The global convenience store industry generates over $806.4 billion in annual sales revenue. With over 150,000 stores nationwide, convenience stores meet the demand for quickly accessible food, drinks, and common household items.
The industry continues growing as convenience chains expand and independent operators identify prime locations to launch stores. Entrepreneurs recognize the potential rewards of owning a convenience store that enjoys consistent customer traffic.
This guide offers insight into how to open convenience store. Topics include market research to form a thorough business plan, customer focus, marketing, registering an EIN, opening a business bank account, forming an LLC, and more.
1. Conduct Convenience Store Market Research
Market research is essential to convenience store owners who want to be successful. Research helps you choose the right location for success, learn about other convenience store owners in the area, trends among convenience stores in products and services, and even convenience store customers.
Some details you’ll learn through market research while opening your own convenience store include:
- Real estate poses the most significant barrier for new convenience stores because prime locations already house longstanding operators.
- ideal convenience store sites see traffic of 3,000 to 4,000 vehicles per day within neighborhoods, along busy streets, and near freeway exits.
- Assessing the potential customer base within a 1-3 mile ring helps determine if the surrounding population meets the ideal threshold of 2,500-8,500 people. Consider the existence of other retail locations such as farmers’ markets and grocery stores.
- Leveraging growth in suburban neighborhoods presents opportunities for convenience chains and entrepreneurs alike looking to establish new locations.
- Profit potential remains high for convenience stores as gasoline, tobacco products, food items, and beverages account for 85% of all sales revenue streams.
- The average annual gross profit for convenience stores falls between $35,000 to $50,000 per 1,000 to 1,500 square feet.
- This level overshadows other small retail spaces. Costs stay low with average expenses and payroll falling between $15,000 to $25,000. This income exceeds many standalone coffee shops.
While electric vehicle adoption and declining tobacco use challenge long-term prospects, convenience stores continue building out robust food service and specialty beverage options. Investing in quality fresh foods and leveraging technology will help you open a convenience store smoothly.
2. Analyze the Competition
Convenience stores exist in a competitive landscape, with convenience chains, gas stations, and drug and grocery stores vying for customer loyalty. New operators should thoroughly analyze 10-15 competitors within a 5-mile ring. Drive-by visits coupled with collecting online data present a holistic overview.
Some ways to learn more about existing convenience store competitors include:
- For physical locations, visit each in person and take detailed notes about product offerings, store size, construction quality, and customer volume.
- Travel during morning, midday, evening, and late night to gauge traffic fluctuations.
- Identify stores excelling in areas like food service, efficient checkout, and product variety for benchmarking.
- Construct a comparison chart to reveal market gaps a new store could fill.
- Conduct online research to understand digital engagement efforts.
- Check competitors’ Google My Business pages for store hours, contact information, and local SEO optimization.
- Search across Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms to find active social media accounts.
- Review their follower counts, post engagement, special offers advertised, and customer feedback shared. Positive digital presence and engagement enrich overall customer loyalty.
Finally, new owners should identify the closest convenience locations run by leading chains like Wawa, 7-Eleven, Casey’s, and QuickTrip. Study hallmarks of each, like prepared food programs, strategic store layouts, and loyalty programs. These provide blueprints for replicating successful convenience models even as an independent operator.
3. Costs to Start a Convenience Store Business
Embarking on a new convenience store venture requires thorough planning and budgeting to cover extensive initial investments and operating expenses. To make your convenience store profitable, you need to spend some money.
Start-Up Costs
- Incorporation Fees & Licensing – $2,000 Filing a business entity formation, sales tax ID, and securing necessary health department and local licenses triggers fees of around $2,000. Zoning permits add another $500 for inspection and approval.
- Store Layout & Design – $5,000 Hiring an architect for store floorplan design, product placement consulting, and checkout flow runs $3,000 – $5,000. Owners should allocate another $2,000 for acquiring contractors for any buildout needs.
- Equipment & Initial Inventory – $150,000 Outfitting a convenience store requires commercial equipment like shelving, refrigeration systems, coffee stations, kitchen equipment, security cameras/sensors, and point-of-sale systems.
- Staffing – $8,000 Onboarding 4-5 staff at $15/hour for three weeks of training equals nearly $8,000 if opening full-time. Consider overtime for after-hour shifts.
- Total Start-Up Costs: $165,000 – $215,000
Ongoing Costs
- Rent & Utilities – $4,500/month Average triple-net lease within a 1,200 – 1,500 square foot store in a high-traffic area averages $3.50 – $5.00 per square foot monthly. This equals $4,200 – $7,500 monthly. Add electric, waste disposal, and other utilities for $300+ more per month.
- Payroll & Labor: $7,500/month
Covering wages, benefits, and employment taxes for 5 staff earning $15/hour at 40 hours per week costs approximately $7,500 per month. Schedule efficiently during peak hours to control labor spend. - Product Inventory: $15,000/month Maintaining over 3,000 SKUs from food and beverages to household essentials requires regular wholesale restocking. Estimate $15,000 monthly for new inventory purchases. More if you also plan on selling tobacco or smoking products such as cigarettes, vapes, cigars, etc.
- Insurance – $150/month General liability insurance protects owners from customer incidents and natural disasters. Monthly premiums typically start around $150 with higher coverage maximums.
- Accounting & Legal Fees – $500/month
Work with professionals for licensing compliance, inventory management, payroll, tax filings, and profit strategy. Plan around $500 monthly. - Marketing – $1,000/month Consistent advertising across print promotions, paid digital ads, and sponsorships runs approximately $1,000 monthly. Budget more for grand openings and seasonal campaigns.
- Miscellaneous Supplies – $500/month Allocate extra funds monthly for malware replacements, printing signage, cleaning supplies, and other occasional purchases.
- Total Ongoing Monthly Costs: $29,150
4. Form a Legal Business Entity
When establishing a new successful convenience store, owners must choose a legal structure that matches business goals and liability protection needs. The four main options for your brand new store include:
Sole Proprietorship
Opening as a sole proprietor involves no formal registration and poses low start-up costs. However, owners assume unlimited personal liability for debts and legal claims tied to the store. Any lawsuit or creditor judgment threatens personal assets. This high-risk exposure makes sole proprietorships ill-advised despite simpler tax filing and payroll.
General Partnership
Similarly, a general partnership passes liability to all co-owners. Partners file taxes through personal returns and avoid initial registration costs. But any partner’s business decision or legal issue impacts everyone. For convenience stores with higher public interaction, unlimited liability presents too great a risk.
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
For small chains or sole owners, registering as an LLC limits liability and protects personal assets if sued. LLCs require more paperwork and annual fees but enable convenience stores to open business bank accounts, hire employees, and retain profits. The IRS taxes profits passed to owners as personal income. While more complex administratively, the liability shield makes LLCs ideal for even one-location convenience stores.
Corporation
Establishing a convenience store or chain as a corporation creates the greatest separation between business and personal finances through shareholders and directed boards. This appeals to larger enterprises but often overcomplicates single-store operations. Owners trade unlimited liability for stricter record keeping, double taxation, and paying corporate income taxes.
5. Register Your Business For Taxes
Securing a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) represents a crucial step for legalizing any convenience store. The EIN registration enables owners to open business bank accounts, apply for necessary licenses, and hire employees.
Sole proprietors using only their Social Security Number bear full liability risks and limit financing options. Instead, filing online for an EIN takes only minutes and shields personal exposure.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website outlines everything convenience store entrepreneurs need when applying for an EIN:
- Step 1: Navigate to the IRS EIN Assistant Page
- Step 2: Determine the appropriate IRS responsible party. For convenience stores organized as LLCs or corporations, this means the CEO, president, or principal officer.
- Step 3: Have basic information ready for the online application form: name/address for principal officer, LLC/corporation name, and address of new convenience store location.
- Step 4: Complete the short online EIN form, typically taking 5-10 minutes.
The EIN assigned connects with your convenience store business forever when filing taxes or employing workers. The online process is free through the IRS and applicants get EIN confirmation letters near-instantly.
With a federal EIN secured, convenience stores must still register with state agencies for sales tax IDs, food service permits, and weights and measures oversight required of grocery and convenience retailers. State registration incurs small fees around $50-100. Visit state government websites to find convenience retail licensing bureaus.
Proper business formation, EIN filing, and state licensing prep convenience stores for smooth launch and operation while protecting owner assets. The small administrative investment saves exponentially in liability risk and enables stable growth. Treat registration as the first milestone when starting your convenience venture.
6. Setup Your Accounting
Running your own store generates extensive financial documentation across inventory purchasing, payroll, taxes, and daily sales. Without proper accounting, owners risk IRS fines, profit losses, and potential audits down the road. Investing in tools and support provides essential oversight.
Accounting Software
Begin by acquiring small business accounting software like QuickBooks to establish centralized financial records. QuickBooks syncs with bank/credit card accounts to automate transaction logging. It generates outbound payment capabilities plus segregates income and expenses across convenience store departments.
Hire an Accountant
Consider hiring an accountant to handle bookkeeping and reconcile statements monthly. This keeps all financial data processed through QuickBooks without taking internal attention away from convenience store operations. Accountants charge around $100 per month for these routine services.
Open a Business Bank Account
As accountants emphasize, separating business and personal finances is non-negotiable. Open dedicated small business checking/savings accounts and apply for a convenience store credit card. Business cards often offer higher credit limits thanks to projected store earnings. Employers must verify business income on applications.
7. Obtain Licenses and Permits
Embarking on a new convenience store venture triggers various compliance and regulatory requirements from business licensing to health and safety permits. Find federal license information through the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBA also offers a local search tool for state and city requirements.
Review zoning regulations and secure necessary zoning permits stipulating convenience retail use within a commercial location. Even occupying an existing storefront requires inspections and new occupancy permits before welcoming the public. Application fees typically cost $150 – $350 depending on the municipality.
Register for all relevant municipal, county, and state sales licensing attached to convenience store products. Grocery and tobacco offerings fall under stricter oversight while food service also requires thorough health inspections. Across these categories, most jurisdictions levy fees ranging from $50 – $150 per license type, including:
State Commercial Weights & Measures Device Licenses Local Food Handler Safety Training Permits Commercial Cooking Equipment Installation Approvals
Tobacco Retailer Licenses State Liquor Licenses
Check state statutes regarding lottery ticket sales which demand a bonded lottery retailer license. Application and compliance oversight average $150 – $350 annually.
Convenience stores selling money orders or providing ATM access enable various financial transactions for customers. Owners must formally apply with the U.S. Treasury Department through the National Money Services Business Registration. Renewals occur every two years.
Insurance agents help navigate any ambiguity around which permits to satisfy legal obligations within a given region. However, convenience owners drive the process of submitting applications well in advance of projected opening timelines.
With hundreds of permits spanning multiple regulators (especially if you choose to sell ‘high-risk’ products such as tobacco, alcohol, fireworks, and other party pyrotechnics, etc.), the process demands exceptional organization. Allot 60-90 days to complete while hiring specialized assistance like lawyers or permit expeditors. The efforts safeguard your excitement of opening doors to the neighborhood patrons.
8. Get Business Insurance
Operating a convenience store open to the public carries inherent risks despite the best precautions. Customers may slip and fall or culprits could force break-ins and theft. Without insurance, a single liability claim or property damage event threatens the company’s very existence. Business owner’s insurance fills this exposure gap.
Convenience stores require a specialized Commercial Property & Liability policy that covers:
- Customer Injuries – Falls, foodborne illness claims
- Store Damage – Fire, broken pipes, vandalism
- Inventory Losses – Shoplifting, power outages spoiling food
- Business Disruptions – Forced closures from covered incidents
Without adequate insurance, many scenarios financially devastate convenience stores:
- A cooler unit fails overnight spoiling $3,000 of food and drinks
- Burglars break in and steal $5,000 of tobacco products
- A slip-and-fall injury results in a $50,000 lawsuit
Getting insured simply requires contacting convenience retail insurance providers like The Hartford or Progressive Commercial. Quoting only takes a few minutes if owners can provide their LLC/Corporation name, location, and inventory/revenue estimates. Premiums range from $100 – $250 monthly for $500,000 to $1 million in coverage minimums recommended.
9. Create an Office Space
Operating a convenience store generates extensive paperwork, inventory management, hiring duties, and other tasks benefiting from desk space. While rarely warranting dedicated commercial offices, owners should assess options for getting work done beyond just the retail floor or home settings.
Coworking Office
Coworking Space Joining shared coworking spaces like WeWork furnishes professional office settings for convenience owners seeking more collaborative environments. Coworking also grants meeting rooms to host vendors plus presents networking opportunities with other entrepreneurs.
Retail Office
Operators managing convenience store chains can utilize back offices within existing locations to centralize some inventory oversight and purchasing coordination. This allows staff to assist with receiving wholesale orders or compiling sales data from multiple stores. Single-location owners rarely need retail offices but larger chains leverage the efficiencies of combined store/office spaces.
10. Source Your Equipment
Launching a convenience store requires extensive commercial-grade fixtures and systems to support safe ongoing operations. From store shelving to refrigeration units, owners must secure durable equipment that complies with local regulations.
Buy New
Purchasing brand-new display cases, coffee equipment, kitchen systems, and checkout counters from retailers allows convenience store owners to customize sizes while benefiting from warranties. Companies like Store Supply offer wide commercial inventories with bundled savings.
Buying Used
Sourcing secondhand equipment through auction sites like BidNet and retailers like Webstaurant Store cuts costs by 30-50%. Ensure used appliances, shelving units, and grocery scales meet current codes. Factor in some repair expenditures given wear and tear. Facebook Marketplace also lists local equipment deals.
Renting
Some vendors offer short-term rental programs on key equipment like coffee stations or deli sandwich units. This reduces large upfront buys for operators unsure of some departments’ viability. Expect weekly/monthly rates comparable to financing payments though without long-term ownership. Useful when testing food service menus before full investment.
Leasing
Established convenience chains often work with equipment leasing firms to install necessary checkout systems, shelving, tobacco merchandisers, and refrigeration gear with just 10-15% down. Payments are deducted over 3-5 years before owners assume outright ownership. This eases cash flow challenges when upgrading multiple locations.
11. Establish Your Brand Assets
Distinguishing a new convenience store in a competitive market starts with nurturing a distinctive brand identity. Beyond just a logo and name, entrepreneurs must consistently communicate specialties and value across targeted touchpoints.
Get a Business Phone Number
Acquire a dedicated business phone number through providers like RingCentral to publish on websites, ads, and store signage. Choose customized recorded greetings to promote current sales or fuel perks that reinforce expertise catering to driver needs.
Design a Logo
Design an icon, stylized name, and complementary colors that reflect the convenience store’s personality with online logo makers like Looka. Geometric shapes connote modernness while illustrative marks showcase food offerings. Ensure icon reproducibility at small sizes.
Creating Business Cards and Signage
Business cards enable owners and staff to readily share store addresses, phone, hours, and even discounts with new neighborhood acquaintances. Purchase sturdy card stock options from Vistaprint to slip in with purchases. Window signage showcases hours, ATM access or even hiring needs to every passerby.
Purchasing a Domain Name
Secure an intuitive .com domain for 3-5 years like EastsideConvenience [dot] com from registrars like Namecheap. Add email addresses tied to the custom domain for professional correspondence.
Building a Website
Consider hiring a freelancer designer on Fiverr to develop a convenience store site showcasing seasonal deals, food menus, and fuel prices. Or utilize templates from DIY website builders like Wix to publish pages with essential info and promotions.
12. Join Associations and Groups
Beyond day-to-day store operations, convenience store owners should actively network with industry peers. Local associations, meetups, and online groups provide invaluable perspectives.
Local Associations
Join regional affiliates of the National Association for Convenience & Fuel Retailing like the Pacific Northwest Association of Convenience Stores to access area training seminars, trade publications, and annual expos. State-level groups like the California Fuels & Convenience Alliance furnish compliance insights plus mentorships. Expect $150 – $500 in annual membership dues to unlock resources.
Local Meetups
Attend monthly gatherings coordinated through sites like Meetup to exchange best practices with other convenience store owners in casual settings. Explore niche events like the Chicago Independent Convenience Store Meetup. Interact beyond just association seminars.
Facebook Groups
Participate in convenience and grocery peer discussion groups on Facebook to crowd-source advice ANYTIME on operational hurdles like curbing shoplifting or choosing distribution partners. Reputable groups include:
- Florida Gas station and convince store for SALE/BUY/LEASE
- Retail Worker Confessions
- Retail and Community Pharmacist Forum
Learn from thousands of operators across all experience levels. Access round-the-clock support beyond regional contacts.
13. How to Market a Convenience Store Business
Promoting a new convenience store requires consistent outreach across digital and traditional channels. Lean on existing contacts while striving to attract new neighborhood patrons through targeted spending. Marketing creates awareness and repeat business necessary for profitability.
Personal Networking and Referral Marketing
Tap into networks by incentivizing existing contacts. Offer 10% off for referring groups of 3 or more friends not already signed up for the loyalty program. This sparks word-of-mouth momentum.
Digital Marketing
- Run Google/Facebook paid ads promoting the grand opening month with special fuel discounts upon signup
- Launch Instagram and TikTok profiles with photos of fresh food cases. Use geo-located tags to surface content to nearby users.
- Claim Google My Business and Apple Maps listings for search visibility, reviews, and accurate hours.
- Partner with apps like GasBuddy to list fuel prices for drivers.
- Email contacts about the launch and attach a menus/services document.
Traditional Marketing
- Print door-hanger flyers for nearby homes announcing opening deals on popular items like milk, cigarettes, and lottery tickets.
- Distribute menus to surrounding offices/factories during lunches for worker convenience.
- Co-market with neighboring businesses like gyms or banks to cross-promote.
- Sponsor a local Little League team and hang a sponsorship banner.
- Run:15 15-second radio ads on local stations before drive-time announcing store perks.
Stay vigilant with marketing rather than assuming opening awareness sustains visibility. Convenience stores often underestimate consistent digital and traditional promotions required to maintain customer acquisition. Expect to allocate 8-12% of gross annual margins to advertising critical for stability.
14. Focus on the Customer
Providing exceptional customer service represents a crucial success factor for convenience stores facing extensive competition for neighborhood loyalty. Handling issues promptly and catering to daily needs with a smile breeds the kind of positive experiences and word-of-mouth referrals that sustain profitability. You can also offer gift cards that loyal customers could buy for their friends and family, expanding your reach and profit potential.
Convenience store patrons value getting in and out efficiently as much as friendly interactions. This means staffing enough registers including self-checkout during mornings/evenings when nearby residents grab coffee, sandwiches, and smokes before the office or trips.
Busy families depend on convenience stores for last-minute ingredient additions at dinner time too. Keeping multiple food service stations open prevents frustrating bottlenecks.
Likewise, Fielding complaints and suggestions with empathy and care rather than indifference earn return loyalty. Offer replacements or refunds for any expired items a customer discovers after leaving. Solicit input about expanding drink cooler options or stocking additional grocery staples tailored to neighborhood preference changes.
Convenience stores that provide seamless transactions and sincere service foster the kind of regular customer habits difficult for competitors to uproot. Word travels fast in stores resolve problems immediately while also remembering patrons by name. Newcomers will migrate toward operators gaining such reputations.