Staff Reports
Buc-ee’s made headlines at the recent grand opening of its new Benton, Arkansas travel center when CEO Arch Aplin III said the company will focus future growth on conservative, business‑friendly states. That plain-spoken choice should not surprise anyone who runs a business: where leaders back jobs and respect customers, businesses thrive.
Buc-ee’s to favor conservative, business‑friendly states
At the Benton opening, attended by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Senator Tom Cotton, Aplin said Buc-ee’s will prioritize locations where state and local leaders welcome businesses. He noted that when governors, mayors and representatives support a pro‑work, pro‑family climate, it makes a difference for jobs, investment and service. Buc-ee’s has already grown beyond its Texas roots to 58 stores across 14 states, and that growth will now follow states that share its values and common‑sense approach to business.
Why that is smart business, not politics
This isn’t a culture war stunt. It’s basic economics. Lower taxes, reasonable regulation, welcoming local officials and a stable workforce cut costs and speed up opening new stores. Buc-ee’s is a high‑touch retail brand that needs employees who stay, communities that back development, and customers who feel welcome. Picking pro‑business states helps deliver all three. If that sounds political, remember: policies that favor growth are just good business policy.
To the predictable boycott threats: good luck
Right away, social‑media hot takes threatened boycott campaigns. That’s fitting: a company says it will grow where it’s appreciated, and the unappreciative threaten to walk away. Fine. Buc-ee’s long ago proved that fans travel for its clean restrooms, fuel prices and famous snacks. If coastal activists want to stay home rather than try a Beaver Nugget, let them. Business owners choose where to invest based on reality, not performative outrage.
What this means going forward
Buc-ee’s plan to lean into conservative, business‑friendly states is a clear signal to other companies deciding where to expand. Policymakers who cut red tape and back local hiring will see results in jobs and tax revenue. For customers, it means more Buc‑ees where leaders value straightforward commerce. For critics, it means fewer complaints and more room for common sense to win the day — and for the rest of us, a clean restroom and a spare jerky to enjoy on the drive.
