PremiumConvenience Store Business in Downtown Calgary

See what a premium convenience store franchise in downtown Calgary costs, from $161,500 total. Compare locations, rent, royalties and risks.

Infinity Mart lists a premium convenience store franchise in downtown Calgary from $99,000. Add training and opening inventory, and the total starts around $161,500.

Is that a smart move? It depends on foot traffic, rent, and how hands-on you plan to be.

This guide covers the real numbers, the locations, the competition, and the risks. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or just curious how a convenience store business works, you’ll get facts, not a sales pitch.

Quick snapshot of the Calgary listings:

• Asking price: $99,000 to $125,000
• Total startup estimate: from $161,500
• Monthly rent: $2,500 to $6,500, plus utilities and taxes
• Lease: 5+5 years
• Training: $2,500
• Royalties: $500 per month plus 5% of sales (shown on two listings)

What Is a Premium Convenience Store Franchise?

A premium convenience store franchise is a branded store you run under a franchisor’s system. The layout is cleaner, the product range is wider, and the standards are tighter than a typical corner shop.

You’re paying for the brand, the training, and the playbook. You’re not starting from zero.

What Infinity Mart’s model includes, based on its website:

• A standard store layout and branding
• Lotto at some sites, including 233 Centre Street SW
• Two weeks of training on most listings
• Supplier partners such as Coca-Cola, Red Bull and Frito-Lay
• A nine-step path from application to grand opening

One thing to clear up. Infinity Mart also sells gas station combos, priced from $225,000 to $850,000+, and calls that its top-tier format. The Calgary stores below are standalone, so budget for those numbers instead.

Why Downtown Calgary Works for a Convenience Store Business

Downtown Calgary is shifting from an office-only district to a place where more people live. That helps a convenience store business, because it runs on quick, repeat visits.

What the data shows:

• Downtown office vacancy hit 27.58% in Q1 2026, pushed up by sublease space after oil and gas mergers.
• The city’s office conversion program has removed about 3.6 million square feet of office space.
• Eleven conversion projects were set to bring roughly 1,500 housing units and 2,400 new residents downtown.
• CBRE’s Calgary managing director said retail has been one of the bright spots in the market.

The catch: vacancy is still close to 30% by some measures. Fewer office workers means fewer lunch-hour customers.

A store that depends only on commuters carries more risk. A store near homes, condos and transit has a steadier base.

Convenience Store Franchise in Calgary: What’s Available Right Now

Infinity Mart lists four Calgary stores on its Alberta page. Availability changes fast, so confirm before you plan around any of them.

For background on the brand’s move west, read about Infinity Mart’s Calgary expansion.

233 Centre Street SW (Downtown Core)

• Ask: $99,000, total from $161,500
• Size: 1,200 sq ft
• Rent: $6,500 per month plus utilities and taxes
• Features: Lotto, transit nearby, 60-day possession
• Best for: buyers who want the lowest entry price in the core

Waterfront (Downtown)

• Ask: $125,000, total from $202,500
• Size: 700 sq ft
• Rent: $2,500 per month plus utilities and tax
• Features: Walk Score of 96, a large condo community, CTrain access, food operations
• Best for: buyers who want low rent and a residential customer base

Sunalta Heights

• Ask: $125,000, total from $202,500
• Size: 918 sq ft
• Rent: $3,390 per month plus utilities and tax
• Features: a tower above that is 95% leased, with an LRT station steps away
• Best for: buyers who want customers living right above the store

321 10th Street NW, Kensington

• Ask: $115,000, total from $192,500
• Size: 996 sq ft
• Rent: $5,602.05 per month plus taxes and utilities
• Features: flagship location, busy Kensington and Sunalta foot traffic, possession January 2027
• Best for: buyers who prefer a neighbourhood feel to a downtown office crowd

A useful comparison: Waterfront rent is $4,000 a month lower than Centre Street. That’s $48,000 a year. But Centre Street is nearly twice the size, so more floor space means more product to sell.

What a Premium Convenience Store Franchise Really Costs

For the Centre Street store, the startup total comes to $161,500 before taxes and working capital. Here’s the math.

Startup costs:

• Asking price: $99,000
• Training: $2,500
• Minimum opening inventory: $60,000
• Total: $161,500

Ongoing costs to plan for:

• Rent: $6,500 × 12 = $78,000 a year
• Fixed royalty: $500 × 12 = $6,000 a year
• Sales royalty: 5% of sales

Here’s a simple example. If a store sold $600,000 in a year, the 5% royalty would be $30,000. Add the $6,000 fixed fee and royalties total $36,000. That’s an illustration, not a forecast.

Costs people forget:

• Taxes on inventory
• Working capital for slow months
• Staff wages
• Insurance and utilities
• Lawyer and accountant fees

Infinity Mart’s listings don’t publish sales or profit figures. Ask for them in writing before you commit. For a general benchmark in the meantime, see how much profit a convenience store owner makes per month.

Convenience Store for Sale in Calgary vs. a Franchise

Buying an independent convenience store for sale in Calgary usually costs more upfront. It may come with sales history. A franchise costs less to enter, but you pay royalties and follow brand rules.

Independent listings I found on Realtor.ca:

• 17 Avenue SE: $499,900, with lottery sales, an ATM and a U-Haul dealership
• SW Calgary: $429,999, with a rare liquor licence and rent near $6,200 a month
• NW Calgary: $339,999, with over $1 million in annual gross sales over 25 years

This isn’t a perfect comparison. The stores sit in different areas, and independent prices include an existing customer base and sometimes licences. Treat the table as a starting point, not a verdict. For a wider look at both routes, see whether to open your own convenience store or buy a franchise.

How Infinity Mart Compares With 7-Eleven and Circle K

If you want a premium convenience store franchise in Calgary today, your branded options are limited. The two biggest names are still early in Canadian franchising.

• 7-Eleven Canada: plans to launch franchising later in 2026, starting in Ontario and the Maritimes. Alberta isn’t confirmed.
• Circle K: when it began franchising in Canada, the first offer targeted Ontario. I found no confirmed Calgary program.
• Infinity Mart: has live Calgary listings and three formats: standalone, gas station combo, and vape.

The other route is an independent resale. That’s the main competitor for any buyer searching for a convenience store for sale in Calgary.

How a Convenience Store Business Makes Money

A convenience store business earns money from many small sales added together. No single product carries it. For margins by category, see which products have the highest profit margin in a convenience store.

Typical revenue lines:

• Snacks and drinks
• Everyday essentials
• Tobacco and vape products, where permitted
• Lottery sales
• Food, at some formats

What Infinity Mart’s Calgary listings confirm:

• Lotto at 233 Centre Street SW
• Food operations at the Waterfront store

Lottery and tobacco sales need approvals and licences. Check requirements with the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission and with Infinity Mart before you count on those sales.

How to Buy a Convenience Store Franchise in Calgary, Step by Step

Infinity Mart outlines nine steps from first inquiry to opening day. Here’s the short version.

1. Submit your interest
2. Intro call and discovery meeting
3. Due diligence and documentation
4. Site selection and approval
5. Franchise agreement signing
6. Training and onboarding
7. Store buildout and setup
8. Grand opening support
9. Ongoing operations and growth

Know your rights in Alberta. Franchisors must give you a disclosure document at least 14 days before any agreement. If the document is late, you can rescind within 60 days of receiving it, or within two years of the franchise being granted if you never got one.

Get a franchise lawyer and an accountant to read everything before you sign.

Risks to Check Before You Invest

Every business has downsides. Here are the ones to weigh.

• Foot traffic swings. Downtown vacancy is still high, so check how many people actually pass the door.
• Lease commitment. A 5+5-year lease is a long promise. Ask about rent increases.
• Royalty drag. The 5% fee comes off sales, not profit.
• Theft and staff safety. Canadian Grocer reported that four Winnipeg 7-Eleven stores closed, likely tied to theft and staff safety issues. Ask how the franchisor handles this.
• Timing. Centre Street lists 60-day possession, while Kensington isn’t available until January 2027.

Questions to ask Infinity Mart:

• Can I see sales figures from existing stores?
• What’s the average royalty cost across your locations?
• What happens if the store underperforms?
• Can I speak to current franchisees?
• What does the disclosure document say about renewal and transfer?

Is This Convenience Store Business Right for You?

Not everyone should buy one. Here’s a quick gut check. For a fuller list, see the pros and cons of owning a convenience store.

It may be a good fit if you:

• Have $160,000 to $210,000 ready, plus working capital
• Are comfortable with long hours and customer service
• Prefer following a proven system over inventing your own
• Want a downtown or inner-city location

Think twice if you:

• Want a hands-off investment
• Need guaranteed profit
• Dislike rules set by a head office
• Can’t handle slow months

FAQs

How much does a convenience store franchise in Calgary cost?

Infinity Mart’s Calgary listings show total startup costs from $161,500 to $202,500. That covers the asking price, $2,500 training, and minimum inventory. Taxes and working capital are extra.

Is there a convenience store for sale in Calgary under $200,000?

Franchise listings fit, starting at $161,500 total. The independent stores I found were higher, with prices around $340,000 and up.

What are Infinity Mart’s royalties?

The Centre Street and Kensington listings show $500 a month plus 5% of sales. Confirm the royalty for any other location in writing.

Is downtown Calgary a good place for a convenience store business?

It can be. Downtown has more residents and active transit, but office vacancy is still high. Pick a site near homes and stations, not one that relies only on commuters.

How long does it take to open?

The Centre Street store lists 60-day possession. Kensington’s possession date is January 2027. Buildout and training can add time.

Do I need retail experience?

Not stated. Infinity Mart provides training, but asks what support looks like after opening.

Final Thoughts

A convenience store business in downtown Calgary is neither a sure win nor a bad bet. It’s a numbers game: rent, royalties, foot traffic, and your own effort.

If you want a premium convenience store franchise with a clear entry price, Infinity Mart’s Calgary listings give you real figures to work with. If you’d rather own outright, a convenience store for sale in Calgary offers more control at a higher price.

Either way, check the disclosure document, ask for sales data, and compare at least two sites. Ready to explore a convenience store franchise in Calgary? Visit Infinity Mart’s Alberta franchise page and request confidential information.