Why Buc-ee’s Is Targeting Conservative States for Expansion
Buc-ee’s has built a cult following around its cavernous travel centers, famously clean restrooms, and wall-to-wall beaver-themed merchandise. The Texas-based chain operates 58 locations across 13 states. But where it builds next is no longer just a matter of traffic patterns and real estate prices. The company’s CEO has made it clear that politics now plays a central role in site selection.
Arch “Beaver” Aplin III, Buc-ee’s co-founder and president, said at the grand opening of the chain’s Benton, Arkansas, store on August 17 that he prefers to build in “conservative, business-friendly states.” Joined by Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Senator Tom Cotton, Aplin told the crowd that “life’s too short to try to build in places that people don’t appreciate what you’re bringing.” He added that a “conservative, business-friendly, family-oriented concept works so much better if it trickles down from the very leadership at the top.”
Aplin did not name specific states he plans to avoid, but the message was direct: Buc-ee’s will prioritize communities where local and state leadership actively welcome the brand. He cited Benton as a model because of its business-friendly environment and strong workforce.
Buc-ee’s expansion criteria go beyond standard retail math. The company looks for locations in states with conservative governance, business-friendly policies, and a family-oriented culture. Aplin has donated $882,500 to Republican candidates and causes, according to Transparency USA. That political alignment has drawn boycott calls in the past, including a 2014 backlash over his endorsement of Dan Patrick for Texas lieutenant governor, and renewed criticism in 2026. Comedian John Oliver lampooned the chain’s aggressive trademark lawsuits on HBO’s Last Week Tonight in July, further amplifying scrutiny.
Despite the controversy, Buc-ee’s continues to grow. Six new locations are scheduled to open in 2027, including sites in Louisiana, Kansas, Tennessee, Florida, Texas, and Georgia. The Benton store alone created more than 200 jobs.
Why does this matter? Retailers have long factored local politics into expansion decisions, but few speak about it as openly as Aplin. His comments signal a shift toward explicit ideological branding in site selection. For communities in politically mixed or liberal areas, it could mean losing out on a major employer and tax generator. For conservative regions, it reinforces their appeal as destinations for pro-business investment.
By tying expansion to politics, Buc-ee’s is betting that its customer base shares its values — and that state-level leadership matters more than any single local objection. Whether that bet pays off depends on how voters and consumers respond to a chain that now wears its politics on its sleeve.