Buc-ee's may prioritize 'conservative, business-friendly' red states for expansion

August 25, 2026 - 19:11

Buc-ee's cofounder and CEO Arch "Beaver" Aplin III has hinted that the beloved Texas-based travel center chain may focus its future growth on states with conservative politics and lighter business regulations. In a recent interview, Aplin suggested that the company's expansion decisions are influenced by how welcoming a state is to large-scale retail projects, including factors like permitting speed, tax structures, and overall government attitude toward private enterprise.

Aplin did not name specific states, but his comments point to a broader trend among big-box retailers and convenience store chains that prefer operating in areas with fewer bureaucratic hurdles. Buc-ee's is known for its massive locations, some with over 100 gas pumps and sprawling convenience floors, which require significant land, infrastructure, and zoning approvals. States that streamline these processes make it easier for the company to open new sites quickly and cost-effectively.

The company already has a strong presence in Texas, its home base, and has expanded into states like Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Aplin's remarks suggest that future locations will likely follow a similar pattern, favoring the Southeast and other regions where political leadership tends to support low-tax, low-regulation environments. He also noted that the chain values long-term relationships with local communities, but the initial decision comes down to practical business considerations.

Buc-ee's fans in states like Colorado or Arizona, which have more mixed political landscapes, may have to wait longer for a location. Aplin emphasized that while the company is not ruling out any state entirely, the path of least resistance often wins. For now, the chain's growth map appears to align closely with the political map of the Sun Belt and the South, where business-friendly policies are a common selling point.