I guess that’s why Exxon announced they were getting out of the retail gasoline business - there’s too much money in it.
Exxon doesn't need the retail gasoline business. They can make all their money on the wholesale end. The retail gasoline business only accounts for a few cents of profit on a gallon of gas.
I think you are evading the issue, but to answer your query, you are right. There isn’t enough profit in the stations themselves to justify Exxon keeping some 8000 people on the payroll at about 1400 US retail service stations. Notice that whomever buys the stations will STILL be selling EXXON’S gasoline, under the EXXON brand, however. There is still some $$$ to be made refining, apparently.