How much does a petrol station cost?

Okay, so you’re thinking about opening a petrol station in South Africa, huh? That’s a big step! I remember my cousin looking into this a few years back, and let me tell you, the numbers he was throwing around were eye-watering.

From what I’ve gathered, you’re looking at a pretty hefty upfront investment. We’re talking anywhere from R15 million to a whopping R100 million! Seriously! And that’s just to get the doors open. It really does depend though, right? Location is everything, and obviously, a massive, fancy station on a highway is gonna cost way more than a smaller one tucked away in a quiet town.

My cousin was looking at a site near a developing area, thinking he’d be onto a gold mine. Guess what? Property prices there… insane!

But wait, there’s more! Because it’s not just the initial setup. You’re going to have ongoing operational fees to the oil company too. Think of it like franchise fees, but for petrol! Apparently, those can start at around R2 million. Per year? Per something? I can’t remember, but still! Who has that kind of money just lying around? It’s a big commitment, right?

So yeah, bottom line is, be prepared to shell out some serious cash. It’s a huge investment. Is it worth it? Well, that’s the million-rand question, isn’t it? My cousin, he ended up backing out. Said the risk was too high for him. But maybe you’ve got what it takes! Just do your homework, get your numbers straight, and good luck! You’re going to need it.