This Cult-Favorite Southern Chain Might Be Opening Locations Near You

Finding a convenient place to stop to stretch your legs on a road trip isn’t always easy, but there’s one popular convenience store chain that’s more of a destination than a stopover.

Hailing from the Lone Star State, Buc-ee’s has expanded to over 40 stores since its first location opened near Lake Jackson in 1982. The gas station and country-style convenience store has a loyal following of fans thanks to its large store layout, plentiful gas pumps and notoriously clean restrooms. In fact, Buc-ee’s bathrooms are so clean that one of its locations holds the 2012 title for Cinta’s “Cleanest Restroom in America.”

Although the chain began in Texas, it has since expanded to include stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina and Tennessee. So where else is Buc-ee’s expanding? Here’s why you may expect to see a Buc-ee’s store spring up near you.

Where is Buc-ee’s expanding?

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According to CSP, a convenience store and petroleum retailer news publication, Buc-ee’s began its large-scale expansion in 2022 and will continue through 2026. In 2022, the convenience chain opened three stores in Crossville, Tennessee; Richmond, Kentucky; and Florence, South Carolina, which kicked off the multi-state expansion.

More stores are coming to cities in Alabama, Colorado, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee—but it isn’t set to happen overnight.

Here is the full list of new Buc-ee’s stores set to open:

• Athens, Alabama
• Auburn, Alabama
• Johnstown, Colorado
• Smiths Grove, Kentucky
• Harrison County, Mississippi
• Anderson, South Carolina
• Sevierville, Tennessee
• Boerne, Texas
• Hillsboro, Texas

When will the new stores be opening?

With new Buc-ee’s stores on the horizon, you may be wondering how soon it’ll take for your closest location to open. Whether you’re looking forward to Buc-ee’s huge inventory of snacks and tourist fare or the fact that it will offer cheap gas near you, you’ll want to mark your calendar. Unfortunately, building and opening new store locations takes time, so you may have to wait until as late as 2026, depending on where you live.

But luckily, four of these new Buc-ee’s stores are scheduled to come in sometime in 2023. These include:

• Athens, Alabama, 2023
• Auburn, Alabama, 2023
• Smiths Grove, Kentucky, 2023
• Sevierville, Tennessee, 2023

Here are the remaining opening dates for other store locations:

• Johnstown, Colorado, 2024
• Harrison County, Mississippi, 2025
• Boerne, Texas, 2025
• Hillsboro, Texas, 2025
• Anderson, South Carolina, 2026

Ever wonder how your favorite stores got their names? According to CBS, Buc-ee’s received its Beaver mascot and name thanks to its founder, Arch Alpin III, whose mother called him “Beaver” as a childhood nickname.

Remember to add Buc-ee’s to your must-see list when planning which states to road trip through.

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Sources:

• CSP: Buc-ee’s Expanding to More States
• Cintas America’s Best Bathroom Award: Hall of Fame
• CBS Sunday Morning: Welcome to Buc-ee’s