Buc-ee's explained

Buc-ee's Holdings, Inc.
Type:Private
Founders:Don Wasek
Arch "Beaver" Aplin III
Location City:Lake Jackson, Texas
Location Country:U.S.
Locations:50[1]
Area Served:United States
Products:Fuel, convenience food, etc.

Buc-ee's Holdings, Inc., commonly referred to as Buc-ee's, is an American chain of country stores, gas stations, and electric vehicle chargers created and owned by Arch "Beaver" Aplin III, headquartered in Lake Jackson, Texas.[2] The chain was founded in 1982 in Clute, Texas and began expansion with its first travel center in Luling, Texas in 2003. The company began expanding outside of Texas in 2018 with the opening of a location in Baldwin County, Alabama, and has since opened locations in Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, Colorado, and Missouri, with new locations planned for North Carolina, Mississippi, Ohio, Virginia, Louisiana, Arkansas, Arizona, Kansas, Wisconsin, and Oklahoma.[3] [4] [5]

As of June 2024, Buc-ee's has the largest gas station in the world, being located in Luling, Texas.[6] The chain has also become well known for the cleanliness of its bathrooms and its mascot. Buc-ee's has never permitted 18-wheelers at its locations, saying that "the company’s parking lots and driveways aren't designed to accommodate truckers", a policy that has angered some truckers.[7] [8]

The chain is popular compared to other gas stations due to its large customer base who have been shown to frequent the chain over a long period of time.[9] [10] [11] Its bathrooms have also gained significant acclaim, winning the Cintas award for "Best Restroom in America" in 2012.[12]

History

Founder Arch "Beaver" Aplin opened his first store as partners in Clute, Texas in 1982. Aplin formed the name Buc-ee's by combining his childhood nickname; the name of his Labrador Retriever, Buck; as well as the appeal of Ipana toothpaste's animated mascot, Bucky the beaver.[13] [14] Aplin was born in Southeast Texas, with his father originating from, and grandparents residing in, Harrisonburg, Louisiana.[15] Buc-ee's expanded and opened its first travel center in Luling, Texas, in 2003.

In 2012, Buc-ee's opened its largest travel center in New Braunfels, Texas, on Interstate 35. The New Braunfels location was the largest convenience store in the world at 68000square feet,[16] but on June 26, 2023, the Sevierville, Tennessee Buc-ee's opened and became the world's largest convenience store at 74,707 square feet (6,940.5 m²). The Sevierville store was surpassed in size by a new store in Luling, Texas at 75,000 square feet (6967.7 m²) on June 10, 2024, replacing the original Luling travel center which was 35,000 square feet (3251.6m²).[17] The New Braunfels, Texas store had the 2012 "Best Restroom in America" named by Cintas.[18]

After significant expansion in the Greater Houston area and Central Texas, the first Buc-ee's in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex opened in Terrell, Texas, on June 22, 2015. The travel center is located three miles west of The Shops at Terrell (a former Tanger Outlets center) on Interstate 20.In September 2015, it was announced that at least part of Buc-ee's corporate operations would move to office space at Pearland Town Center. The "partial headquarters" would house the legal and human resources departments of the company. The space was ready by the early part of 2016.[19]

The second Buc-ee's in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the 32nd location in Texas, opened on May 23, 2016. The store is located in far northern Fort Worth, across the street from Texas Motor Speedway.[20] The third DFW location opened in Denton, Texas, on October 29, 2018.

Buc-ee's established another North Texas location in Melissa, Texas, on February 5, 2018. The store is located off New Davis Road and U.S. Highway 75. The store opened on April 29, 2019.[21] [22]

Expansion outside Texas

On March 8, 2016, Buc-ee's announced a possible first location outside of the state of Texas would be located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.[23] The location was expected to open in early 2017; however, on October 4, 2016, Buc-ee's announced that the plans for the Baton Rouge location had been terminated.[24] [25]

On April 12, 2017, Buc-ee's announced that it would open its first convenience store/gas station outside of Texas in Daytona Beach, Florida.[26] Construction began in summer 2018.[27] However, delays in the project pushed the construction date to sometime in 2021. Since the announcement of the Daytona Beach location, Buc-ee's also announced a new location to be built near St. Augustine, Florida.[28] The St. Augustine location opened first on February 23, 2021, and the Daytona location opened on March 22, 2021.[29]

Locations

As of July 2024, Buc-ee's has 50 active locations across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee, Colorado, and Texas.[30] In January 2024, the company announced the opening of its first location in North Carolina.[31]

StateLocations
Texas35
Alabama4
Florida2
Georgia2
Tennessee2
Kentucky2
Missouri1
South Carolina1
Colorado1

Products and services

Food

All travel center locations include a bakery, brisket and fudge bar, snack aisle, soda, coffee, and Icee station. Locations also feature walls lined with various candy and beef jerky flavors to purchase, including a beef jerky bar. Product offerings include cookies, kolaches, and pastries in the bakery, BBQ brisket sandwiches, breakfast tacos/sandwiches at the brisket bar, along with cold-cut wraps and sandwiches. Packaged cups of fruit and vegetables can be purchased as well. Locations also house packaged general snack foods, ice cream and Dippin' Dots, water, soda, energy drinks, and alcohol. The company has produced many of its own original snack foods, the most notable of which is "Beaver Nuggets" (flavored corn puff snacks), the company's best-selling product.[32] [33] [34]

Souvenirs and general merchandise

Besides food and drink, the company also offers a variety of general and regional-based souvenirs, including apparel and artwork. The chain carries its own clothing brand, ranging from t-shirts to hats, pants, plushies, swimwear, and blankets. Stores also carry general kitchen goods, including cast iron skillets, food containers, mugs, glassware, cookbooks, coolers, and thermoses, among others. General travel products are sold as well, along with phone accessories. Various locations also sell hunting gear and equipment alongside outdoor products such as grills and firepits.[35]

Fuel

All Buc-ee's travel centers include 80 to 120 gas pumps, with fuel offerings ranging from unleaded to diesel. Some stores include ethanol-free fuel and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) as well.[36]

Tesla Superchargers

In November 2021, CleanTechnica reported that Tesla would be opening Superchargers at 26 Buc-ee's locations in 7 states.[37], there were operational Superchargers at more than half of the planned locations, including in Alabama (Leeds, and Robertsdale); Florida (St. Augustine); South Carolina (Florence); Tennessee (Crossville); and Texas (Bastrop, Baytown, Ennis, Giddings, Katy, Madisonville, Melissa, New Braunfels, and Wharton).[38] Since then, more Superchargers have been added into more locations, such as in Colorado (Berthoud); Florida (Daytona Beach); Georgia (Adalrsville and Fort Valley); Kentucky (Richmond); Tennessee (Kodak); and Texas (Denton, Fort Worth, Luling, Pearland, Royse City, Temple, Terrell, and Waller).[39]

Car washes

As of July 2024, Buc-ee's has car washes available at ten of their locations, with seven in the state of Texas, one in Alabama, one in Tennessee, and one in Florida.[40] The longest of these, located in Katy, Texas, holds the record for the longest car wash in the world at 255feet of conveyor.[41]

Litigation

In recent years, during the company's rapidly growing success, Buc-ee's has filed numerous lawsuits against other convenience store chains, most of them based in Texas, for trademark and trade dress infringement.

In 2014, Buc-ee's filed a lawsuit against Texas-based convenience store chain "Frio Beaver".[42] Frio Beaver, a company with a logo also depicting a beaver in a yellow circle with a black outline, was accused of copying the iconic Buc-ee's beaver head logo, which the company is widely known for in Texas. The case was settled out of court in December 2014; B&B Grocery Inc. agreed to stop using the "Frio Beaver" logo and mascot.[43]

In 2016, Buc-ee's sued "Choke Canyon BBQ", another Texas convenience store, for copyright infringement and trade dressing.[44] Choke Canyon uses a logo of a grinning alligator in the middle of a yellow circle, which Buc-ee's claims is an attempt by the chain to resemble the Buc-ee's logo. Choke Canyon is also calling their new stores "Bucky's".[45] Choke Canyon lost the federal lawsuit in May 2018 with Choke Canyon changing their logo to a cowboy inside of an orange circle.[46]

In 2017, Buc-ee's again filed a lawsuit for breaking an agreement, this time against a Nebraska-based convenience store chain known as "Bucky's".[47] The two companies had agreed to remain in their respective states and expand only to states where the other did not operate. The lawsuit was thrown out.[48]

There was also a non-logo related lawsuit filed in 2013 against "Chicks", a convenience store located in Bryan, Texas, for trade dressing by allegedly copying Buc-ee's mega convenience store designs and layout.[49] The case was settled out of court.[42]

Buc-ee's also lost a Texas Employee Retention Agreement case on an appeal in 2017. A year after a trial court ordered a former employee to pay Buc-ee's close to $100,000 in damages and attorney's fees for breaching a "Retention Agreement," a Texas court of appeals reversed the decision and ordered that Buc-ee's take nothing on its claims against the former employee. The court reasoned that the contract violated Texas' employment-at-will doctrine and did not meet the Texas non-compete agreement requirements, so it was not enforceable.[50]

In 2023, crossover artwork of the Buc-ee's beaver and Hatsune Miku was trending on Twitter. An Austin, Texas-based artist claimed responsibility for creating "Bucsune Miku". In response, Buc-ee's sent the artist a cease and desist letter regarding the stickers and use of the beaver logo. The artist subsequently announced they would no longer furnish the stickers via their shop, nor as a gift for supporting their work via tipping.[51]

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Locations - Buc-ee's . December 11, 2023 . December 11, 2023 . Buc-ee . the Beaver . December 12, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231212163107/https://buc-ees.com/locations/ . live .
  2. Web site: February 26, 2012 . Made In Texas: The Buc-ee's Success Story . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150623095638/http://www.texasmonthly.com/story/sponsor-content-bucees-success-story . June 23, 2015 . June 4, 2015 . TexasMonthly.com.
  3. Web site: Archived copy . April 4, 2024 . April 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240403025758/https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/buc-ees-officially-coming-to-benton/91-5eca3963-e8a0-4cbf-9a17-b3ce00b5e7e9 . live .
  4. Web site: Gutierrez . Nicole . Buc-ee's is officially coming to Arizona; here’s what we know about the Texan travel center . . 12 April 2024 . en . 13 March 2024 . April 9, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240409131146/https://www.abc15.com/entertainment/events/buc-ees-is-officially-coming-to-arizona-heres-what-we-know-about-the-texan-travel-center . live .
  5. News: Franke . Eric . Texas-sized travel center: Another "Buc-ee" is coming to Wisconsin . April 23, 2024 . . November 9, 2023 . April 23, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240423200049/https://www.channel3000.com/lifestyle/food/texas-sized-travel-center-another-buc-ee-is-coming-to-wisconsin/article_f2ccee68-7f74-11ee-87d3-7f33c33d641b.html . live .
  6. Web site: Shafiq . Saman and Powell, James . Buc-ee's largest store location to open in Texas next month: 'Where the legend began' . usatoday.com . USA Today . 10 June 2024.
  7. Web site: Fanning . Timothy . 2022-11-04 . 'Does Buc-ee's sell condoms?': 9 frequently asked questions about the Texas chain . https://web.archive.org/web/20230328165644/https://www.expressnews.com/business/article/buc-ees-frequently-asked-questions-17558237.php . dead . 2023-03-28 . 2023-02-22 . San Antonio Express-News . en-US.
  8. Web site: How Buc-ee's Became The Most Popular Convenience Store In Texas . 2023-02-22 . Southern Living . en . February 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230222230114/https://www.southernliving.com/travel/texas/bucees-gas-station-history . live .
  9. Web site: 2023-01-31 . Survey finds Buc-ee's the nation's second favorite gas station chain . 2023-02-22 . KXAN Austin . en-US . February 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230222230113/https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/survey-finds-buc-ees-the-nations-second-favorite-gas-station-chain/ . live .
  10. Web site: February 9, 2023 . Buc-ee's ranked second-best gas station chain, survey says Who's No. 1? . 2023-02-22 . khou.com . en-US.
  11. Web site: Price . Shepard . 2023-02-06 . Buc-ee's is the second-best gas station in the U.S., survey finds . 2023-02-22 . San Antonio Express-News . en-US . February 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230222230113/https://www.expressnews.com/news/texas/article/buc-ees-gas-station-survey-17766689.php . live .
  12. Web site: Cohen . Jason . 2012-11-20 . New Braunfels Buc-ee's Scores "America's Best Restroom" Title . 2023-02-22 . Texas Monthly . en . February 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230222230114/https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-culture/new-braunfels-buc-ees-scores-americas-best-restroom-title/ . live .
  13. News: Elizabeth . Abrahamsen . 10 Things You Didn't Know About Buc-ee's . Wide Open Country . August 11, 2018 . August 11, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180811200859/https://www.wideopencountry.com/10-things-didnt-know-buc-ees/ . live .
  14. Web site: The History of Ipana . buckybeaver.ca . August 11, 2018 . September 30, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180930053240/http://www.buckybeaver.ca/ipana.php . live .
  15. Web site: Benson . Eric . Buc-ee's: The Path to World Domination . . March 2019 . July 9, 2019 . July 4, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190704033414/https://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/buc-ees-the-path-to-world-domination/ . live .
  16. News: Roadside Stopper: Can Something Be Too Big in Texas? . The Wall Street Journal . Miguel . Bustillo . September 12, 2012 . July 9, 2018 . June 13, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180613084529/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390444914904577623862863808508?mod=ITP_AHED . live .
  17. Web site: Shafiq . Saman and Powell, James . Buc-ee's largest store location to open in Texas next month: 'Where the legend began' . usatoday.com . USA Today . 10 June 2024.
  18. Web site: Buc-ee's New Braunfels Bathroom is America's Best - EON: Enhanced Online News . businesswire.com . April 26, 2018 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130823223027/http://eon.businesswire.com/news/eon/20121119006387/en/Buc-ee%E2%80%99s/Liberty-Market/Radisson-Blu-Aqua-Hotel . August 23, 2013 .
  19. PEDC Welcomes Buc-ee's to Pearland . Pearland Economic Development Corporation . September 17, 2015 . August 11, 2018 . August 12, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180812024445/http://www.pearlandedc.com/Media-Center/Press-Releases/PEDC-Welcomes-Buc-ee%E2%80%99s-to-Pearland.aspx . dead .
  20. Web site: Cokely . Kevin . Buc-ee's Fort Worth to Open Monday | NBC 5 Dallas–Fort Worth . Nbcdfw.com . May 19, 2016 . June 27, 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160627225647/http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/business/Buc-ees-Fort-Worth-to-Open-Monday--380195961.html . June 27, 2016 .
  21. Web site: Melissa Buc-ee's officially opens . Smith . Stan . kxii.com . en . April 28, 2020 . April 30, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190430161032/https://www.kxii.com/content/news/Melissa-Buc-ees-officially-opens-509216551.html . live .
  22. Web site: Buc-ee's breaks ground in Melissa . kxii.com . KXII-TV . April 26, 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180219090850/http://www.kxii.com/content/news/Buc-ees-breaks-ground-in-Melissa--473417393.html . February 19, 2018 .
  23. News: Timothy . Boone . Popular Buc-ee's convenience store chain coming to Baton Rouge . Baton Rouge Advocate . March 12, 2016 . August 11, 2018 . August 11, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180811230124/https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/business/article_72c316b8-0ae5-5b10-ac17-12cf53db63b0.html . live .
  24. News: Timothy . Boone . Buc-ee's drops plans for Baton Rouge location, citing 'critical mass' . Baton Rouge Advocate . October 4, 2016 . August 11, 2018 . August 11, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180811200342/https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/entertainment_life/food_restaurants/article_f401afaa-8a83-11e6-b484-1f38cf7371dd.html . live .
  25. News: Popular convenience store Buc-ee's pulls out of plans for Louisiana location . . August 11, 2018 . August 11, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180811201109/https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/popular-convenience-store-buc-ees-pulls-out-of-plans-for-louisiana-location/329065386 . live .
  26. News: Texas-sized Buc-ee's to put 1st Florida gas station in Daytona . . Park . Clayton . April 12, 2017 . April 13, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170414171510/http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/20170412/texas-sized-buc-ees-to-put-1st-florida-gas-station-in-daytona . April 14, 2017 .
  27. Web site: Daytona Buc-ee's mega convenience store to start construction by summer . June 27, 2018 . June 28, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180628015704/http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/20180314/daytona-buc-ees-mega-convenience-store-to-start-construction-by-summer . live .
  28. News: Korfhage . Stuart . Buc-ee's in Daytona, St. Augustine still on track . June 25, 2019 . Daytona Beach News-Journal . February 26, 2019 . June 25, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190625225905/https://www.news-journalonline.com/news/20190226/buc-ees-in-daytona-st-augustine-still-on-track . live .
  29. News: Park . Clayton . Signs go up for Daytona Buc-ee's as opening draws nearer . January 28, 2021 . The Daytona Beach New-Journal . January 27, 2021 . January 27, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210127193214/https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/business/real-estate/2021/01/27/signs-go-up-buc-ees-daytona-opening-draws-closer/4277294001/ . live .
  30. Web site: Locations . July 2, 2024. Buc-ees . en-US . July 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240702220920/https://buc-ees.com/locations/ . live.
  31. Web site: 2024-01-09 . A Buc-ee's is coming to NC, city council approves 75,000 square-foot station in Mebane, NC . 2024-01-09 . WRAL News . en-US . January 9, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240109174400/https://www.wral.com/amp/21227178/ . live .
  32. Web site: Gullion . John . 2022-11-22 . What is the best food at Buc-ee's? 17 snacks, ranked . 2023-02-22 . TheSmokies.com . en-US . February 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230222230114/https://www.thesmokies.com/best-food-at-buc-ees/ . live .
  33. Web site: Gabby . 2020-08-25 . All the Best Things to Buy at Buc-ee's: The Complete Guide . 2023-02-22 . The Office Escape Artist . en-US . February 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230222230114/https://www.officeescapeartist.com/travel-blog/best-items-buc-ees/ . live .
  34. Web site: 2022-08-08 . 14 Best Buc-ee's Menu Items to Try - Restaurant Clicks . 2023-02-22 . en-US . February 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230222230114/https://restaurantclicks.com/best-buc-ees-menu-items/ . live .
  35. Web site: Craig . Stephanie . admin . 2021-07-01 . 50 Things to Buy at Buc-ee's: The Best Buc-ee's Souvenirs & Snack Food! . 2023-02-22 . History Fangirl . en-US . February 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230222230114/https://historyfangirl.com/best-things-to-buy-at-buc-ees-souvenirs-snacks-food-gifts/ . live .
  36. Web site: Buc-ee's Fuel . 2023-02-22 . Buc-ees . en-US . February 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230222230115/https://buc-ees.com/about/buc-ees-fuel/ . live .
  37. Web site: Crider . Johnna . 2021-11-18 . Tesla & Buc-ee's Plans For Superchargers Span 26 Stores In 7 States . 2023-02-18 . CleanTechnica . en-US . February 18, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230218191609/https://cleantechnica.com/2021/11/18/tesla-buc-ees-plans-for-superchargers-span-26-stores-in-7-states/ . live .
  38. Web site: US Tesla Superchargers . February 18, 2023 . February 18, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230218194619/https://www.tesla.com/findus/list/superchargers/United%20States . live .
  39. Web site: Locations . 2023-02-18 . Buc-ees . en-US . February 18, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230218191607/https://buc-ees.com/locations/ . live .
  40. Web site: Locations . 2023-02-22 . Buc-ees . en-US . February 18, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230218191607/https://buc-ees.com/locations/ . live .
  41. Web site: World Record Holder . 2023-02-22 . Buc-ees . en-US . February 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230222234621/https://buc-ees.com/about/world-record-holder/ . live .
  42. Web site: Beaver wars: Buc-ee's takes on rival store in Beaver logo dispute . Houston Chronicle . July 16, 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170729051909/http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/texas/article/Buc-ees-sues-rival-Texas-convenience-store-5625832.php . July 29, 2017 .
  43. Web site: Buc-ee's Beats the 'Frio Beaver' . July 2, 2014 . cspdailynews.com . July 3, 2022 . July 3, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220703221720/https://www.cspdailynews.com/company-news/buc-ees-beats-frio-beaver . live .
  44. Web site: Buc-ee's is suing a rival chain for copying its beaver logo - All Ablog Austin . statesman.com .
  45. Web site: Bucky's Express . May 23, 2018 . May 24, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180524003834/http://www.buckysexpress.com/location/houston . dead .
  46. Web site: Buc-ee's wins logo case against Choke Canyon BBQ . news4sanantonio.com . May 22, 2018 .
  47. Web site: Buc-ee's sues Bucky's for trying to expand into Texas . Houston Chronicle . March 16, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170729091530/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/Buc-ee-s-sues-long-time-rival-for-expansion-to-11005165.php . July 29, 2017 .
  48. Web site: Nebraska beats Texas: Bucky's defeats Buc-ee's in court fight over convenience stores' similar names . Omaha World-Herald . November 28, 2018 . August 22, 2023 . August 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230822075132/https://omaha.com/money/nebraska-beats-texas-buckys-defeats-buc-ees-in-court-fight-over-convenience-stores-similar-names/article_7036b784-a0d9-574a-be52-fb18fef8bc1b.html . live .
  49. Web site: Chicks Hatching Plot to Be Like Buc-ee's? . cspdailynews.com . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170729091237/http://www.cspdailynews.com/industry-news-analysis/corporate-news/articles/chicks-hatching-plot-be-buc-ees . July 29, 2017 .
  50. Web site: Buc-ee's Loses Texas Retention Agreement Case . texasemploymentlawblog.com . April 26, 2018 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180426021235/https://www.texasemploymentlawblog.com/main/2018/1/3/buc-ees-loses-texas-retention-agreement-case . April 26, 2018 .
  51. Web site: Texas artist warned for creating Buc-ee's x Hatsune Miku crossover . www.mysanantonio.com . June 8, 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230608161659/https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/bucees-hatsune-miku-crossover-18137673.php . June 8, 2023 .