# Buc‑ee's US travel center expansion & high‑pay hiring

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bucees-us-travel-center-expansion
> Updated: 2026-08-03T18:26:37.000Z. Sources: 28. Developments: 10.

Buc‑ee's continues its rapid rollout of large‑format travel centers across the United States. Construction is underway on the first Louisiana store in Ruston, where exterior walls and roof are complete and the 74,000‑sq‑ft facility with 120 pumps is slated for an April 2027 opening. The company is hiring entry‑level staff at $18‑$37 hourly with full benefits and plans to add management roles paying up to $275,000 annually.

In the Midwest, the chain broke ground on its inaugural Indiana outlet in Richmond, a 74,000‑sq‑ft center projected to create about 200 permanent jobs and generate significant local tax revenue. The Southwest saw the first Arizona location open in Goodyear, a 74,000‑sq‑ft, 120‑pump site that created more than 200 jobs and prompted traffic‑management plans and mixed reactions from nearby businesses.

Florida will receive four new stores, including a 76,000‑sq‑ft facility in Fort Pierce slated for late 2027/early 2028 with 120 pumps and 18 EV chargers, plus sites in Tallahassee (2027), Ocala (2029) and Port Charlotte (date TBD). A planned New Jersey location remains on hold due to the state’s full‑service pump requirement.

The largest Southeast site, a 75,000‑sq‑ft center in Mebane, North Carolina, is set to open between October and December 2027, promising 200‑300 full‑time jobs. Virginia’s Stafford County approval adds a 74,000‑sq‑ft, 120‑pump center near I‑95, though a federal traffic study could delay construction by up to 1.5 years. Wisconsin’s Oak Creek store, now 73,370 sq ft, has been pushed to early 2028 because of a sewer‑expansion project.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-03: Buc-ee's travel center in Ruston, Louisiana slated for April 2027 opening

Buc‑ee’s 74,000‑sq‑ft travel center in Ruston, LA, is on track for an April 2027 opening, with construction progressing and hiring of ~200 workers slated to start this fall.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/buc-ees-travel-center-in-ruston-louisiana-slated-for-april-2027-opening

### 2026-07-31: Buc‑ee’s Begins Construction and Hiring for First Louisiana Store in Ruston

Buc‑ee’s is building its first Louisiana store in Ruston, with walls up and concrete pouring, aiming to open mid‑2027 and create 200‑250 jobs.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bucees-begins-construction-and-hiring-for-first-louisiana-store-in-ruston

### 2026-07-16: Buc‑ee’s expands with new Virginia travel center and delayed Wisconsin store

Buc‑ee’s plans a new 74k‑sq‑ft Virginia travel center near I‑95, pending studies, while its Wisconsin store’s opening slips to early 2028 due to sewer work.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bucees-expands-with-new-virginia-travel-center-and-delayed-wisconsin-store

### 2026-07-13: Buc‑ee’s Sets Opening Window for Largest Gas Station in North Carolina

Buc‑ee’s will open its largest North Carolina gas station (75,000 sq ft, 120 pumps) between Oct‑Dec 2027, creating 200‑300 full‑time jobs and adding significant traffic to the NC Commerce Park.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bucees-sets-opening-window-for-largest-gas-station-in-north-carolina

### 2026-07-10: Buc-ee's posts hiring sign offering salaries up to $275,000

Buc-ee's in Lafayette, LA posted a hiring sign showing wages from $20/hr for entry jobs to $275,000 annually for upper managers, sparking debate over high pay and demanding work conditions.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/buc-ees-posts-hiring-sign-offering-salaries-up-to-275000

### 2026-07-09: Buc‑ee’s expands in Florida while New Jersey bans self‑serve pumps

Buc‑ee’s adds four Florida stores by 2029, with a Fort Pierce location due in 2027‑28, but New Jersey’s self‑serve gas ban blocks any new outlet there.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bucees-expands-in-florida-while-new-jersey-bans-selfserve-pumps

### 2026-06-28: Buc‑ee’s expands with new sites amid World Cup fan frenzy

Buc‑ee’s, the world’s largest convenience store, leverages World Cup fan buzz to open new sites, including a massive Arizona store, while its banana‑pudding dessert remains a fan favorite.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bucees-expands-with-new-sites-amid-world-cup-fan-frenzy

### 2026-06-24: Buc-ee's opens first Arizona store in Goodyear, creating jobs and stirring local business concerns

Buc‑ee’s opened its first Arizona store in Goodyear, adding 200 jobs and raising traffic, while nearby hot‑sauce maker Ass Kickin’ watches the impact on its business.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/buc-ees-opens-first-arizona-store-in-goodyear-creating-jobs-and-stirring-local-business-concerns

### 2026-06-22: Buc-ee's Opens First Arizona Travel Center in Goodyear

Buc‑ee’s opened its first Arizona travel center in Goodyear, featuring 120 pumps, a 74,000‑sq‑ft store, a ribbon‑cutting with Gov. Hobbs, and city‑wide traffic plans to handle crowds.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/buc-ees-opens-first-arizona-travel-center-in-goodyear

### 2026-06-20: Buc-ee's Opens First Stores in Louisiana and Indiana

Buc‑ee's is building its first Louisiana store in Ruston for a 2027 opening and its first Indiana outlet in Richmond, expected to create 200 jobs and boost local tax revenue.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/buc-ees-opens-first-stores-in-louisiana-and-indiana

---
Cite as: Buc‑ee's US travel center expansion & high‑pay hiring. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bucees-us-travel-center-expansion