Citgo Service Station vs Shell Service Station
Citgo Service Station vs Shell Service Station: Citgo Service Station costs $141K–$1.3M to open; Shell Service Station costs $114K–$1.8M. Citgo Service Station has 111 units, Shell Service Station has 390. SBA loan history: Citgo Service Station = 111 loans (13.5% default); Shell Service Station = 311 loans (5.5% 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 Shell Service Station: 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
Shell Service Station requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($114K vs $141K for Citgo Service Station), a 23% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $25K for Citgo Service Station versus $50K for Shell Service Station, Citgo Service Station has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Shell Service Station operates 390 units to Citgo Service Station's 111, roughly 4× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Shell Service Station has the deeper SBA lending track record with 311 historical 7(a) approvals versus 111 for Citgo Service Station. Citgo Service Station's peak SBA year was 2008 (9 loans); Shell Service Station's peak was 2017 (35 loans). Shell Service Station's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Geographically, Citgo Service Station concentrates in IL (25 SBA-funded units) while Shell Service Station leads in CA (143). 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 $786K for Shell Service Station, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 13.5% for Citgo Service Station and 5.5% for Shell Service Station, Shell Service Station has the cleaner historical loss profile by 8.0 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 28 (Fair) for Citgo Service Station and 43 (Fair) for Shell Service Station, giving Shell Service Station the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 28/100 | 43/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 111 | 311 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 13.5% | 5.5% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $141K – $1.3M | $114K – $1.8M |
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 | 390 |
Franchised Units | 111 | 390 |
Company-Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1965 | N/A |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | Chicago, IL | LOS ANGELES, CA |
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 Shell Service Station?
Lower upfront capital required
Shell Service Station
Citgo Service Station: $141K starting · Shell Service Station: $114K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Shell Service Station
Citgo Service Station: 111 SBA loans · Shell Service Station: 311 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Shell Service Station
Citgo Service Station: 13.5% · Shell Service Station: 5.5%
Larger system & brand presence
Shell Service Station
Citgo Service Station: 111 units · Shell Service Station: 390 units
More lender financing options
Shell Service Station
Citgo Service Station: 64 unique lenders · Shell Service Station: 132 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 Shell Service Station: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Citgo Service Station and Shell Service Station is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $114K to $1.8M.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories, Citgo Service Station with 111 SBA loans and Shell Service Station with 311. 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 Shell Service Station, Frequently Asked Questions
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