Governor Greg Abbott (R-Texas) made an appearance at the opening of the new Buc-ee’s travel center in Luling, Texas, on Monday, touting the strength of the “booming” Texas economy. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Abbott toured the new store, including the stock room, kitchen and main floor.
“As the state’s greatest fan of Beaver Nuggets, I am proud that Texas is home to the world’s best convenience store,” said Abbott. “With more than 200 new jobs and a $40 million investment, this Buc-ee’s is key to the future of Luling. This Texas-based chain now has locations across Texas and in states like Alabama, Colorado, Florida and Georgia. They helped spread Texas hospitality, good barbeque and beaver nuggets wherever they go. Texas is proud to be the homebase of the growing Buc-ee’s empire. Buc-ee’s is just one important piece of the economy of the bigger, better Texas we are building for generations to come.”
Buc-ee’s Ltd. President and CEO Arch “Beaver” Aplin III, Representative Stan Gerdes, Caldwell County Judge Hoppy Haden, Mayor Luling CJ Watts, former Mayor of Luling Mike Hendricks and other state and local officials joined the governor at the June 10 ceremony.
Speaking to a crowd of more than 200 Buc-ee's customers and local leaders, Abbott praised Buc-ee’s for providing good-paying jobs to their employees, saying that the company ranks among the top five U.S. retailers for entry-level salaries, with general managers earning up to $225,000 annually. He also said that Texas is the ”Best State for Business,” citing Chief Executive magazine and has the “Top Business Climate” in the nation according to Site Selection magazine because of the state’s” highly skilled workforce and reasonable regulations.” He also boasted of signing the largest property tax cut in Texas history into law and said that he will continue to advocate for greater property tax cuts during the next legislative session.
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Governor Abbott presented Aplin with a proclamation to recognize and celebrate the grand opening of the world's largest Buc-ee's.
Buc-ee’s new Luling travel center is its largest to date at more than 75,000 square feet. It beats out the more than 74,000-square-foot Buc-ee’s in Sevierville, Tennessee, which opened in June 2023.
The Luling store replaces the city’s current Buc-ee’s store, which was the brand’s first family travel center, built in 2003.
Located at 10070 I-10, the new Luling site offers 120 fueling positions. In the store, it offers thousands of snack, meal and drink options. Buc-ee’s staples including Texas barbeque, homemade fudge, kolaches, Beaver Nuggets, jerky and fresh pastries also are available.
With this opening, Buc-ee’s operates 50 stores across Texas and the South.
Buc-ee’s Luling employs at least 200 team members, with starting pay beginning above minimum wage, full benefits, a 6% matching 401k and three weeks of paid vacation, according to the company.
Buc-ee’s will open its next travel center in Smiths Grove, Kentucky, on June 24, the chain’s second in the Bluegrass State. Located at 4001 Smiths Grove-Scottsville Road, the Smiths Grove Buc-ee’s will occupy 53,000 square feet and offer 120 fueling positions. Smiths Grove will be the smallest town to host a Buc-ee’s. It will bring at least 200 jobs to the area, the company said.
- Buc-ee’s isNo. 153 on CSP’s 2023 Top 202ranking of U.S. convenience-store chains by store count.
Since beginning its multi-state expansion in 2019, Buc-ee’s has opened travel centers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee and Colorado. Buc-ee’s broke ground on the first Virginia and Mississippi locations earlier this year.
Founded in 1982, Lake Jackson, Texas-based Buc-ee’s now has 35 stores across Texas, including the world’s largest convenience store, as well as 15 locations in other states. Buc-ee’s is known for its large, clean bathrooms, large number of fueling positions, Buc-ee’s apparel and signature food and snacks.
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