Gas Station Feasibility Study in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ Metro Area

Phoenix fuel retail: big loans, low density

Gas station and truck stop loans in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler total 59 loans and $89.9 million across FY2017 to FY2026, with a $1.2 million midpoint, 1.19x the national one, and central loans from $733,450 to $2.0 million. The metro is 18 of 600 nationally for the class, but fuel retail is only twelfth, 12 of 39, locally, and a location quotient of 0.52x shows the class at roughly half its national weight. Stations here are big sites funded in large amounts, yet not a major share of Phoenix lending.

Program use is 54 on 7(a) and 5 on 504. Franchise flags cover 67.8%, so most stations carry a fuel brand or convenience banner, with supply and image obligations. Phoenix filing tracks the borrower's trade, so a truck stop or travel center sits beside the neighborhood pump site, and a station without a store shares the group. Charging for electric vehicles has no entry, which leaves a charging-led project without evidence here.

One dominant holder

Celtic Bank Corporation is listed with 17 loans and $25.5 million, the only holder with enough loans for a listing; the entry reflects SBA's holder field and implies nothing about the bank. Maricopa County, AZ has 53 loans and Pinal County, AZ 6.

For Phoenix fuel retail the cancellation floor is 10.0% of FY2017 to FY2024 approvals; SBA keeps back the Phoenix ceiling and charge-off figures, and a gap is no zero. Only three years print: FY2020 with 12 loans and $13.8 million, FY2021 with 14 and $29.6 million and FY2023 with 7 and $11.9 million. FY2021 is the standout. All other years are held back for thin counts. The July 2023 delineation decides which project counties are in the metro.

What a Phoenix fuel study must test

The study measures traffic on the exact corridor, including commuter and freeway volumes, tests gallons and store sales, and prices tanks, canopy and environmental closure. The budget is checked against the $1.2 million midpoint, and the model must show margin carrying debt service coverage after brand obligations. Real estate and business get separate values in the appraisal. Daniel Smith, MAI, answers for the Loan Analytics study; whether any lender says yes lies outside it.