Buc-ee's, the Texas-based chain of expansive travel centers, is strategically targeting its national expansion toward "conservative, business-friendly states" with robust workforces, according to remarks by company president, CEO, and co-founder Arch "Beaver" Aplin III. Aplin made these comments during the grand opening of Buc-ee's newest location in Benton, Arkansas, on August 17.
"I'm starting to realize life's too short to try to build in places that people don't appreciate what you're bringing versus a place like this, where people do appreciate what you're building," Aplin said in a video shared by Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. He was joined at the Arkansas opening by Sanders and Senator Tom Cotton, underscoring the local political engagement with the business's arrival.
Buc-ee's currently operates 58 locations and has outlined plans for significant national growth through 2031. This year, the company opened its first stores in Ohio and Arizona. Projections indicate the chain will debut its initial locations in Louisiana, Kansas, and Wisconsin by the end of 2027, with further store openings planned for Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Kentucky, and South Carolina.
The company has cultivated a dedicated following by transforming the conventional gas station experience into a destination. Its large travel centers feature hundreds of gas pumps, extensive parking, and vast retail spaces offering food, apparel, souvenirs, and Buc-ee's branded merchandise. The chain is particularly known for its clean restrooms and popular food offerings, including brisket, kolaches, fudge, and its signature Beaver Nuggets.
As Buc-ee's expands its footprint, it has encountered some challenges. The company has faced trademark disputes in new markets, including a legal battle in Ohio with a smaller business. In Colorado, Buc-ee's plans for a large El Paso County location were initially blocked by planning officials who questioned the classification of the proposed 74,000-square-foot development with 120 fuel pumps under existing zoning for convenience stores.
Despite these hurdles, Aplin's statements indicate that Buc-ee's considers factors beyond just traffic and available land when selecting new sites, emphasizing the importance of a favorable business climate, workforce, and local leadership. The enthusiastic public response to its new store openings suggests a strong customer base is ready to embrace the chain's expansion into new communities.