It’s not often that a gas station chain generates headlines more akin to a major concert tour, but Buc-ee’s isn’t just any gas station. With its oversized stores, award-winning bathrooms, and cult-favorite snacks, this Texas-born brand is on an expansion streak-and two new Lone Star State locations are in the works. The beaver-branded travel center has become something of a roadside legend, drawing fans from hundreds of miles away for brisket sandwiches, Beaver Nuggets, and a shopping experience that feels part mega-mall, part hometown market.
Founded by Arch “Beaver” Aplin III in 1982, Buc-ee’s has grown from a humble 3,000-square-foot store in Lake Jackson into a national phenomenon. With its latest plans, the chain is set to bring its Texas-sized hospitality to more corners of the country, including first-ever stores in several states. Here’s a closer look at what makes Buc-ee’s expansion so exciting-and why its new openings are a big deal for travelers and communities alike.
1. Two New Texas Locations Are Coming
Get ready, Central Texas, for more Buc-ee’s love. Construction is ongoing in San Marcos, with an opening set for May 2026, and Boerne will get a store later that year. These will add to the existing number of 36 Buc-ee’s locations across Texas, further cementing the brand’s heartland.
2. Expansion Spreads to Six Other States
Outside of Texas, Buc-ee’s is breaking ground in Goodyear, Arizona; Benton, Arkansas; Ocala, Florida; Monroe County, Georgia; Mebane, North Carolina; and Huber Heights, Ohio. Each store boasts sprawling footprints-most well over 74,000 square feet-and more than 100 fueling stations, a guarantee that the Buc-ee’s experience is consistent coast to coast.
3. The Luling Store holds a world record.
In June 2024, Buc-ee’s replaced its original 2003 travel center with its largest store ever, in Luling, Texas. Currently the world’s largest convenience store, it is 75,000 square feet with 120 fuel pumps, though an 80,000-square-foot Ocala, Florida location is already in the works.
4. Bathrooms Built the Brand
Clean bathrooms at Buc-ee’s are not just ad hyperbole. They’ve won awards; they’re a key part of the company’s draw. The company is committed to “award-winning clean restrooms, freshly prepared food, cheap gas, and outstanding customer service,” as Jeff Nadalo, Buc-ee’s general counsel, put it. Large stores often have upwards of dozens of stalls, minimizing wait times even during peak travel periods.
5. Food is a Major Draw
From smoky brisket sandwiches to kolaches and fresh fudge, Buc-ee’s food options rival specialty markets. The famous Beaver Nuggets sweet corn puff snacks are a top seller. And then there are walls of jerky and seasonal treats that round out why travelers return to fill up. A fan favorite: the open kitchen brisket station, where staff call out when fresh meat hits the board.
6. The Iconic Beaver Logo Has a Backstory
The name Buc-ee’s was partly inspired by Arch Aplin’s childhood nickname “Beaver” and his dog Buck, while the logo nods to a 1950s cartoon character called Bucky Beaver. Today, statues of the smiling mascot greet visitors at store entrances and have become a must-snap photo op for first-timers.
7. Buc-ee’s Boosts Local Economies
New stores often bring upwards of 200 well-paying jobs into their communities, many paying well above industry averages. The 2025 opening in Harrison County, Mississippi, immediately made Buc-ee’s one of the largest private employers in that region. Many local governments also invest in infrastructure to handle the traffic these mega-stores draw in.
8. EV Charging Is Part of the Future
Many of the new Buc-ee’s have electric vehicle charging stations, and they will continue to add more as demand increases. This Harrison County store has 24 chargers, making it a great place to stop on either a gas-powered or electric road trip.
9. A Unique Business Model Drives Success
Unlike most filling stations, Buc-ee’s derives the majority of its income from in-store sales, not fuel. That focus enables heavy investments in store experience, employee pay, and product variety-all of which feed its cult-like following. Buc-ee’s isn’t just building more places to fill up your tank; it is creating destinations that meld Texas-sized scale with small-town charm.
And as the brand plants its flag in new states and deepens its roots in Texas, road trippers can count on more clean bathrooms, hearty meals, and beaver-branded treasures along America’s highways. For fans, each new opening isn’t just another store; it’s another reason to hit the road.
