Dive Brief:
- Buc-ee’s currently sees more than 210 million annual trips to its supersized gas stations, more than double what it recorded in 2019, according to data from research firm Numerator.
- However, there are signs the retailer’s momentum is slowing. After gaining household penetration each year since 2019, that metric slipped from 33.5% in 2025 to 33.3% during the 12-month period ended July 31.
- The number of households that purchased Buc-ee’s private label brands also declined by 3 million over the same year-long period, according to Numerator.
Dive Insight:
Buc-ee’s is in the midst of a nationwide expansion drive that has helped increase sales over the past several years. But as it grows, it’s rubbing shoulders with some tough competitors, including super regional chains like QuikTrip and Wawa.
Like other c-store retailers, Buc-ee’s is also contending with low consumer sentiment and a pullback on spending amid a difficult macroeconomic climate.
Buc-ee’s, which operates more than 50 stores across 14 states, including more than a dozen outside its home state of Texas, saw its share of gas and c-store trips drop half a point during the year that ended July 31, while Wawa and Sheetz each gained 0.7 points, Numerator noted.
Despite this, Buc-ee’s favorability remains high with shoppers. Visitors gave the chain a net satisfaction score of 90, well above the benchmark of 84 for the c-store industry, the data firm outlined. Two-thirds of Buc-ee’s shoppers say the store environment is pleasant, while 51% say they consider the chain to be a good value, both also above the industry benchmark.
