Buc-ee's CEO Signals Expansion Shift Toward Conservative States

Travel center chain Buc-ee's plans to redirect its future expansion efforts away from blue districts and toward conservative states that offer business-friendly environments and family-oriented values, CEO Arch "Beaver" Aplin III announced on August 17.

Aplin, who also serves as president and co-founder of the Texas-based company, shared the strategy shift during the grand opening of the chain's newest location in Benton, Arkansas. The retail giant operates sprawling travel centers known for high-volume fueling stations, pristine restrooms, and extensive food services.

"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.

Highlighting resistance encountered in certain municipalities, Aplin indicated that the corporate leadership intends to focus resources where local government officials align with the business model.

"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.

The CEO emphasized that conservative regions provide political framework and governance structures that complement the operational philosophy of Buc-ee's.

"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.

Points of entry into regions like Benton served as a primary model for this strategic development direction.

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

Established in 1982, Buc-ee's manages 58 operational locations nationwide, with 37 situated in Texas. Their typical footprint spans 74,000 square feet, provides 120 fueling positions, and generates over 200 jobs per location. The chain operates across 13 additional states, including Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia.

While most sites sit in conservative strongholds, exceptions exist in politically competitive environments such as Auburn, Alabama; Brunswick, Georgia; and Goodyear, Arizona. Upcoming locations include Murfreesboro, Tennessee, scheduled for Nov. 16, alongside six planned sites in 2027 and two additional openings slated for 2028 in Mebane, North Carolina, and Lafayette, Louisiana.