(NEXSTAR) — Already this year, Buc-ee’s, the adored Texas-based convenience store and gas station chain, has expanded its footprint into new states. The growth doesn’t appear to be stopping any time soon, with the company breaking ground on several new locations in October despite pushback from locals and lawmakers in some areas.
Since 2019, Buc-ee’s has been working on an expansive growth plan. Over the summer, Mississippi and Virginia saw their first Buc-ee’s locations open, stretching the beaver-helmed retailer’s portfolio into 54 stores across nine states.
In October, Buc-ee’s broke ground on locations in Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Kansas City, Kansas; and Ruston, Louisiana. Earlier this year, the company broke ground in San Marcos, Texas.
Meanwhile, work continues in Benton and West Memphis, Arkansas, which will be the first Buc-ee’s locations in the state. The latter is expected to be the third-largest Buc-ee’s ever.
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Louisiana, North Carolina, and Arizona are also awaiting their first-ever Buc-ee’s. Ohio expects its to open in 2026, albeit later than expected, in Huber Heights. Three additional Buc-ee’s could open in 2027: the Kansas City location, as well as Gallaway, Tennessee, and Oak Creek, Wisconsin. These would mark the first locations for Wisconsin and Kansas.
Buc-ee’s is also working to construct travel centers in at least 10 other locations.
That includes Ocala and Fort Pierce, Florida, where local reporting shows the stores are at various stages of the approval process.
In Palmer Lake, Colorado, the board of trustees approved an annexation request for a proposed Buc-ee’s during a contentious meeting in May, a decision that will go to the voters in a special election. Meanwhile, the town’s trustee and mayor pro tem has resigned, citing the stress from meetings and litigation related to the proposed travel center. Colorado’s governor and U.S. senators have also called on the Buc-ee’s CEO to reconsider the proposed site because it lies “within one of the most consequential conservation corridors in the United States.”
Two other Colorado cities, Lamar and Pueblo, have suggested that Buc-ee’s come to their communities instead.
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Some travel centers, like the Huber Heights location, have experienced delays. Construction began in August 2024 on the site but was briefly paused amid a conflict over sewer and water services. The company confirmed to Nexstar’s WDTN that the planned opening in late 2025 had been pushed to spring 2026.
Necessary roadwork hindered locations in Oak Grove, Kentucky, and Anderson, South Carolina, earlier this year. Officials said construction could begin soon in Oak Grove. In Anderson, meanwhile, local leaders told Nexstar’s WSPA they needed about $60 million to fix an interchange. As of this summer, the funding gap sat at about $50 million, delaying construction.
In other communities, Buc-ee’s is facing pushback from residents over the massive travel centers it plans to build.
A young shopper walks between displays of Christmas-themed clothing in a Buc-ee’s store Wednesday, Oct. 1, 20025, in Johnstown, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
That includes in Oak Creek, where city officials gave Buc-ee’s the go-ahead to start building despite pushback that turned into a lawsuit from local residents. A judge has dismissed that case and construction on the site could begin later this year.
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“We’ve got neighbors all over the country who live right next door to us,” Stan Beard, director of real estate and development for Buc-ee’s told Wisconsin reporters in September. “They didn’t want us there to begin with, either. We’re a good corporate partner. We’re a good local partner.”
In southwest Florida, residents have expressed concerns about the proposed Buc-ee’s location in Harbour Heights, expressing concerns that it could exacerbate flooding in the area and encroach on a wildlife habitat. County leaders have also called for roundabouts over potential traffic problems, with Buc-ee’s largely footing the bill.
Residents living near the possible future site of a Buc-ee’s in Stafford, Virginia, told NewsNation affiliate WDVM they’re concerned about the traffic and environmental impacts potentially posed by the project. County officials shared similar concerns during a late October meeting and have voted to defer a decision on the site until January 2026. A member of the county planning commission said the 86 comments made by the Virginia Department of Transportation regarding the traffic impact analysis and development plan were the most he had seen, Virginia Business reported.
“I think we’re forcing this to happen too fast, and there’s no rush,” Steven Apicella, chair of the county planning commission, said.
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Buc-ee’s has adjusted plans in response to local feedback before. In late October, the company agreed to multiple concessions on its proposed location in Boerne, Texas, including cutting back on the size of the building and the number of fueling stations.
A display of Buc-ee’s beaver dolls fills the bed of a pickup truck in a Buc-ee’s store Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Johnstown, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
In other areas, like Hardeeville, South Carolina, the construction of a Buc-ee’s is coming as the state is already improving the nearby interstate. Local officials said the work is expected to help with the anticipated traffic to the area for not only Buc-ee’s but other nearby developments.
Meanwhile, Buc-ee’s is still looking to grow.
In September, the city council in Springville, Utah, unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding to make improvements at an interstate exit where Buc-ee’s is hoping to construct its first location in the state. Springville is about 50 miles south of Salt Lake City.
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At least one Buc-ee’s location is also expected in central Indiana, NewsNation affiliate WXIN/WTTV reported Thursday. The company was said to be nearing a deal to purchase 28 acres near Greenwood, about 11 miles outside the heart of Indianapolis, while also considering another site in Boone County.
Others are hoping Buc-ee’s will come to them.
Norwalk, Iowa, located just south of Des Moines, started a petition over the summer to bring the company to their town. There are currently no beaver-based stops in Iowa, a fact that local leaders made sure to highlight.
“The question I have for Buc-ee’s is that they’re building them in Missouri, they’re building in Wisconsin, why did they skip Iowa?” Norwalk Mayor Tom Phillips said in July. The petition has more than 3,600 signatures as of late October.
Buc-ee’s did not respond to NewsNation parent company Nexstar’s request for comment or additional information.
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Should all these locations be built and opened, Buc-ee’s will have more than 70 locations across nearly 20 states.
The first store of the Texas-based chain opened in 1982, but its first true travel center opened in 2003. That location, in Luling, outside of San Antonio, was damaged in a fire last year. A month prior, the Buc-ee’s had been replaced by a new travel center in the same area.
It’s the massive travel centers — featuring everything from fuel and snacks to Buc-ee’s merchandise, hot food, kitchen items, grills, and even hunting gear — that have seemingly attracted a cult-like following to the brand. The company’s beloved mascot, Buc-ee the Beaver, receives just as much adoration.
Buc-ee’s says that each new location brings at least 200 full-time jobs to the community and takes about 12 to 15 months to build, once construction begins. It remains one of the top-ranked convenience stores in the U.S., despite falling in this year’s rankings. Buc-ee’s stores are open all day, every day.
