Dive Brief:
- Buc-ee’s broke ground last week on its first travel center in Arizona, according to an announcement from the city of Goodyear, where the site will be located.
- In the works since early 2024, the 74,000-square-foot site will feature 120 fuel pumps and is expected to open in summer 2026, according to the announcement. It’s also expected to bring about 200 full-time jobs to the city.
- The Goodyear Buc-ee’s will be the company’s westernmost location, continuing an aggressive U.S. expansion that’s also seen the popular retailer grow its footprint out East and in the Midwest.
Dive Insight:
Since expanding outside of its home state of Texas in 2019, Buc-ee’s — well known for its supersized c-stores, barbecue and high-paying jobs — has reached 51 stores across nine states with additional locations in the works.
The Goodyear site will be located at the southeast corner of North Bullard Avenue and Interstate 10, about 19 miles west of downtown Phoenix. Both Circle K and QuikTrip have several stores in the area.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony last week, Buc-ee’s co-founder and owner Arch Aplin said Goodyear’s “business-friendly city council and its amazing employment opportunities” make the city an ideal spot for Buc-ee’s Arizona debut. He added that the company is looking at more sites in Arizona.
“We’re really excited about our first location in Arizona and we’re particularly pleased to be in Goodyear,” Aplin added.
Once built, the Buc-ee’s is expected to bring an economic boom for Goodyear through attracting new visitors, increasing visibility and drawing in complementary businesses such as restaurants, hotels and other retail stores, Goodyear Mayor Joe Pizzillo said in the announcement.
“Buc-ee’s is a destination and 80% of its business comes from outside the city, which means it won’t take away from our existing businesses,” Pizzillo said.
Besides Arizona, Buc-ee’s is currently building its first locations in Ohio, Kansas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Virginia.
