Shell Service Station vs Sunoco Service Station
Shell Service Station vs Sunoco Service Station: Shell Service Station costs $114K–$1.8M to open; Sunoco Service Station costs $50K–$867K. Shell Service Station has 390 units, Sunoco Service Station has 135. SBA loan history: Shell Service Station = 311 loans (5.5% default); Sunoco Service Station = 145 loans (8.3% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet, see the comparison below.
Shell Service Station vs Sunoco 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
Sunoco Service Station requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($50K vs $114K for Shell Service Station), a 129% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $50K for Shell Service Station versus $26K for Sunoco Service Station, Sunoco Service Station has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Shell Service Station operates 390 units to Sunoco Service Station's 135, roughly 3× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Shell Service Station has the deeper SBA lending track record with 311 historical 7(a) approvals versus 145 for Sunoco Service Station. Shell Service Station's peak SBA year was 2017 (35 loans); Sunoco Service Station's peak was 2007 (16 loans). Shell Service Station's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Geographically, Shell Service Station concentrates in CA (143 SBA-funded units) while Sunoco Service Station leads in PA (42). Pick the brand whose strongest state matches yours for warmest lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Shell Service Station deals is $786K vs $445K for Sunoco Service Station, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 5.5% for Shell Service Station and 8.3% for Sunoco Service Station, Shell Service Station has the cleaner historical loss profile by 2.8 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 43 (Fair) for Shell Service Station and 36 (Fair) for Sunoco Service Station, giving Shell Service Station the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 43/100 | 36/100 |
Health Tier | Fair | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 311 | 145 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 5.5% | 8.3% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $114K – $1.8M | $50K – $867K |
Franchise Fee | $50K | $26K |
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 | 390 | 135 |
Franchised Units | 390 | 135 |
Company-Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | N/A | 2018 |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | LOS ANGELES, CA | PHILADELPHIA, PA |
Category | Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores | Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | N/A |
Which Is Better, Shell Service Station or Sunoco Service Station?
Lower upfront capital required
Sunoco Service Station
Shell Service Station: $114K starting · Sunoco Service Station: $50K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Shell Service Station
Shell Service Station: 311 SBA loans · Sunoco Service Station: 145 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Shell Service Station
Shell Service Station: 5.5% · Sunoco Service Station: 8.3%
Larger system & brand presence
Shell Service Station
Shell Service Station: 390 units · Sunoco Service Station: 135 units
More lender financing options
Shell Service Station
Shell Service Station: 132 unique lenders · Sunoco Service Station: 55 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
Shell Service Station vs Sunoco Service Station: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Shell Service Station and Sunoco Service Station is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $50K to $1.8M.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories, Shell Service Station with 311 SBA loans and Sunoco Service Station with 145. 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.
Shell Service Station vs Sunoco Service Station, Frequently Asked Questions
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