storm drainage system, V=10 m3 – 1 pc.
- Fuel dispenser (fuel dispenser) with two sleeves – 2 pcs.
If it is technically possible, it is better to connect the storm drainage system to city communications. In addition to purchasing the basic equipment, you will need various shutoff valves, cables, and remote controls. A separate stage will be setting up the software for maximum automation of the gas station. The software's tasks also include printing out information balances.
A mandatory part of the work will be the installation of security alarms and CCTV cameras. The high cost of material and technical assets and the increased danger of the facility require proper organizational security measures.
Integral elements are the laying of high-quality asphalt pavement and the installation of rain shelters. The road surface requires the application of the required markings using wear-resistant paints and varnishes.
Gas stations selling gaseous automobile fuel require specialized equipment.
Gas stations
Market experts highly appreciate the prospects for the development of gas stations that sell gaseous fuel. No wonder Gazprom is actively developing this area.
The organization of methane gas stations requires ensuring the technological possibility of inserting into the communications of the city gas pipeline. If your gas station sells propane, then start searching for appropriate equipment and a supplier of this type of fuel in advance. The operation of a gas filling station requires the purchase of additional compressor equipment.
The quality of construction work depends, first of all, on the qualifications of the performers. Let's look at the issue of required personnel in more detail below.
Staff
Considering that the gas station operates around the clock, work should be organized in several shifts. The following staff are required to perform each work shift:
- cashier – 1 person;
- fuel dispenser operator – 2 people;
- security guard – 1 person.
To ensure a stable supply of fuel, a car gas station requires a supply department. The staff should also include repairmen and electricians in case of equipment failure. Financial statements should be entrusted to an experienced accountant with a personal seal.
The staff must be neat, polite and attentive to customers. Service at Gazprom-level gas stations is at a solid level. You should look up to him. For recognition, you need to order the production of original uniforms for the employees of your gas station.
Opening cost
We will calculate the estimated cost of opening a gas station on your own and the possible amount of income from its operation. The figures below may vary depending on each specific region. The cost of purchasing and renting a plot of land can vary, even within the same city.
So, the average items of expenses and income look like this:
| 1 | Purchase of land | 15÷25 million rub. | |
| Preparation of design and estimate documentation and registration of permits | 2 million rubles |
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| 3 | Construction work | 6÷10 million rub. | |
| 4 | Purchase of capital equipment | 3 million rubles | |
| 5 | Payment of utilities | 0.120 million rubles/year | |
| 6 | Wages personnel | 5.5 million rubles/year | |
| 7 | Purchasing fuel | 10 million rubles/year | |
| 8 | Payment of duties, taxes and fees | 1.5 million rubles/year | |
| 9 | Depreciation charges | 2 million rubles/year | |
| 10 | Sales of fuel to the public | 24 million rubles/year | |
| 11 | Other income (mini store, cafe, etc.) | 1 million rubles/year |
In total, the minimum investment will be 26 million rubles. The indicated level of annual costs is indicative.
Payback periods largely depend on the success of the business. When selling 50 thousand liters of fuel per month, full payback is achieved in 4 years. This figure can be significantly reduced if you open a gas station as a franchise. Replacing the purchase of a land plot with its rental will also help reduce the payback period.
Profitability can increase if, in addition to the gas station, a related business on its territory brings profit. This can be achieved through the activities of a store or cafeteria.
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