Buc-ee’s Updates Expansion Plans – Latest for Louisiana

(KMDL-FM) Buc-ee's, the Texas-based travel center, has been in the news a lot here lately. Most of the stories concerning the travel center giant have not been positive ones.

Buc-ee's Updates Expansion Plans, Including Lafayette and Ruston Stores

David Benedict

However, we do have some good Buc-ee's news for those who are wondering if the latest legal issues facing Buc-ee's have created any delays for the two planned locations of the mega-travel centers.

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Based on previous releases from Buc-ee's, Louisiana's I-20 location near Ruston was slated to open in spring of 2027. A little further to the south, along I-10, the Buc-ee's location that is being built near Lafayette, Louisiana, had been rumored to be planning a late 2027 opening.

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Our sources inside the Buc-ee's planning team have revealed that "The Beaver" plans to open six locations in 2027. The Ruston, Louisiana location is on the list, as are locations in Georgia, Kansas, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Arizona recently got its first Buc-ee's, as did Ohio.

It appears as though the Buc-ee's timetable for a Lafayette, Louisiana location is now early 2028. The chain also plans to expand to other states, including Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Nebraska, Ohio, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin through 2031 in some cases.

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Brandon Bell, Getty Images

There have been questions about Buc-ee's expanding internationally after the notoriety the brand received during the recent World Cup. As of now, the company has no official plans to expand outside of the United States, but from what we understand, that notion is not totally off the table for future investments and locations.

Buc-ee's has experienced a 15% increase in store traffic and sales based on year-over-year numbers. Based on just the cross-talk that we are hearing around Lafayette, folks are genuinely excited about Buc-ee's arrival.

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The store was also recognized as one of the top grocery stores in the country. It made Inc.com's "Best of List". Which is quite a feat when you consider that most of Buc-ee's customers are not what you think of as "traditional grocery shoppers".

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Of course, construction timetables are dependent on weather and supply chain issues, but based on the best available information, directly from the Beaver's mouth, it does look as if the 2027 Ruston opening and the early 2028 Lafayette opening are on schedule. In the meantime, you'll have to wait on the brisket, but you can still find some killer rice and gravy. We know where to find that.