Citgo Service Station vs Exxon
Citgo Service Station vs Exxon: Citgo Service Station costs $141K–$1.3M to open; Exxon costs $65K–$1.4M. Citgo Service Station has 111 units, Exxon has 204. SBA loan history: Citgo Service Station = 111 loans (13.5% default); Exxon = 170 loans (6.5% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet, see the comparison below.
Citgo Service Station vs Exxon: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Data-driven differentiation pulled from FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan-level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.
Capital Intensity
Exxon requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($65K vs $141K for Citgo Service Station), a 117% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $25K for Citgo Service Station versus $50K for Exxon, Citgo Service Station has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Exxon operates 204 units to Citgo Service Station's 111. Citgo Service Station has been operating 61 years (founded 1965) versus 18 for Exxon (founded 2008), a 43-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Exxon has the deeper SBA lending track record with 170 historical 7(a) approvals versus 111 for Citgo Service Station. Citgo Service Station's peak SBA year was 2008 (9 loans); Exxon's peak was 1994 (15 loans). Citgo Service Station's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Geographically, Citgo Service Station concentrates in IL (25 SBA-funded units) while Exxon leads in TX (61). Pick the brand whose strongest state matches yours for warmest lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Citgo Service Station deals is $626K vs $661K for Exxon, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 13.5% for Citgo Service Station and 6.5% for Exxon, Exxon has the cleaner historical loss profile by 7.0 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 28 (Fair) for Citgo Service Station and 42 (Fair) for Exxon, giving Exxon the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 28/100 | 42/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 111 | 170 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 13.5% | 6.5% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $141K – $1.3M | $65K – $1.4M |
Franchise Fee | $25K | $50K |
Royalty Rate | N/A | N/A |
Ad Fund | N/A | N/A |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 111 | 204 |
Franchised Units | 111 | 204 |
Company-Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1965 | 2008 |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | Chicago, IL | HOUSTON, TX |
Category | Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores | Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | N/A |
Which Is Better, Citgo Service Station or Exxon?
Lower upfront capital required
Exxon
Citgo Service Station: $141K starting · Exxon: $65K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Exxon
Citgo Service Station: 111 SBA loans · Exxon: 170 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Exxon
Citgo Service Station: 13.5% · Exxon: 6.5%
Larger system & brand presence
Exxon
Citgo Service Station: 111 units · Exxon: 204 units
More lender financing options
Exxon
Citgo Service Station: 64 unique lenders · Exxon: 86 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation. Your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
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About These Franchises
Citgo Service Station vs Exxon: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Citgo Service Station and Exxon is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $65K to $1.4M.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories, Citgo Service Station with 111 SBA loans and Exxon with 170. This means proven lender acceptance and established underwriting paths for franchise buyers.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands, not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice, consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.
Citgo Service Station vs Exxon, Frequently Asked Questions
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