Buc-ee’s CEO signals expansion shift away from blue states that ‘don’t appreciate’ chain

Buc-ee’s CEO suggested recently that the Texas-based travel center chain may be done looking into blue districts, saying some communities do not appreciate what the company brings while conservative states offer business-friendly and family-oriented values.

Arch "Beaver" Aplin III, the company’s president and co-founder, made the comments during the grand opening of Buc-ee’s newest location in Benton, Arkansas on August 17. The chain is known for its expansive gas stations, famously clean restrooms and in-house food offerings. 

"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. 

Aplin criticized states that he said do not appreciate what Buc-ee’s brings to their communities, suggesting the company would rather focus its expansion efforts elsewhere. 

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"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.

Conservative states typically promote business-friendly and family-oriented policies that align with Buc-ee’s values, Aplin said.  

"That leadership, that concept, that idea of conservative, business-friendly, family-oriented concept works so much better if it trickles down from the very leadership from the top at the governor's office, at the congressman, at senator, at the mayor, the representatives," he said. 

Aplin pointed to Benton as an example of the approach, saying the city’s business-friendly environment helped pave the way for Buc-ee’s newest location.

"What we found when we got here into Benton was a business-friendly town," he said.

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Founded in 1982, Buc-ee’s operates sprawling travel centers that typically feature 74,000 square feet of space and 120 fueling positions. The locations often create more than 200 jobs, according to the company.

Buc-ee’s currently has 58 locations, including 37 in Texas, according to the company’s website.

The chain has expanded to 13 other states, including Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia. 

Nearly all the cities where Buc-ee’s operates are located in areas that generally lean conservative, with a few exceptions where local political dynamics are more mixed.

Auburn, Alabama, for example, is a college town located in a predominantly Republican county, giving it a more politically mixed environment than some surrounding communities.

Brunswick, Georgia, has a Democratic-leaning municipal base despite being located in Glynn County, which has generally leaned Republican.

Goodyear, Arizona, has become a competitive suburban area in recent election cycles and is located in the West Valley of Maricopa County, a region that has historically leaned Republican but has become increasingly politically competitive.

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More Buc-ee’s locations are slated to open in the coming years, including a travel center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on Nov. 16.

Six locations are also expected to open in 2027, including sites in Ruston, Louisiana; Kansas City, Kansas; Gallaway, Tennessee; St. Lucie, Florida; Boerne, Texas; and Monroe County, Georgia. 

Two additional locations are planned for 2028 in Mebane, North Carolina, and Lafayette, Louisiana.