Convenience Store Company Analysis

In your company analysis, you will detail the type of convenience store business you are operating.

For example, you might operate one of the following types:

1. Traditional Convenience Store: the traditional convenience store is about 2,400 to 2,500 square feet in size and offer a product mix which includes dairy, bakery, snack foods, beverages, tobacco, grocery, health and beauty aids, confectionery, and perhaps prepared foods to go, fresh or frozen meats, gasoline, various services, and limited produce items. Most stores of this size have 6 to 12 striped parking spaces or some form of convenient pedestrian access. Hours are extended compared to average retailers with a large percentage open 24 hours per day.
2. Mini Convenience Store: this type of convenience store is usually 800 to 1,200 square feet in size. Grocery selection and foodservice (beyond prepared sandwiches) is usually very thin. Open hours usually range from 18 to 24 hours.
3. Limited Selection Convenience Store: this type of convenience store ranges from 1,500 to 2,200 square feet. They differ from the “mini convenience store” in a broader product mix and grocery offering (although still somewhat limited by traditional convenience store standards). Also, simple foodservice (hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, etc.) may be offered.
4. Expanded Convenience Store: this type of convenience store is in the 2,800 to 3,600 square feet range. Such stores can accommodate more shelving for additional grocery products or room for significant fast food operations and seating.
5. Hyper Convenience Store: this type of convenience store is very large (4k to 5k square feet), and usually offers an array of products and services arranged in departments. For example, such stores may offer variations such as a bakery, a sit-down restaurant area, or a pharmacy. Many of these locations do sell gasoline. The number of employees per shift can be large, particularly if a small restaurant is present. The number of parking spaces is substantial, especially since the amount of time the average customer spends in such an establishment can be significant.
6. Kiosk: this type of convenience store is less than 800 square feet and is intended to provide some additional revenue beyond gasoline sales. Gasoline is always the focus of this operation with the owner usually being an oil company or petroleum marketer. The store sells only the fast-moving items found in traditional convenience stores (tobacco, beverages, snacks, and confectioneries).

In addition to explaining the type of convenience store business you operate, the Company Analysis section of your business plan needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to question such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include sales goals you’ve reached, new store openings, etc.

Your legal structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.