(NEXSTAR) – Already this year, Buc-ee’s, the popular Texas-based chain of convenience stores and gas stations, It expanded its footprint into new countries. The growth does not appear to be stopping anytime soon, as the company began construction on several new sites in October despite opposition from local residents and lawmakers in some areas.
Since 2019, Buc-ee’s has been working on an expanded growth plan. During the summer, Mississippi and Virginia saw its first Buc-ee’s locations open, expanding the Beaver-led retailer’s portfolio to 54 stores in nine states.
In October, Buc-ee’s began construction on sites in MurfreesboroTennessee; Kansas CityKS; and Ruston,Louisiana. Earlier this year, the company began operations San MarcosTexas.
Meanwhile, work continues on Benton and West MemphisArkansas, which will be the first Buc-ee’s locations in the state. It is expected to be the last The third largest Buc-ee’s ever.
Louisiana, North Carolinaand Arizona They are also waiting for the first ever Buc-ee’s game. Ohio expects to open in 2026. Although later than expectedIn Huber Heights. Three additional Buc-ee’s restaurants could open in 2027: the Kansas City location, as well Galloway, TennesseeOak Creek, Wisconsin. These will be the first locations for Wisconsin and Kansas.
Buc-ee’s is also setting up travel centers in at least 10 other locations.
This includes in Ocala and Fort PierceFlorida, where local reports show the stores are in various stages of the approval process.
In Palmer Lake, Colorado, the Board of Trustees approved an application to annex the proposed Buck-E area During a controversial meeting Next May, the decision will go to voters in a special election. Meanwhile, the town trustee and mayor to resignCiting pressure from meetings and lawsuits related to the proposed travel center. Colorado’s governor and U.S. senators have also called on Buc-ee’s CEO to do so Reconsider the proposed location Because it is located “within one of the most important conservation corridors in the United States.”
Two other cities in Colorado, Lamar and Pueblothey suggested that Buc-ee’s come to their communities instead.
Some travel hubs, such as the Huber Heights location, have experienced delays. Construction began in August 2024 on the site but was briefly halted amid conflict over sanitation and water services. The planned opening in late 2025 has been postponed to spring 2026, the company confirmed to Nexstar affiliate WDTN.
Necessary road work hampered sites in Oak Grove, Kentucky, and Anderson, South Carolina, earlier this year. Officials He said construction could begin soon In Oak Grove. Meanwhile, in Anderson, local leaders told Nexstar affiliate WSPA they need about $60 million to fix the intersection. As of this summer, the funding gap was about $50 million. Construction delay.
In other communities, Buc-ee’s faces opposition from residents over the massive travel centers it plans to build.
That includes the city of Oak Creek, where city officials gave Buc-ee’s the green light to begin construction despite opposition that turned into a lawsuit from local residents. The judge rejected this case and construction on the site It could start later this year.
“We have neighbors all over the country that live right next door to us,” Buc-ee’s director of real estate and development, Stan Byrd, told Wisconsin reporters in September. “They didn’t want us there at first either. We’re a good corporate partner. We’re a good local partner.”
In Southwest Florida, residents did just that He expressed concerns about the proposed Buc-ee’s location in Harbor Heights, expressing concerns that it could worsen flooding in the area and encroach on wildlife habitat. County leaders also called for an end to roundabouts Potential traffic problemswith Buc-ee’s largely footing the bill.
said residents who live near the potential future location of Buc-ee’s in Stafford, Virginia Nexstar’s WDVM They are concerned about the traffic and environmental impacts the project is likely to pose. County officials I shared similar concerns during a late October meeting and voted to delay a decision on the site until January 2026. A member of the county Planning Commission said the 86 comments submitted 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 quickly, and there’s no rush,” said Steven Apicella, chairman of the county Planning Commission.
Buc-ee’s has adjusted its plans in response to local feedback before. In late October, the company He agreed to multiple concessions At its proposed location in BoerneState of Texas, including reducing the size of the building and the number of fueling stations.
In other areas, such as Hardeeville, South Carolina, Buc-ee’s will be established as the state is already working to improve a nearby interstate. Local officials said The work is expected to help with expected traffic to the area not only for Buc-ee’s but also for other nearby developments.
Meanwhile, Buc-ee’s is still looking to grow.
In September, the Springville, Utah, City Council unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding to make improvements to the freeway exit where Buc-ee’s hopes to build its first location in the state. Springville is located about 50 miles south of Salt Lake City.
There is also expected to be at least one Buc-ee’s location in central Indiana, Nexstar’s WXIN/WTTV. I mentioned Thursday. The company is said to be nearing a deal to buy 28 acres near Greenwood, about 11 miles outside the heart of Indianapolis, while also considering another site in Boone County.
Others hope Buc-ee’s will come to them.
The city of Norwalk, Iowa, just south of Des Moines, started a petition over the summer to bring the company to their city. There are currently no beaver stops in Iowa, a fact local leaders are keen to highlight.
“The question I ask Buc-ee’s is they’re building these buildings in Missouri, they’re building them in Wisconsin, so why did they skip Iowa?” Norwalk Mayor Tom Phillips he said in July. the Petition It has more than 3,600 signatures as of late October.
Buc-ee’s did not respond to Nexstar’s request for comment or additional information.
If all of these locations are built and open, Buc-ee’s will have more than 70 locations in about 20 states.
The Texas-based chain’s first store opened in 1982, but its first brick-and-mortar travel center opened in 2003. That location, in Luling, outside San Antonio, was damaged in a fire last year. A month ago, Buc-ee’s was replaced by a new travel center in the same area.
It’s the massive travel hubs — featuring everything from fuel and snacks to Buc-ee’s merchandise, hot foods, kitchen appliances, grills, and even fishing gear — that seem to have attracted a cult following for the brand. The company’s beloved mascot, Buc-ee the Beaver, is equally adored.
Buc-ee’s says each new location creates at least 200 full-time jobs for the community and takes about 12 to 15 months to build, once construction begins. It remains one of the top convenience stores in the United States, despite its drop in this year’s rankings. Buc-ee’s stores are open all day, every day.