Buc-ee’s closes in on first Oklahoma location after co-founder touts business-friendly states

Buc-ee’s is eyeing its first stop in the Sooner State, with Oklahoma City’s mayor announcing Tuesday that talks are heating up to bring the popular Texas-based chain to town.

Mayor David Holt said the company is in "very active conversations" with the city about a location at Interstate 40 and Cimarron Road in west Oklahoma City.

"I can now finally confirm that we are in very active conversations with Buc-ee’s about their first location in Oklahoma City (and the State of Oklahoma), which will be located at Interstate 40 and Cimarron Road in West OKC," Holt wrote.

The announcement also came with a step toward building the infrastructure needed to support the project.

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Holt said the City Council approved an agreement Tuesday involving the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the development company associated with Buc-ee’s.

"There will be new infrastructure necessary to facilitate this project, and that aspect of the project is made possible by a partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation," he said.

Holt did not announce a construction or opening date.

"Though work lies ahead, we look forward to the opportunity to welcome Buc-ee’s to OKC!" he added.

The announcement drew excitement in the comments section of Holt’s post, with some already looking forward to the chain’s food offerings.

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"Yay!! Better start that Beef Jerky savings account!" one commenter wrote.

"Those brisket sandwiches are gonna be the death of me," another added.

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Fox News Digital reached out to Buc-ee’s for confirmation of the proposed location, additional details and an anticipated opening timeline.

The Oklahoma talks come as the chain pushes into new states and its co-founder makes clear that a welcoming business climate matters when deciding where to build next.

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Arch "Beaver" Aplin III, Buc-ee’s president and co-founder, praised conservative states during the Aug. 17 grand opening of the chain’s first Arkansas location in Benton, Fox Business previously reported.

"We have a lot of opportunities. We're growing. We're building in a lot of places. But when you find a conservative business-friendly state with a phenomenal workforce, it makes a difference," Aplin said.

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He also suggested the company would rather invest in communities eager to welcome it.

"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 are building," he said.

Known for sprawling stores, brisket sandwiches and clean restrooms, Buc-ee’s has grown far beyond its Texas roots since its founding in 1982.

The company’s website lists several more openings on the horizon, including Ruston, Louisiana, and Kansas City, Kansas, in 2027. Both are expected to become the chain’s first locations in their respective states.

Other locations listed for 2027 include Gallaway, Tennessee, St. Lucie, Florida, Boerne, Texas, and Monroe County, Georgia.

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The website also lists Mebane, North Carolina, and Lafayette, Louisiana, for 2028. Mebane is set to mark Buc-ee’s debut in North Carolina.

Buc-ee’s cautions that its estimated opening dates are subject to change. Oklahoma City does not yet appear on the upcoming openings list.

Fox News Digital's Bonny Chu contributed to this report.