Buc-ee’s CEO signals politics may play a role in where it expands next

Buc-ee’s may be expanding rapidly across the country, but not every state will get a taste of the Texas-born travel center.

Co-founder, President and CEO Arch Aplin III discussed the company’s expansion planson  Aug. 17 during the grand opening of Buc-ee’s 58th store in Benton, Arkansas.

“We have a lot of opportunities. We’re growing. We’re building in a lot of places, but when you find a conservative, business-friendly state with a phenomenal workforce, it makes a difference,” Aplin said in a video shared by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

“I’m starting to realize life’s too short to try to build in places that people don’t appreciate what you’re bringing versus a place like this, where people do appreciate what you’re building,” he added.

“So that leadership, that concept, that idea of conservative, business-friendly, family-oriented concept works so much better if it trickles down from the very leadership,” Aplin said. “From the very top at the governor’s office, at the congressman, at the senator, at the mayor (and) the representatives.”

The first Buc-ee’s opened July 28, 1982, in Lake Jackson, Texas. Since then, the company has expanded to nearly 60 locations across a dozen states, while facing criticism over its aggressive pursuit of trademark infringement claims against small, family-owned businesses. 

In a July 26 episode of HBO’s “Last Week Tonight,” host John Oliver lampooned the chain’s long history of trademark litigation by launching his “Buc-Off” parody campaign, featuring a 7-foot-tall squirrel mascot named Mr. Nutterbutter, in an apparent attempt to provoke a lawsuit.

The brand has also faced continuous criticism for supporting conservative political interests, with Aplin III donating a total of $882,500 to the political campaings of Republican leaders and lawmakers, according to Transparency USA.

The Texas-born travel stop has faced several boycott calls over the years, including in 2014 when owners endorsed Dan Patrick for Lieutenant Governor. At the time, Congressman Joaquin Castro said he “won’t gas up there anymore since they support a fear mongering immigrant basher.”

Now in 2026, Buc-ee’s faces more boycott calls for similar reasons, with one social media post from Instagram user @wanderingstreeteats racking up nearly 89,000 likes and hundreds of commments. “#BoycottBucees as their owner is one of the biggest donors to MAGA in Texas,” another post from @wanderingstreeteats said. That one got 28,000 likes. 

Legal representatives for Buc-ee’s did not immediately respond to the Expresss-News’ request for comment.