Buc-ee's to Open 6 Locations in 6 States. See When and Where

 Buc-ee's to Open 6 Locations in 6 States. See When and Where

## Introduction: The Beaver Is on the Move

There's a moment in every road trip when the billboards start. First, they're sparse—just a glimpse of that smiling beaver in the distance. Then they multiply. Every few miles, another promise of the world's cleanest restrooms and 120 fueling stations. By the time you're within 50 miles, the anticipation has become its own form of recreation.

Buc-ee's isn't just a gas station. It's a destination. A pilgrimage site. A 74,000-square-foot temple to brisket sandwiches and Beaver Nuggets that has inspired a cult-like following across the American South and beyond.

Now, the beaver is expanding its territory.

On August 17, 2026, Buc-ee's opened its 58th location in Benton, Arkansas—the chain's first foray into the Natural State . The opening is just the beginning of a massive expansion that will bring the beloved Texas-based travel center to six new states by the end of 2027, including Louisiana, Kansas, Wisconsin, and beyond .

Here's everything you need to know about where Buc-ee's is headed next—and why the beaver's relentless march across America is stirring up more than just excitement for clean bathrooms and brisket.

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## The 2026 Expansion: What's Already Happened

### Ohio and Arizona: Breaking New Ground

2026 has been a banner year for Buc-ee's expansion.

In April, the company opened its first Ohio location in Huber Heights . It marked the chain's entry into the Midwest and was met with the kind of enthusiasm that only Buc-ee's can generate. Hundreds of people lined up hours before the store officially opened its doors, eager to be among the first to experience the 75,000-square-foot travel center .

Then came Arizona. On June 22, 2026, Buc-ee's opened its first location in Goodyear, near Interstate 10 and Bullard Avenue . The 74,000-square-foot store with 120 fueling stations brought the Buc-ee's experience to the desert Southwest for the first time . City officials celebrated the arrival, noting that Arizona had the "economic momentum" and strong workforce to support the massive travel center .

### Benton, Arkansas: The 58th Location

On August 17, 2026, Buc-ee's opened its first Arkansas location in Benton . The 74,000-square-foot store, located near Interstate 30 and Highway 299, features 120 fueling stations and is expected to bring more than 200 jobs to the city . Starting wages are "well above minimum wage," according to the company, though they haven't specified an exact figure .

The opening was a major moment for the region. As the Chairman of the City of Benton Advertising and Promotion Commission noted, the grand opening was expected "early to mid-August," and it delivered right on schedule .

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## The 2027 Lineup: Six States, Six New Locations

The Benton opening is just the beginning. Buc-ee's has announced plans to open locations in at least six new states by the end of 2027, significantly expanding its national footprint . Here's the full lineup:

### Ruston, Louisiana — 2027

Louisiana is finally getting its first Buc-ee's. The Ruston location, planned near Interstate 20, is targeting a mid-2027 opening . The store will feature the chain's standard oversized setup with well over 100 fueling spots and a sprawling convenience store . Another Louisiana location in Lafayette is also planned for 2028 .

### Kansas City, Kansas — 2027

Kansas City, Kansas, is next in line for its first Buc-ee's. Plans for the travel center include another roughly 74,000-square-foot location near Interstate 70 and West Village Parkway . The opening is expected sometime in 2027 . Residents should probably prepare for traffic, brisket lines, and at least one family member suddenly becoming emotionally attached to beaver merchandise .

### Gallaway, Tennessee — 2027

Tennessee is already home to the world's largest gas station—a Buc-ee's in Sevierville that holds the record . Now, the state is getting another location in Gallaway, scheduled to open in 2027 .

### St. Lucie, Florida — 2027

Florida's Buc-ee's presence is growing. The St. Lucie location is slated for 2027 , joining existing locations in the Sunshine State. Additional Florida locations in Tallahassee and Ocala are planned for 2028 and 2029, respectively .

### Boerne, Texas — 2027

Even in its home state of Texas, Buc-ee's isn't slowing down. The company plans to open another location in Boerne in 2027 . The chain currently has 37 locations in Texas, with more on the way .

### Monroe County, Georgia — 2027

Georgia is getting its first new Buc-ee's location in Monroe County, scheduled for 2027 . The state already has a Buc-ee's presence, but the Monroe County location will expand the chain's footprint in the Peach State.

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## The Pipeline: 2028 and Beyond

Buc-ee's isn't stopping at six new states. The company's contact page lists a pipeline of locations stretching through 2031 :

| Year | Location |

|------|----------|

| 2028 | Mebane, North Carolina |

| 2028 | Lafayette, Louisiana |

| 2029 | Ocala, Florida |

| 2029 | West Memphis, Arkansas |

| 2029 | Oak Grove, Kentucky |

| 2031 | Hardeeville, South Carolina |

North Carolina is getting its first Buc-ee's location in Mebane at the end of 2027, according to some reports . Wisconsin's first location is also planned for Oak Creek in early 2027 , while Indiana is in the very early stages of getting its first store .

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## Why Buc-ee's Matters: The Cult of the Beaver

### The Buck-toothed Mascot That Conquered America

Buc-ee's was founded in 1982 in Texas . Over four decades, it has become one of the Lone Star State's most recognized exports . The sprawling gas stations have a cult-like following centered on their preternaturally clean restrooms and unique culinary offerings .

What makes Buc-ee's special isn't just the size—though the stores are undeniably massive. It's the experience. The 120 gas pumps. The 74,000 square feet of retail space. The brisket sandwiches that have achieved near-mythical status. The Beaver Nuggets—a sweet, caramel-coated corn snack that has become the chain's signature item. The clean restrooms that have won awards and inspired countless road trip detours .

### The Numbers That Matter

Buc-ee's has grown from a single Texas location to more than **58 stores across 13 states** . The company has been awarded the best restrooms in the country for convenience stores and boasts the record for the largest gas station in the world at its Sevierville, Tennessee, location . The world's largest convenience store is also a Buc-ee's, with over 100 gas pumps and 75,000 square feet of space .

### The Economic Impact

Every new Buc-ee's location brings significant economic benefits to its community. The Benton, Arkansas, location alone is expected to bring more than 200 jobs to the city . The Goodyear, Arizona, store created hundreds of jobs and drew thousands of customers to its opening ceremony .

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## The Controversy: Lawsuits and Backlash

### The Beaver's Bite

Not everyone is celebrating Buc-ee's expansion. The company has drawn controversy in recent weeks for a string of lawsuits tied to its trademarks .

Most recently, Buc-ee's sued **Beaver's Mini Mart**, a small corner store in Beavercreek, Ohio, a suburb of Dayton . The mini mart has no gas pumps and is miles from the nearest interstate, but Buc-ee's claims its customers may be confused by the mini mart's logo, which features a smiling beaver standing next to the store's name in a red-letter font .

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has called the lawsuit "ridiculous" and said Buc-ee's should drop it . John Oliver, host of HBO's "Last Week Tonight," dedicated a segment to Buc-ee's penchant for suing small businesses whose logos feature cartoon animals, even when they bear very little or no resemblance to Buc-ee's famous—and trademarked—grinning beaver logo .

Oliver dared the company to sue him over the launch of a line of satirical merchandise labeled "Buc-Off," with proceeds going to charity . The apparel features a squirrel logo that mirrors the Buc-ee's logo. "If any prominent gas station chain out there has an issue with our new logo and products and wants to get lawyers involved, then you know what? Bring it the f--- on," Oliver said . The apparel will remain available until the lawsuit against Beaver's Mini Mart is resolved .

### The Expansion Dilemma

The lawsuits highlight a tension at the heart of Buc-ee's expansion. The company is beloved by fans for its clean bathrooms and quality food, but its aggressive legal strategy has alienated some of the very communities it's entering. As the beaver marches across America, it's leaving a trail of both excitement and controversy.

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## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

### 1. Which states are getting their first Buc-ee's locations in 2026 and 2027?

Buc-ee's is entering six new states:

- **Arizona** (Goodyear) — opened June 22, 2026

- **Arkansas** (Benton) — opened August 17, 2026

- **Wisconsin** (Oak Creek) — early 2027

- **Louisiana** (Ruston) — mid-2027

- **Kansas** (Kansas City) — 2027

- **North Carolina** (Mebane) — end of 2027

### 2. Where is Buc-ee's opening next in 2026?

The next confirmed opening is in **Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on November 16, 2026** .

### 3. What are the future locations planned beyond 2027?

Future locations include Mebane, North Carolina (2028), Lafayette, Louisiana (2028), Ocala, Florida (2029), West Memphis, Arkansas (2029), Oak Grove, Kentucky (2029), and Hardeeville, South Carolina (2031) .

### 4. How big are Buc-ee's travel centers?

Newer Buc-ee's locations typically occupy **74,000 square feet** with **120 fueling stations** . The world's largest Buc-ee's is in Sevierville, Tennessee.

### 5. How many Buc-ee's locations are there?

As of August 2026, there are **58 Buc-ee's locations** across 13 states .

### 6. Why is Buc-ee's controversial?

Buc-ee's has faced backlash for its aggressive trademark enforcement, including lawsuits against small businesses with beaver-themed logos. Most recently, it sued Beaver's Mini Mart in Ohio, prompting criticism from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and a satirical response from HBO's John Oliver .

### 7. What is Buc-ee's known for?

Buc-ee's is famous for its **clean restrooms**, **brisket sandwiches**, **Beaver Nuggets**, **120 gas pumps**, and **massive 74,000-square-foot stores** . It has been awarded the best restrooms in the country for convenience stores .

### 8. Does Buc-ee's pay well?

Buc-ee's says its starting wages are "well above minimum wage," though the exact figure hasn't been specified .

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## Conclusion: The Beaver's Relentless March

Buc-ee's expansion is a testament to the power of a simple idea executed exceptionally well. Clean bathrooms, good food, and an experience that transcends the typical gas station stop have turned a Texas convenience store into a national phenomenon.

The 2026 openings in Ohio, Arizona, and Arkansas represent the next phase of that growth. The 2027 locations in Wisconsin, Louisiana, Kansas, and North Carolina will bring the Buc-ee's experience to millions of new customers. And the pipeline stretching through 2031 suggests that the beaver's march across America is far from over.

But expansion comes with challenges. The lawsuits against small businesses have raised questions about whether Buc-ee's can maintain its beloved status while aggressively protecting its brand. The company's legal strategy has drawn criticism from governors, comedians, and the communities it's trying to enter.

For fans, the excitement of a new Buc-ee's opening—the brisket, the Beaver Nuggets, the clean bathrooms—overshadows the controversy. For the small businesses caught in the beaver's legal crosshairs, the experience is different.

Either way, Buc-ee's is coming to a state near you. And if the lines at the Goodyear, Arizona, opening are any indication—hundreds of people waiting hours before the doors opened—the beaver's appeal shows no signs of fading.

The road trip just got a lot more interesting.

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## Disclaimer

*This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Opening dates, locations, and company plans are based on publicly available information and may be subject to change. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Buc-ee's, its affiliates, or any other entity mentioned. For the most current information on store openings and locations, please consult the official Buc-ee's website or contact the company directly.*