Buc-ee’s is known as the Disney World of gas stations for a reason.
Well, many reasons.
The bathrooms are clean, the service is great, the food is top-notch, and of course – they’re huge!
There are tons of reasons to love Buc-ee’s.
But I’ve noticed something recently when talking to friends about the Buc-ee’s that’s supposed to open locally in the next couple of years…
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Which is that they have these complaints about Buc-ee’s.
Complaints that have some basis in reality, but just totally miss the point of what Buc-ee’s is.
I’ve collected them together here for discussion.
Let me know what you think in the comments.
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If you’re comparing Buc-ee’s locally-made food to prepackaged garbage, sure – I’ll grant that it can be a little pricey.
A warm chopped brisket sandwich is certainly going to cost more than a cold, tasteless ham and cheese sandwich that’s been sitting in the packaging for a few days.
But when you look at the actual, real-life costs for most Buc-ee’s foods…they’re clearly in line with (or cheaper than) what you’d expect elsewhere.
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Take their hot dogs. They’re $2.49.
That doesn’t seem unreasonable to me.
Their breakfast burritos? $3.49.
Kolaches? $2.99. I challenge you to find a bakery that sells them for cheaper.
Much less another gas station that offers them at all!
(You can see a longer list of fantastic foods at Buc-ee’s that cost under $5 here.)
So you’re getting pretty incredible selection and quality – for cheap.
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Despite the fact that Buc-ee’s builds their convenience stores to spec at 74,000 square feet – that’s half the size of a Costco, for those keeping score at home – yes, there are times that Buc-ee’s can get pretty crowded.
Just like Costco.
Just like anywhere that’s popular!
But I don’t really understand why people complain about it.
Because there’s a very simple answer:
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Unlike many convenience stores, Buc-ee’s is open 24/7.
So if it’s too crowded at some points, go at another time!
It’s no worse than Costco on a weekend in my experience – and everyone gets through that just fine.
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Pick a side!
Either it’s too crowded, or it’s too big.
But it can’t be both. Because increasing the size of the building is the best way to channel visitors and reduce crowding.
(Aside from just offering an inferior product so people stop visiting. But really, who would do that?)
I get that Buc-ee’s is big.
I mean…
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The average Buc-ee’s is almost twice the size of your standard grocery store.
It’s more than 20x the size of your typical convenience store!
But if you don’t like the size, confine yourself to the parts that work for you.
You don’t have to case the whole store every time. You can just go straight to the bbq station. Or the coffee station. Or the sweets and fudge section. Or wherever.
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The paradox of choice is a real thing – the more choices you’re presented with, the harder it is to make a selection.
And there are certainly some areas where there are a LOT of choices at Buc-ee’s – fudge, beef jerky, and beaver nuggets, to name just a few.
The flip side of that, though, is that Buc-ee’s has actually done a good job of paring down its offerings over the last few years, cutting lots of less-popular dishes off its menu.
So it’s getting better.
And you can also just focus in on what you want and go do that. I went to Costco the other day and just bought three things. You can do the same at Buc-ee’s.
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It makes sense that, if Buc-ee’s is getting millions of visitors a year, then those visitors are probably not visiting other gas stations.
But – that’s how the free market works.
Those local gas stations probably didn’t have clean bathrooms.
Well-paid staff. (Buc-ee’s pay starts at $18 an hour.)
Tons of great food.
Like, why would you want to protect that business when everyone could just go somewhere better?
Plus…
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Local gas stations can just up their game.
They can adapt to the fact that they have a competitor with good food, friendly service, and nice bathrooms.
I’ve noticed that in places with a Buc-ee’s nearby, all the other gas stations seem better than elsewhere.
It makes sense.
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So there you have it – five complaints that I think just really miss the point of what Buc-ee’s is doing.
What do you think?
Any you’d add?
Let us know in the comments!
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