Is Buc-ee's Overrated? A Review of the American Chain
What's the worst part about a family road trip, other than the constant whines of "Are we there yet?" coming from the backseat? Crummy bathrooms. They're the bane of a traveler's existence, but not if that traveler happens to be close to a Buc-ee's. If you're lucky enough to pass this Texan brand of gas station convenience store that's almost 30 times the size of the industry average, you'll be treated to perpetually cleaned stalls that turn from red to green when unoccupied.
But wait, there's more, from legendary snacks and hunks of meat to dozens of pumps and too many cute things emblazoned with a smiley cartoon beaver. Grab some iced tea, ready your trolleys, and off we go to Buc-ee's.
01 The Buc-ee's story: From humble beginnings to nationwide phenomenon
The first Buc-ee's opened in 1982 in Lake Jackson, Texas. It was the brainchild of one Arch "Beaver" Aplin, and this initial iteration wasn't much bigger than the average roadside convenience store. The snack selection was just okay, but the store had brass ceiling fans and cedar accents for a slightly fancier feel. It took a long time, about thirty years, in fact, before Buc-ee's became the kind of store devoted customers know today.
The shift to huge stores began in 2003, and by 2012, Mr. Aplin opened a 56,000-square-foot branch in Bastrop near Austin and upped the ante. Since then, Buc-ee's has steadily expanded its footprint in Texas and the South, with more stores in more states on the way.
02 Restrooms and retail: Buc-ee's unique selling points
Three core offerings are at the heart of the Buc-ee's mission: restrooms so clean they win awards; a wide variety of snacks and merchandise to fill a customer's belly and put a smile on their face; and competitive fuel prices. On road trips, finding a comfortable place to answer the call of nature can be a challenge. This is not so at Buc-ee's, where the bathrooms are famous not just for their high-tech sparkliness but for the abundance of toilet stalls, which means there is little to no queueing to do your business. The restroom is usually a road tripper's first port of call, so it sets the tone and persuades folks to linger longer.
03 Navigating the Buc-ee's experience
Another element Buc-ee's prides itself on is its outstanding customer service. Staff members are friendly, welcome customers to the store, and are quick to assist. The store layout facilitates easy navigation, and shelves and displays are tidy with interesting merchandising. Goodies that became favorites are always in stock, no matter the time of day, plus digital-ordering kiosks make for less waiting in lines during peak hours. Even though Buc-ee's is a busy place, you don't have to waste time getting what you need, thanks to the store's efficiency.
04 Snack attack: Must-Try Buc-ee's products
Folks are willing to drive hundreds of miles to stock up on Buc-ee's snacks, such as their popular Beaver Nuggets, yummy fudge, and copious amounts of jerky in all the flavors you could want. Then there's their much-hyped brisket station crewed by boisterous employees—the meat here has been called "life-changing." The seasonal merch is also pretty neat, from clothing to home decor. Kids love the Buc-ee's beaver stuffed animal with its buck teeth and smile—the mascot is a celebrity in its own right—but you'll find much more besides, from picnic blankets to swimsuits and locally sourced bits and bobs.
05 Is Buc-ee's a bargain? Price check
Some accuse Buc-ee's of being a tourist trap with higher prices than local bakeries, for example, and an absence of locals. But these people would be in the minority. For the most part, people are pleased with the reasonable prices at Buc-ee's, especially considering the above-average quality of the freshly made food. The fountain drinks and bottled drinks are good value for money, and economies of scale mean that the store can pass on savings to customers, unlike smaller mini-marts. Buc-ee's is a bargain if you don't fall prey to the often irresistible merch.
06 On the road: Location and accessibility
Buc-ee's travel centers are a significant distance away from major metros because they cater to travelers and long-distance drivers. Each Buc-ee's location is conveniently situated along major highways. The impact on local traffic tends to be minimal because the company paves the way for additional lanes and traffic signals. Buc-ee's engineers work with city officials to establish the kinds of upgrades and utilities necessary to accommodate a new branch, and these improvements are often welcome.
07 Cult status: Buc-ee's cultural impact
Buc-ee's makes for a fascinating marketing case study. The company has catapulted to cult-following status as a result of a few factors. Quirky, strategically placed billboards alongside highways cover hundreds of miles. For example, one billboard referenced the stores' amazing bathrooms with: "Top two reasons to stop at Buc-ee's: #1 and #2." Stores are brand-consistent, so you know what to expect. They're large, making them an attraction in and of themselves.
There's a scarcity element, with limited branches nationwide, and Buc-ee's notably does not sell items online, although reselling does take place. Store numbers are unlisted, which adds to the air of scarcity. Word of mouth from loyal fans on TikTok like Dylan and Shelby Reese, as well as customer reviews on platforms like Yelp, do much of the social media legwork.
08 Green or mean? Environmental impact of Buc-ee's
Concerned citizens point to a culture of overconsumption, which creates waste and the large amount of fuel needed to transport cheap, foreign-made novelty goods to stores and then to landfills. This is not specifically a Buc-ee's issue, though, and the company is as guilty of unsustainable practices as other big box retailers—bigger isn't better when we are already starting to see the effects of human-induced climate change in American towns and cities. In terms of spills and water pollution, Buc-ee's has had no incidents.
09 Battle of the brands: How Buc-ee's stacks up against competitors
People love the hoagies at Wawas, and Maverik has its Western-style architecture and in-house restaurant. But Buc-ee's beats them in the size department—its biggest branches have broken world records and made the convenience store an attraction in and of itself. You can fit six QuikTrips into a Buc-ee's. Buc-ee's arguably has the tastiest food, too, with an insanely wide selection to suit different palates and more of a bougie feel than your average vending machine fare. It also has a gigantic assortment of exclusive own-brand products and the kind of bathrooms you're unlikely to find at Shell or elsewhere.
The store has become a must-stop where you can get everything you need for your journey, but if you want a quick in and out, chances are you're gonna get waylaid and extend your trip by half an hour to an hour at least. This is one of the elements where competitors have an advantage.
10 Seatless but sweet: The controversy of no seating areas
Buc-ee's travel centers lack parking spots, but that's not the only issue raised by critics. There's no seating inside—if you buy food, you have to eat it in your car. This is by design. With a lot of foot and vehicle traffic, the brand wants to keep things moving. Buc-ee's is a convenience store and pit stop, not a dining area, and lingering vehicles would negatively affect the overall experience. The lack of seating actually impacts employees more, as some are on their feet for up to 10 hours with a short 10-minute break to eat and use the restroom.
11 Fill 'Er Up: Fuel prices and availability
What can you expect from the world's largest gas station? Around 120 gas pumps, to begin with. Select locations have ethanol-free fuel for boats and small engines, diesel exhaust fluid, and EV charging stations. Even if it's not the cheapest out there, the fuel is reliably well-priced, in line with the store's promise. When Buc-ee's was $2.76 a gallon at Sevierville, Tennessee, for example, the national average was around $3.90, according to AAA.
12 Looking ahead: Buc-ee's future plans
There are currently 48 Buc-ee's in the U.S., but this figure is set to grow, with at least another dozen Buc-ee's in the works. The first location outside of the Lone Star State opened in Alabama in 2019. The largest one, the Sevierville store, will soon be overtaken by stores in Luling, Texas and Ocala, Florida, and the latter will be a whopping 80,000-square-foot travel center. Some locations have car washes.
13 Local impact: How Buc-ee's affects nearby communities
On the whole, it's good news when a Buc-ee's comes to town, at least for the local economy. A new superstore leads to jobs and funds from indirect sales tax. Buc-ee's pays relatively well, with healthcare provided, a 401k, and three weeks of paid time off. Most customers generally arrive from over 20 miles away, meaning existing businesses shouldn't be badly affected.
Furthermore, the arrival of a Buc-ee's results in the development of areas, bringing more commerce and people to once lackluster parts. The company also contributes to the communities where it's based by supporting 501(c)(3) organizations that make appeals. Since 2020, there have been 1149567 requests.
14 The final verdict on Buc-ee's
Until very recently, you could only find a Buc-ee's in Texas, where its founders are from. The company has a super-sized identity similar to its home state and has taken Texan BBQ and a regional flair to six other states and counting. Along the way, it has garnered unrivaled brand loyalty for its cheap fuel, impeccable bathrooms, and superior food choices.
It's not over-rated—as far as convenience stores go, you won't get a better experience. Still, questions about American overconsumerism cast a shadow over Buc-ee's growing footprint. Have you been to a Buc-ee's? We'd love to hear what you liked or didn't like about your experience.
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