Every successful business starts with a thorough and competent business plan, and there’s no exception when it comes to running a convenience store gas station. Developing a solid business plan will help you develop long-term goals, establish how to get started, define the scope of your strategy, and make sure you’re on track to running a lucrative and efficient business.
From locations and supplementary services to hiring and product development, there’s a lot that goes into developing your gas filling station business plan. This sample plan will provide important business plan guidelines that all owners should consider when opening a gas station convenience store or looking to revitalize their existing business.
Example Gas is an independent gas station and convenience store. The gas station is branded as a Valero gas station, but the convenience store can be independently run and managed. Example Gas is focused on offering professional services and high-quality gas to community members and visitors.
Example Gas will offer the following services to its customers:
Your business plan should always detail the kinds of servicers and products being sold at your station, and will help you define marketing strategies, evaluate vendors, and develop further business strategies.
When writing your convenience store business plan, be sure to detail your marketing strategy. Below you will find example marketing strategies and best practices for your business plan marketing section.
The Example Gas marketing strategy will rely heavily on the business’s location and services available. Marketing strategies will utilize posters, banners, light-up signs, and images on the outside of the store to represent the products and brands offered in the convenience store. The operator will use the station’s nearby environment to determine the best marketing strategy, including: surrounding competitors, landmarks, demographics, public institutions, and other indicators of potential high-frequency customers.
Because the Example Gas convenience store and station is located near a highway, owners can expect more gas sales and increase their gas and diesel prices accordingly.
Here are some marketing Strategies based on convenience store locations and area that you can incorporate into your gas station business plan:
Because much of your profits will come from your convenience store sales, it’s important to have proper inventory tracking and POS systems to help you manage your store. It’s also important to present how you will use management technology in your business plan, as this is essential for smooth operations.
Every Example Gas station and convenience store will be fully equipped with a state-of-the-art POS system and will utilize PDI CStore Essentials to track inventory, make price changes from the owner’s tablet or phone, easily run promotions, and track store sales, items, and profits.
Example’s chosen inventory management software, PDI CStore Essentials will enable the owner to maintain inventory control, save time, and increase profits from the convenience of a simple and easy-to-use platform.
Here are examples of how you can present the benefits of the inventory management software you use in your own business plan, using PDI CStore Essentials as an example:
A comprehensive inventory management system will do the heavy lifting when it comes to charting the sales and product reports, allowing you to focus on your employees, customers, marketing strategy, and all of the other important aspects of your business. When writing your business plan, be sure to emphasize how the technology you are using will help your business ensure smooth operations, maximize profits and give you an edge over competitors.
Hopefully this guide gives you a good idea of how to develop and organize your own business plan. PDI CStore Essentials will back up your business with all your inventory tracking and management needs. Take the first step to developing your business plan and try our free 30-day trial today.