But what is it?  Buc-ee’s is a gas station and so much more. “Self-proclaimed as the ‘Disney of convenience stores,’ Buc-ee’s has become a must-stop destination for travelers and locals alike” (Hotbot).  Buc-ee’s offers an experience beyond the traditional gas fill-up, offering everything from specialty snacks and treats, apparel and accessories, Buc-ee’s merchandise and souvenirs, home décor, and kitchenware throughout its 37 locations across Texas, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Florida.  But what Buc-ee’s is most known for is its sparkling clean restrooms. Yes, restrooms.  Buc-ee’s is proud of earning the “Best Rest Stop in America” by Food and Wine magazine as well as the Cintas award for “Best Restroom in America.” 

From its inception in 1982, entrepreneur Arch “Beaver” Aplin had an idea to revolutionize the convenience store experience for travelers. This required an entrepreneurial mindset, creative thinking, and innovation. Aplin’s goal was to create “a unique and memorable convenience store experience for those on the road. His focus on cleanliness, quality products, and exceptional customer service set the foundation for Buc-ee’s success” (Hotpot).  Aplin focused on identifying and exploiting distinctive competencies that he felt were unique and important to travelers.  “That’s the great innovation of Buc-ee’s,” says journalist Eric Benson. “It took this thing people have to do, which is stop on these 200-mile car trips between cities and made it into just a little bit of an experience” (Andrew). To accomplish this, Aplin adopted a Texas-style mentality; that is, he focused on doing things bigger and better.  “One of the most notable features of Buc-ee’s is the sheer number of fueling stations available. Some locations boast over 200 gas pumps, ensuring that visitors can fill up quickly and efficiently. The Sevierville, TN location alone has 120 fueling stations, making it an ideal pit stop for travelers” (Hotbot).   

And then there’s the food.  Aplin’s entrepreneurial vision for Buc-ee’s includes a feast of food options, including made-to-order deli sandwiches, brisket sandwiches, Beaver nuggets, and tacos. Keeping in mind the Texas mentality, Buc-ee’s has its own BBQ pit with food cooked slow over real wood to make sandwiches complete with toppings and sauces. For dessert, there’s candy, jerky, and freshly made fudge prepared daily in-store. Not to be overlooked, the Buc-ee’s experience offers merchandise and souvenirs from t-shirts, hats, mugs, and magnets to home décor and kitchenware such as break boxes and Texas farmhouse-inspired kitchen towels. All of this contributes to the Buc-ee’s experience and serves to differentiate them from competitors.

But what really sets Buc-ee’s apart from its competition is a key component in its business plan: clean restrooms. Buc-ee’s clean restrooms are advertised on billboards and made comedic using slogans such as “Potty like a Rock Star” and “Meet Me at Buc-ee’s: The Best Rest Stop in America.” According to CNN, “the bathrooms are the real deal. It’s easy to assume based on the line of dozens of cars waiting for their chance to explore Buc-ee’s. There are almost more stalls than gas pumps” (Andrew).  That’s really a lot, especially considering that the Sevierville, TN, Buc-ee’s location is 30 times the industry size at 74,707 square feet. Buc-ee’s is “proud of its expansive bathrooms, kept clean by a 24/7 staff of custodians and the billboards prove it” (Andrew). GasBuddy’s summer travel survey indicated that 37% of drivers said that one of their worst fears was being unsure where to stop for a clean restroom.  “Restrooms are the ‘most important’ component of the convenience store experience to nail if a business wants repeat customers” (Andrew). Buc-ee’s proves it commitment to clean restrooms by installing a new technology called Tooshlights, which provides a light outside the door to each stall to let patrons know if the stall is empty or occupied.  Buc-ee’s recognizes that bathrooms are often a customer’s first stop and if the “impressed patron’s curiosity is piqued, they might spend more time perusing” (Andrew).

In the months and years ahead, what can we expect from Buc-ee’s?  Buc-ee’s will likely continue to explore new markets for additional expansion.  It’s goal to provide a one-of-a-kind Texas style convenience store experience has evidenced tremendous growth and a legion of fans, eager to experience and be a part of the Buc-ee’s brand. As for the future of Buc-ee’s, it is shiny bright and with a porcelain toilet.