Buc-ee's Arkansas Location Opens with 200 Jobs

The beaver-branded travel center chain Buc-ee’s opened its first Arkansas location in Benton on August 17, drawing hundreds of enthusiastic customers who began lining up hours before the 6 a.m. opening. The massive 74,000-square-foot facility represents the company’s 58th location nationwide and continues the Texas-based chain’s aggressive expansion beyond its home state stomping grounds.

The Benton location at 1400 Arkansas 229 and Interstate 30 features 120 fueling stations and brings more than 200 jobs to the city, according to a company news release. Buc-ee’s stated that starting wages for employees are “well above minimum wage” but did not specify the exact hourly rate, maintaining the company’s practice of keeping compensation details private while emphasizing competitive pay.

A cheering crowd of Buc-ee’s enthusiasts greeted the store’s opening, with many customers arriving hours before dawn to secure their spot in line. Kim Skorcz, a customer eager to purchase the chain’s famous brisket sandwiches and beaver nuggets, expressed excitement about the long-awaited opening, noting that she had been waiting weeks for this moment and was particularly interested in finding a Buc-ee’s statue to take home.

Superfans Travel From Across the South

The grand opening attracted dedicated fans from far beyond the local Benton area, demonstrating the cult-like following the travel center chain has cultivated. Belinda Kock drove from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, arriving at 4:30 a.m. to attend what she called her fifth Buc-ee’s grand opening, having started planning the trip six months in advance.

“I’m a huge Buc-ee’s fan. Buc-ee’s banana pudding and coffee are the best breakfast you could ever eat,” Kock said.

Little Rock resident Parker Kolstad arrived wearing a Buc-ee’s onesie, joining several other customers who appeared covered from head to toe in branded attire. After waiting in line for an hour, Kolstad said he was hungry for a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich, which he described as his favorite Buc-ee’s snack, adding that he felt ecstatic about the electric atmosphere surrounding the opening.

Nancy and Richard Velting drove from Mena before spending the night in Hot Springs, arriving just in time for the opening after having visited seven previous Buc-ee’s locations in Texas, Colorado, and other states. The couple expressed surprise at the store’s size and discovered several items they had never seen before, including the brisket taco.

Couple Seeks Beaver Mascot for Wedding

In what may be one of the more unusual grand opening missions, Brody Baumann and Marci Clayton waited outside since 4:30 a.m. with a large poster board announcing their June 2027 wedding date. The couple came with a specific goal in mind: convincing the Buc-ee’s beaver mascot to attend their upcoming nuptials, demonstrating the passionate devotion the brand inspires among its customer base.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. drew notable political figures, including Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, U.S. Representative French Hill, U.S. Senator Tom Cotton, and Benton Mayor Tom Farmer, underscoring the economic significance local and state officials attach to the major retail development.

Aggressive National Expansion Plans

Buc-ee’s opened its first locations in Ohio and Arizona this year, continuing a rapid expansion that has seen the company move far beyond its Texas origins. The travel center chain opened its first Virginia location in 2025 and debuted in Colorado a year earlier, building momentum as it pushes into new regional markets across the country.

The company anticipates adding inaugural locations in Louisiana, Kansas, and Wisconsin by the end of 2027, according to company announcements. Crissy Gonzales, Buc-ee’s media coordinator, confirmed that the Murfreesboro, Tennessee location will open on November 16, giving the company another foothold in the Southeast region.

Planned Locations Through 2031

The company’s contact page lists numerous future locations without specific grand opening dates, including sites planned for 2027 in Ruston, Louisiana, Kansas City, Kansas, Gallaway, Tennessee, St. Lucie, Florida, Boerne, Texas, and Monroe County, Georgia. Additional locations scheduled for 2028 include Mebane, North Carolina and Lafayette, Louisiana, demonstrating the company’s commitment to saturating key travel corridors across multiple states.

Looking further ahead, Buc-ee’s plans locations in Ocala, Florida, West Memphis, Arkansas, and Oak Grove, Kentucky for 2029, with a Hardeeville, South Carolina location targeted for 2031. The aggressive timeline reflects the company’s confidence in its business model and the strong demand it has generated across regional markets.

Building a Cult Following

The travel center chain, founded in 1982, has become one of the Lone Star State’s most recognized exports, building a devoted following centered on preternaturally clean restrooms and unique culinary offerings. The sprawling gas stations have transcended their utilitarian purpose to become destination stops that attract visitors willing to drive hours and wait in long lines for the distinctive Buc-ee’s experience.

Signature food items such as brisket sandwiches, beaver nuggets, banana pudding, and freshly made breakfast sandwiches have helped Buc-ee’s differentiate itself from conventional travel centers and gas stations. The company’s emphasis on cleanliness, particularly its restrooms, has become legendary among travelers and represents a key competitive advantage in attracting customers who might otherwise choose alternative stops along major interstate highways.

Trademark Controversy Emerges

Buc-ee’s has drawn controversy in recent weeks for a string of lawsuits tied to its trademarks, with the company aggressively defending its beaver-themed branding. Most recently, the chain sued Beaver’s Mini Mart, a small corner store located in a neighborhood in Beavercreek, Ohio, a suburb of Dayton, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer.

Despite the mini mart having no gas pumps and being miles from the nearest interstate, Buc-ee’s claims its customers may be confused by the store’s logo, which features a smiling beaver standing tall next to the name in red-letter font. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine publicly called on Buc-ee’s to drop its “ridiculous” lawsuit against the small business, escalating the dispute into a public relations challenge for the expanding travel center chain.