History of Buc-ee's in Timeline

Buc-ee's is an American chain of large country stores and gas stations, founded in 1982 by Arch "Beaver" Aplin III and headquartered in Lake Jackson, Texas. Known for its exceptionally clean restrooms, wide array of snacks, food, and merchandise, and numerous gas pumps, Buc-ee's began as a single store in Clute, Texas, expanding to travel centers starting in 2003. Since 2018, the company has expanded beyond Texas, opening locations in ten states and planning further expansion into ten more.

1982: First Buc-ee's Store Opens

In 1982, Arch "Beaver" Aplin partnered in opening the first store named "Buc-ee's" in Clute, Texas, deriving the name from his nickname, his dog Buck, and the Ipana toothpaste mascot.

1982: Buc-ee's Founded

In 1982, the Buc-ee's chain was founded in Clute, Texas, next to Lake Jackson by Arch "Beaver" Aplin III.

2003: First Buc-ee's Travel Center

In 2003, Buc-ee's established its first travel center in Luling, Texas, south of Austin.

2012: Award for "Best Restroom in America"

In 2012, Buc-ee's won the Cintas award for "Best Restroom in America", gaining significant acclaim for its bathroom cleanliness.

2013: Lawsuit Against Chicks

In 2013, Buc-ee's filed a lawsuit against "Chicks", a convenience store in Bryan, Texas, for allegedly copying Buc-ee's store designs and layout; the case was settled out of court.

December 2014: Settlement with Frio Beaver

In December 2014, Buc-ee's settled a lawsuit out of court with "Frio Beaver", a convenience store chain accused of copying Buc-ee's beaver head logo. B&B Grocery Inc. agreed to stop using the "Frio Beaver" logo and mascot.

June 22, 2015: First Dallas-Fort Worth Buc-ee's Opens

On June 22, 2015, the first Buc-ee's in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex opened in Terrell, Texas, west of the Shops at Terrell on Interstate 20.

September 2015: Corporate Operations Move to Pearland

In September 2015, Buc-ee's announced that part of its corporate operations, including the legal and human resources departments, would move to office space at Pearland Town Center, with the space ready by early 2016.

March 8, 2016: Buc-ee's Announces Baton Rouge Location

On March 8, 2016, Buc-ee's announced plans for its first store outside of Texas in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, expected to open in early 2017.

May 23, 2016: Second DFW Buc-ee's Opens

On May 23, 2016, Buc-ee's opened its second location in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and its 32nd location in Texas, situated in northern Fort Worth across from Texas Motor Speedway.

October 4, 2016: Baton Rouge Location Plans Canceled

On October 4, 2016, Buc-ee's announced the cancellation of its plans for a location in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

2016: Lawsuit Against Choke Canyon BBQ

In 2016, Buc-ee's sued "Choke Canyon BBQ" for copyright infringement and trade dressing, claiming their alligator logo resembled the Buc-ee's logo.

April 12, 2017: First Buc-ee's Outside of Texas

On April 12, 2017, Buc-ee's announced it would open its first convenience store and gas station outside of Texas in Daytona Beach, Florida.

2017: Lawsuit Against Bucky's

In 2017, Buc-ee's filed a lawsuit against the Nebraska-based convenience store chain "Bucky's" for breaking an agreement, but the lawsuit was thrown out.

2017: Employee Retention Agreement Case Lost on Appeal

In 2017, Buc-ee's lost a Texas Employee Retention Agreement case on appeal after a trial court had previously ordered a former employee to pay damages for breaching a retention agreement. The appeals court reversed the decision, finding the contract unenforceable under Texas law.

2017: Baton Rouge store was expected to open

The Baton Rouge Buc-ee's store was expected to open in early 2017, but the plans were cancelled.

February 5, 2018: Buc-ee's Establishes Store in Melissa, TX

On February 5, 2018, Buc-ee's established another store in Melissa, Texas.

May 2018: Choke Canyon Loses Lawsuit

In May 2018, Choke Canyon lost a federal lawsuit filed by Buc-ee's and subsequently changed its logo to a cowboy inside an orange circle.

October 29, 2018: Third DFW Buc-ee's Location Opens

On October 29, 2018, the third Buc-ee's location in the Dallas-Fort Worth area opened in Denton, Texas.

2018: Buc-ee's Expands Outside of Texas

In 2018, Buc-ee's began expanding outside of Texas with the opening of a location in Baldwin County, Alabama. Since then they have expanded into Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, Colorado, Missouri, Mississippi, and Virginia.

2018: Expansion Outside of Texas Begins

In 2018, Buc-ee's began expanding outside of Texas, opening a location in Baldwin County, Alabama.

2018: Construction Begins in Daytona Beach

In the summer of 2018, construction began on the Buc-ee's location in Daytona Beach, Florida, although delays would push the construction date back.

April 29, 2019: Buc-ee's in Melissa, TX Opens

On April 29, 2019, Buc-ee's store in Melissa, Texas officially opened.

2019: Lawsuit Over Gas Prices

In 2019, shortly after Buc-ee's opened their first store in Alabama, the company was sued for "setting unfair pump prices" by selling gasoline for less than the cost to buy and transport it, which is banned under Alabama state law.

February 23, 2021: St. Augustine Location Opens

On February 23, 2021, Buc-ee's opened its St. Augustine, Florida location.

March 22, 2021: Daytona Beach Store Opens

On March 22, 2021, the Buc-ee's store in Daytona Beach, Florida, opened.

November 2021: Tesla Superchargers at Buc-ee's

In November 2021, it was reported that Tesla would be opening Superchargers at 26 Buc-ee's locations in 7 states.

February 2023: Operational Superchargers

As of February 2023, Tesla Superchargers were operational at more than half of the planned Buc-ee's locations, including in Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.

June 26, 2023: Sevierville Buc-ee's Opens

On June 26, 2023, the Buc-ee's in Sevierville, Tennessee opened as the world's largest convenience store, spanning 74,707 square feet.

2023: "Bucsune Miku" Incident

In 2023, crossover artwork of the Buc-ee's beaver and Hatsune Miku trended on Twitter, leading to a cease and desist letter from Buc-ee's to the Austin-based artist, who then withdrew the stickers featuring the "Bucsune Miku" design.

January 2024: First North Carolina Store Announced

In January 2024, Buc-ee's announced the opening of its first store in North Carolina.

June 10, 2024: New Luling Store Becomes Largest Buc-ee's

On June 10, 2024, a new Buc-ee's store in Luling, Texas, opened, replacing the original travel center and becoming the world's largest convenience store at 75,000 square feet.

June 2024: Largest Buc-ee's Location

As of June 2024, the largest Buc-ee's store is located in Luling, Texas.

July 2024: Car Washes Available

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(at the Daytona Beach location). The longest car wash is located in Katy, Texas.