The popular Texas-based convenience store and gas stop Buc-ee’s is spreading to yet another state. Grand Canyon State in Arizona will see its first beaver-themed travel center opening on June 22 for your brisket sandwich, cheap(er) gas, endless snacks, and spotless bathroom needs.
But don’t feel left out, Floridians. Buc-ee’s has big plans for the Sunshine State, with two already open and busy and at least four more in progress in Ocala, Fort Pierce, Tallahassee, and Port Charlotte.
Buc-ee’s has become widely popular for its convenience and the quality of its tasty treats, including Beaver Nuggets, brisket, fudge, and a literal wall of jerky.
Buc-ee’s current footprint in Florida
Right now, Buc-ee’s operates two travel centers in Florida, both along Interstate 95. The first one opened in 2021 in St. Augustine, along the Northeast Florida stretch of I‑95, and it was quickly followed by a Buc-ee’s in Daytona Beach, serving drivers headed to and from Central Florida’s beaches and Speedway area.
Each site combines a large convenience store-slash-deli-slash-bakery with a ridiculous number of gas pumps (more than 100 at each location), big parking lots, and a wide selection of food and merchandise. The Daytona Beach Buc-ee’s also features a 235-long car wash.
That taste of Buc-ee’s was only the beginning for Florida drivers.
New Buc-ee’s locations coming to Florida
There are several Buc-ee’s in progress and in the planning stages.
Ocala, Marion County, near I-75: A Buc-ee’s will be located on a new Interstate 75 interchange at the southeast corner of I-75 and Northwest 49th Street, which is being constructed as part of a massive I-75 improvements project. The opening date was recently pushed to 2029.
Fort Pierce / St. Lucie County, I‑95 and Indrio Road: On Florida’s East Coast, Buc‑ee’s has proposed a new location near the I‑95 and Indrio Road interchange in St. Lucie County, serving the Fort Pierce area southwest of Vero Beach. Plans call for a massive travel center with a store of 76,245 square feet, 120 gas pumps, 18 EV charging stations, and 778 parking spaces. Buc-ee’s website shows the estimated opening date as 2027.
Tallahassee / Leon County, near I‑10: Buc-ee’s bought more than 30 acres near Capital Circle Northwest and Interstate 10 last November after submitting plans for 75,000 square feet, with 120 gas pumps and 24 EV charging stations. This would be the chain’s first Panhandle location, giving drivers on I‑10 a Buc‑ee’s stop between the Alabama state line and Jacksonville. No opening date has been suggested.
Port Charlotte, Charlotte County, I-75: There are plans for a Buc-ee’s in a trio of villages near a new Harborview development in Southwest Florida. Depending on the zoning, it’s planned to be around 74.000 square feet, according to Stan Beard, Buc-ee’s national director of real estate and development.
How Florida fits into Buc-ee’s bigger expansion
Florida is a key part of Buc‑ee’s broader national buildout. With a fast-growing population, as well as tens of millions of tourists every year flocking to popular destinations in every direction, Buc-ee’s can serve both with well-placed locations near high-traffic interstates such as I-75, I-95, and I-10.
Florida local and state governments have also worked to welcome Buc-ee’s, with Gov. Ron DeSantis even throwing bags of Beaver Nuggets to the crowd when the Ocala location was announced.
The company has been moving beyond its Texas roots for several years, adding or announcing locations in states including Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
What this means for Florida drivers and communities
For drivers, more Buc‑ee’s locations mean additional one‑stop options for fuel, food, and restrooms that can replace several smaller and sometimes less savory stops on a long trip. Buc-ee’s is a driver’s dream with big parking lots, endless rows of gas pumps, clean bathrooms with plenty of stalls, and a wide selection of hot foods and snacks.
For communities, these projects can bring significant construction activity, new jobs, and changes to nearby roads, as local officials work with Buc‑ee’s on interchange upgrades and traffic management. Buc-ee’s is also known for well-paying jobs.
There are currently 12 jobs listed for Florida locations at Buc-ee’s website. Cashier listings start at $20 an hour. So do janitors and grocery associates. Car wash attendants make $23 an hour, deli and food service associates make $25. Assistant management positions range up to $37 per hour, while higher management roles may clear over $120,00 per year.
Florida’s minimum wage is currently $14 an hour.
All Buc-ee’s positions include medical, dental, and vision coverage, three weeks of paid time off, and a 401(k) with a 100% company match up to 6%, according to the job postings.
However, communities may also have to deal with increased traffic near a new Buc-ee’s location that can bring thousands of vehicles every day, and smaller retailers in the area may suffer from competition that can negotiate lower prices.
C. A. Bridges is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Buc-ee’s to open 1st store in this state. 4 more are coming to Florida
Reporting by C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
