Buc-ee’s, the well-known convenience store and gas station chain from Texas, has continued its expansion this year by opening new locations in various states. Despite some pushback from locals and lawmakers, October saw the company break ground on several new sites, with no sign of slowing down.
Since 2019, Buc-ee’s has been on a growth spree. Following the launches of stores in Mississippi and Virginia earlier this summer, the brand now boasts 54 locations across nine states.
In October, the company began construction on its next sites, including Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Kansas City, Kansas; and Ruston, Louisiana. Earlier in the year, they also started work on a new location in San Marcos, Texas.
Moreover, developments are underway in Benton and West Memphis, marking Arkansas’ first Buc-ee’s store. This particular location is expected to become one of the largest Buc-ee’s, according to local reports.
In addition to these openings, Buc-ee’s has plans for future centers in Louisiana, North Carolina, and Arizona, with an anticipated debut in Ohio by 2026. Although initial plans for Huber Heights have been delayed, more Buc-ee’s could emerge in Kansas, Tennessee, and Wisconsin starting in 2027.
The company is actively pursuing at least ten more travel center projects. Locations such as Ocala and Fort Pierce in Florida are reportedly at different stages of the approval process.
In Palmer Lake, Colorado, the board has approved Buc-ee’s application for annexation, but the matter has stirred some controversy, prompting a special election in May. Local and state officials, including the governor, have urged Buc-ee’s CEO to reconsider this location due to its ecological significance.
Other cities in Colorado, like Lamar and Pueblo, are similarly inviting Buc-ee’s to set up shop in their communities.
Some projects, like the one in Huber Heights, have faced setbacks. Construction commenced in August 2024 but was paused over a conflict regarding sewer and water services, leading to a shift in the projected opening timeline to spring 2026.
In Oak Grove, Kentucky, and Anderson, South Carolina, progress is ongoing, although additional funding is necessary for road renovations in Anderson. Residents in several locations have voiced their concerns regarding the impact of the large travel centers Buc-ee’s aims to build.
In Oak Creek, Wisconsin, city officials have approved construction plans despite local objections, which led to a lawsuit that was ultimately dismissed.
Buc-ee’s Director of Real Estate and Development, Stan Beard, reassured that they aim to be good community partners, noting that many residents at existing locations initially opposed the chain’s presence. In Southwest Florida, concerns have surfaced regarding potential flooding and environmental disruption due to a proposed Buc-ee’s.
Local officials in Stafford, Virginia, are weighing the implications of traffic and environmental effects, with numerous comments about the project’s impact being submitted to the planning commission.
Some community members, like Stephen Apicella, chairman of the county planning commission, have expressed apprehensions about moving forward too hastily. Buc-ee’s has shown a willingness to modify its plans in response to local feedback, as seen in recent developments in Boerne, Texas, where adjustments were made based on community input.
In other regions, such as Hardeeville, South Carolina, Buc-ee’s is on track to enhance local traffic flow, which could ease congestion in the area.
Continuing its growth trajectory, Buc-ee’s is eyeing new locations in Utah and central Indiana, with plans for possibly acquiring land near Indianapolis in the works. Meanwhile, a petition in Norwalk, Iowa, reflects locals’ hopes for a Buc-ee’s in their town, especially since the chain is opening sites in nearby states.
Once all these stores are operational, Buc-ee’s could have over 70 locations across nearly 20 states. The brand, which started in 1982, first opened a full-fledged travel center in 2003, and since then, its offerings have expanded significantly, drawing a dedicated customer base.
Buc-ee’s asserts that each new center will create about 200 full-time employment opportunities and typically takes 12 to 15 months to complete following the start of construction. They remain a top contender among convenience stores in the country, operating 24/7.
