If you’ve ever been to Buc-ee’s, you know that it’s a distinctly southern chain.
From the pecan clusters to the fudge to all the delicious fried foods…
It’s definitely got that flair.
Of course…
Follow The Coconut Mama
• For fun lists, healthy living tips, and bar conversation topics, make sure to follow The Coconut Mama. Click here to access The Coconut Mama’s profile page and be sure to hit the Follow button here or at the top of this article!
• Have feedback? Add a comment below!
77 MM
Really it’s more Texan than anything else.
The very first Buc-ee’s travel center was opened in Luling, Texas in 2003.
Cowboy hats are standard issue for employees.
They even make their own BBQ!
And of course, the majority of Buc-ee’s in the world are still in Texas today.
For now.
Shutterstock
You see, back in 2019 Buc-ee’s decided to start dipping its toes into markets outside of Texas – starting with Alabama, then expanding into additional states.
(At this point, they’re in nine – with several new states planned in the coming years. Including one state where they’re building a whopping three Buc-ee’s to start!)
But up until now it’s been all southern states.
And here’s why…
Shutterstock
Again, take a look at the menu.
Brisket. Sausage on a stick. Fried potato chips. Beaver nuggets. Fudge. Pecan clusters.
This stuff is all pretty southern.
(I’m not saying you can’t find it elsewhere – you can – but just…it’s pretty southern!)
So it makes sense to start in places where you know your audience is going to love what you’ve got to sell.
But now, for the first time…
Shutterstock
The Mason-Dixon line has a big divot in it to keep Delaware in the north, but otherwise it’s drawn right at 39 degrees, 43 minutes, and 15 seconds north.
If you extend that across the country and superimpose all the Buc-ee’s in the country over it, you’ll see that all but one fall clearly below it.
Put differently, there’s just one Buc-ee’s north of the Mason-Dixon line:
Shutterstock
(Well, ok, technically it’s in Berthoud.)
If you geolocate its address (5201 Nugget Road, Berthoud, CO 80513), you see that it’s a little north of 40 degrees north – clearly above the Mason-Dixon line.
And here’s what you need to know:
Shutterstock
Johnstown’s Buc-ee’s isn’t really otherwise abnormal in any way.
It’s 74,000 square feet, which is typical among new Buc-ee’s builds.
(As a reminder – the typical grocery store is about 38,000 square feet, so it’s nearly double the size of your local grocery store!)
It’s open 24/7, as all Buc-ee’s are (or should be)…
It has over 275 staff, which is typical for its size…
Shutterstock
In terms of amenities, it has DEF and ethanol-free fuel, plus a dozen Tesla Superchargers for all you EV lovers out there.
And of course, the cleanest bathrooms around.
Like I said, pretty normal other than being in Colorado.
So why did they open up there?
Well, it’s all part of the plan…
Shutterstock
You see, Buc-ee’s has a very clear blueprint they use whenever choosing sites for new locations.
It goes a little something like this:
– Pick a busy highway
– Look near a big city on that highway (but not too close – land is expensive the closer you get to downtown – usually a suburb or exurb will do just fine)
– Negotiate for tax breaks and other incentives
– Build
And as you’ll see, Johnstown checks all the boxes here:
Shutterstock
Let’s go point by point:
– Busy highway? Check. Johnstown is right off I-25 and I-76.
– Big city? Also check. Denver and Boulder are both nearby!
– Tax incentives? Check. Johnstown offered 20 years of sales tax sharebacks.
And then they built!
This was the first Buc-ee’s in Colorado – but Buc-ee’s is already eyeing an expansion…
Follow The Coconut Mama
• For fun lists, healthy living tips, and bar conversation topics, make sure to follow The Coconut Mama. Click here to access The Coconut Mama’s profile page and be sure to hit the Follow button here or at the top of this article!
• Have feedback? Add a comment below!
Shutterstock
And perhaps more importantly, I think the success of their Johnstown location is encouraging Buc-ee’s to expand further north.
– They’re working up their first location in Ohio right now
– Buc-ee’s received final approval to begin construction near Kansas City, Kansas earlier this fall…
– They have three locations planned in Virginia, including one which has already broken ground (Yes, Virginia is technically south of the Mason-Dixon line but is, for most intents and purposes, pretty northern at this point – ask anyone who lives there)
– They’ve even submitted documents to try and get one built in Wisconsin!
Shutterstock
Buc-ee’s has been meticulous and careful about their store openings, and it’s clear to me that they’re looking to expand to a much larger audience in the north and midwest.
I would expect to see additional Buc-ee’s centers throughout middle America and up the I-95 corridor, as that’s where all the people are!
(I’m also curious to see if they’ll ever try to push into California and up the West Coast.)
Which brings me to an important question…
Shutterstock
Where do you think Buc-ee’s should open up its next store?
Be sure to let us know in the comments!
Shutterstock
Leave a Comment