Exxon vs Shell Service Station
Exxon vs Shell Service Station: Exxon costs $65K to $1.4M to open; Shell Service Station costs $114K to $1.8M. Exxon has 204 units, Shell Service Station has 390. SBA loan history: Exxon = 170 loans (6.5% default); Shell Service Station = 311 loans (5.5% default). The franchise with more SBA funded units, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.
Exxon vs Shell Service Station: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Analysis based on 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 $114K for Shell Service Station), a 43% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $50K for Exxon versus $50K for Shell Service Station.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Shell Service Station operates 390 units to Exxon's 204.
SBA Lending Profile
Shell Service Station has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 311 7(a) approvals compared with 170 for Exxon. Exxon's peak SBA year was 1994 (15 loans); Shell Service Station's peak was 2017 (35 loans). Shell Service Station's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Exxon has the most SBA funded units in TX, with 61. Shell Service Station leads in CA, with 143. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Exxon deals is $661K vs $786K for Shell Service Station, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 6.5% for Exxon and 5.5% for Shell Service Station, Shell Service Station has the cleaner SBA loss record by 1.0 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 42 (Fair) for Exxon 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 | 42/100 | 43/100 |
Health Tier | Fair | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 170 | 311 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 6.5% | 5.5% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $65K to $1.4M | $114K to $1.8M |
Franchise Fee | $50K | $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 | 204 | 390 |
Franchised Units | 204 | 390 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
Which Is Better, Exxon or Shell Service Station?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Exxon: $65K starting · Shell Service Station: $114K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Shell Service Station
Exxon: 170 SBA loans · Shell Service Station: 311 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Shell Service Station
Exxon: 6.5% · Shell Service Station: 5.5%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Exxon: 204 units · Shell Service Station: 390 units
More lender financing options
Shell Service Station
Exxon: 86 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
Exxon vs Shell Service Station: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Exxon 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 $65K to $1.8M.
Exxon has 170 SBA loans on record and Shell Service Station has 311. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Recent lending activity is trending down for at least one of these brands, so current lender appetite has to be checked deal by deal rather than assumed from the totals.
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.
Exxon vs Shell Service Station, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Exxon or Shell Service Station?
How much does a Exxon franchise cost compared to Shell Service Station?
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Which has a lower SBA default rate, Exxon or Shell Service Station?
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Page Review
Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense
- PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; it does not lend, fund, or approve loans, and the capital source sets final terms.
- Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
- He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
- His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
- In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page
Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman