Exxon

ExxonMobil presents a different type of opportunity for a prospective business owner. The brand has broad recognition, but its retail model generally uses independent operators, brand licensing, or dealer agreements instead of a conventional franchise structure. PeerSense provides this independent overview so buyers can assess the brand and its capital requirements before pursuing financing. PeerSense is a commercial capital advisory firm, not a lender.

ExxonMobil’s history began with Standard Oil Company, founded on January 10, 1870, in Cleveland, Ohio, by John D. Rockefeller, William Rockefeller, Henry Flagler, Samuel Andrews, Stephen Harkness, and Oliver Burr Jennings. ExxonMobil Corporation was formed on November 30, 1999, through the merger of Exxon Corporation and Mobil Corporation, led principally by Exxon CEO Lee Raymond and Mobil CEO Lucio Noto. The company’s headquarters is in Spring, Texas, a suburb of Houston. ExxonMobil is a publicly traded multinational oil and gas corporation owned by thousands of shareholders, with no single investor holding a controlling interest. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Darren Woods has held that position since January 2017. His total yearly compensation for the last fiscal year was $44.05 million.

As of January 2025, Exxon had over 12,000 branded gas stations across the United States. Texas had 1,930 locations, or nearly 17% of all Exxon Mobil gas stations in the country. Other major state counts included Virginia with 683, North Carolina with 613, Tennessee with 420, South Carolina with 359, Louisiana with 354, and Georgia with 350. Many locations are operated by independent businesses under licensing or dealer agreements rather than a standard franchise system with publicly disclosed fees and investment requirements. ExxonMobil began a multiyear transition in 2008 by selling company owned service stations and allowing independent owners to use the Exxon and Mobil brands. Franchise database records list 195 Total Units for Exxon, which may represent a narrower category within the broader branded network. Exxon and Mobil were identified as among the fastest growing fuel brands, with fuels supporting 30% more sales volume based on station growth in the United States from 2017 through 2021 compared with competitors. The total addressable market for Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores is approximately $656 billion. The brand offers recognition and an established fuel distribution system, but buyers must review the nontraditional operating structure carefully.

Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores have an approximately $656 billion total addressable market and an estimated compound annual growth rate of 3.2%. The United States market was $522.3 billion in 2025 and is projected to be $520.3 billion in 2026, representing decreases of -0.3% and -0.4% for those years. From 2021 through 2026, the United States market grew at a 0.6% compound annual growth rate. Worldwide, the gasoline stations market increased from $2.7 trillion in 2025 to $2.8 trillion in 2026 at a 3.8% compound annual growth rate. It is projected to reach $3.35 trillion in 2030 at a 4.6% compound annual growth rate. Asia Pacific was the largest global region in 2025.

Demand is supported by vehicle use, convenience shopping, broader retail offerings, and technology. United States finished motor gasoline consumption averaged approximately 8.94 million barrels per day in 2023, or about 376 million gallons per day. Many stations now combine fuel sales with convenience retail, car washes, coffee, loyalty programs, and digital payments. High traffic locations support customer volume, while improved fuel efficiency and point of sale systems affect operations. The sector is fragmented among individual operators but more concentrated among major brands such as ExxonMobil. Opportunities include convenience retail, premium and additive enriched fuels, loyalty programs, and digital payments. Risks include fuel price volatility, regulatory changes, and economic downturns that can reduce consumer spending. Fuel’s essential role and the continued use of convenience stores provide a base for branded operations.

ExxonMobil does not present a conventional franchise opportunity with a standardized Franchise Disclosure Document that publicly sets out all fees and investment requirements. Typical franchise databases list “N.A.” for Upfront Franchise Fees and Total Investment Costs for Exxon Mobil. A separate franchise database lists a Franchise Fee of $50,000. Traditional franchise initial fees generally range from $20,000 to $50,000. The reported total investment range for an Exxon branded operation is $65,070 to $1.42 million. The amount can vary based on whether the buyer acquires an existing site or develops a new one, the size of the convenience store, the amenities, location, construction requirements, equipment, property, and opening inventory. The lower figure may relate to an existing or smaller facility, while the upper figure may include property acquisition and extensive construction.

Specific royalty rates and advertising fund contributions were not provided. Across the broader franchise sector, royalty fees commonly range from 4% to 8% of gross sales, while advertising contributions generally range from 1% to 3% of sales. The missing figures make a complete ownership cost analysis difficult and require review of the applicable dealer or licensing agreement. The average total franchise development budget in 2025 reached $1.02 million for businesses to franchise themselves, providing context for the higher end of the Exxon investment range. The opportunity falls within the mid tier to premium franchise investment category. ExxonMobil Corporation supplies the backing of a publicly traded multinational oil and gas company formed through the 1999 Exxon and Mobil merger, with roots in Standard Oil’s 1870 founding. SBA eligibility and veteran incentives were not available in the provided data for this nontraditional model.

An independent Exxon branded station combines fuel operations with convenience retail. Fuel markup can be as low as 0.02 pence per liter, which may barely cover costs such as pump and lighting electricity. Many locations therefore operate like mini supermarkets and carry around 2000 SKUs, or stock keeping units. The operator needs inventory management, merchandising, and customer service capabilities. The model may require an owner operator or closely involved management team because it combines fuel and retail responsibilities.

Details of a traditional Exxon franchise training program were not available because the brand uses a dealer model. ExxonMobil does provide support to partners converting sites to the Exxon™ or Mobil™ brand, including a Business Development Kit and programs intended to increase repeat business and customer loyalty. Exxon Mobil Rewards+™ has 20 million members. Other offerings include tobacco rebate programs, Frequent Filler promotions, C Store Offers, Exxon Mobil Smart Card+™, and benefits for Walmart+, Apple Card, and AARP members. Additional products and services include Exxon Mobil FleetPro™ for commercial customers, Synergy Supreme™ premium gas, and Synergy Diesel Efficient™ fuel. A general franchise support structure may include training, an onboarding coach, operations assistance, marketing, vendor pricing, and a business advisor. ExxonMobil’s programs and development tools provide some comparable support, although the operating model is not a conventional franchise.

Search results also list “N.A.” for investment costs in a franchise database.

ExxonMobil’s corporate plan through 2030 projects $25 billion in earnings growth and $35 billion in cash flow growth compared with 2024, using constant prices and margins and no increase in capital spending. The structural cost savings target increased by $2 billion to $20 billion compared with 2019 levels. Earnings growth is projected to average 13% per year through 2030, with double digit cash flow growth. Over the next five years, ExxonMobil expects approximately $145 billion in cumulative surplus cash flow at $65 real Brent and a return on capital employed above 17% in 2030. The company achieved its 2030 corporate GHG emissions intensity plans in 2026. These corporate figures describe ExxonMobil as a parent company, not the expected results of an individual branded station. Darren Woods remains chairman and chief executive officer, with reported yearly compensation of $44.05 million.

Gasoline markup may be as low as 0.02 pence per liter, while convenience products, car washes, and coffee can contribute more to earnings. Stations may carry around 2000 SKUs and operate as mini supermarkets. Direct Exxon revenue figures are unavailable, so performance depends on managing the retail component and the terms of the individual agreement. Exxon and Mobil fuels supported 30% more sales volume based on station growth in the United States from 2017 through 2021 compared with competitors. Brand recognition, Exxon Mobil Rewards+™ with 20 million members, and ExxonMobil’s support programs may help operators attract and retain customers, but they do not replace unit level financial data.

The network’s growth is tied to ExxonMobil’s multiyear transition that began in 2008. The company sold its United States service stations and shifted brand use to independent owners, building on its distributor network. As of January 2025, the United States had over 12,000 Exxon gas stations. The Exxon and Mobil brands were identified as among the fastest growing fuel brands, with fuels supporting 30% more sales volume based on the increase in United States station count from 2017 through 2021 compared with competitors.