Buc-ee’s CEO Says He’s Prioritizing ‘Conservative, Business-Friendly’ States For New Locations

“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,” CEO Arch Aplin III said in a video clip posted by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R).

“And 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,” Aplin continued.

Currently, the company has locations in Texas, Arizona, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee. The franchise can also be found in Colorado, Missouri, Virginia and Ohio.

Its expansion has seen the company grow into a chain of giant travel centers and gas stations known for their clean restrooms, multiple fuel pumps and unique snack and merchandise selections.

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So no Buc-ee’s in Canada for sure now

— JoshWest247

(@JoshWest247) August 26, 2026

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Way to Go Bucee's! Gotta have those pulled pork BBQ sandwiches. Stay Red, stay strong.

— Big Mama Leesa (@lld235) August 27, 2026

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New one opened in blue Colorado last year but it’s in a deep red county.

— Isaac Revo (@RecompenseofGod) August 25, 2026

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Well, he wants to keep the theft down so that's pretty smart

tell me I'm lying

— RyuKyuShogun

(@RyuKyuShogun) August 25, 2026

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Aplin’s comments follow pushback the company has faced over lawsuits targeting small business owners with allegedly similar logos.

Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine called the company’s decision to sue a Beavercreek, Ohio, business operator for alleged trademark infringement “ridiculous.”

The lawsuit followed Buc-ee’s decision to open a new location in Huber Heights, Ohio, 16 miles from Beaver’s Mini Mart.

“To see this, that they’re coming after a small business like this, it upset me like it did a lot of Beavercreek residents,” Beavercreek resident Sam Bryan told Nexstar’s WDTN.

Buc-ee’s sued a Florida store and a South Carolina apparel company last year over alleged copyright infringement.

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The CEO of Buc-ee’s just said what a lot of business owners are thinking.

He’s ready to keep expanding — but may start avoiding Democrat-run blue states that make it hard to run a successful company.

“Life’s too short to try to build in places that people don’t appreciate what… pic.twitter.com/ZSQoIixnv9

— Gunther Eagleman

(@GuntherEagleman) August 25, 2026

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