Buc-ee’s to open in new market with store in ‘heart’ of southern state

Buc-ee’s is officially touching down in the Natural State. The beloved, supersized travel destination has announced the grand opening of its first-ever Arkansas location, bringing its iconic beaver mascot and massive retail footprint to Benton.

The Benton Arrival

The new 74,000-square-foot facility is set to open its doors on August 17 at 6 a.m. Located at 1400 Highway 229, the site is designed to be a premier stop for road trippers, featuring a staggering 128 gas pumps to handle high-volume travel.

Benton Mayor Tom Farmer, alongside City Council members Ann Spencer-Cole, Evelyn Reed, and Bill Eldridge, as well as members of the A&P Commission board, are scheduled to take part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. This launch marks a busy August for the chain, following the opening of a San Marcos, Texas, location on August 7, as noted in reports on a location in San Marcos, Texas.

More Than Just a Gas Station

Often dubbed the “Disneyland of convenience stores,” Buc-ee’s has cultivated a cult following. Beyond fuel, travelers flock to the stores for their legendary food selection, which includes fresh brisket sandwiches, breakfast tacos, kolaches, BBQ, and signature snacks like Beaver Nuggets. The expansion is expected to serve as a major economic boost for the area, with the company confirming that the Benton location will create more than 200 jobs.

“We obviously picked Benton, the ‘Heart of Arkansas’, to be the first Buc-ee’s in the Natural State,” said Stan Beard of Buc-ee’s. “Folks on their way to or from Hot Springs or any number of beautiful destinations around Benton and Little Rock will stop in for our great Texas BBQ, the cleanest restrooms in the universe, and a pit stop beyond their wildest expectations.”

A Growing Nationwide Footprint

With the addition of the Benton store, Buc-ee’s now manages 58 locations across the United States. The company’s footprint spans Texas, Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

The aggressive expansion shows no signs of slowing down. The chain opened its first store in Ohio earlier this year and launched its first location in Arizona in June. Looking ahead, the company has announced plans to open stores in eight new states in 2026. This includes potential future growth in the Midwest; according to WTHR-13 in Indianapolis, the chain has submitted plans to build a 74,000 square-foot center in Indiana.