Southern Favorite Buc-ee’s Is Expanding to Its Northernmost Location Yet

Buc-ee’s, the Texas-based convenience store chain with a devoted fan base, has taken over the gas station and convenience store industry—offering shoppers a warehouse-sized wonderland of ready-made foods, branded merch, and drool-worthy desserts. If you’re not familiar with the chain, set aside any preconceived notions of what a convenience store may look like. Buc-ee’s is more like Walt Disney World than 7-Eleven. 

Or as journalist Charles Usher said, “while describing Buc-ee’s as a convenience store is technically correct, that’s also like describing a whale shark as a fish.” These stores are mammoth.

Its Luling, Texas store is the largest convenience store in the world at 75,593 square feet. (Buc-ee’s also holds the record for second and third place.) For context, the average U.S. convenience store size is about 3,000 square feet, according to the National Association of Convenience Stores. So, it’s safe to say that Buc-ee’s offers shoppers something truly grandiose.

These stores have an incredibly passionate fan following and are often packed to the walls with visitors. But the ready-made food is truly something special. I had a mouth-watering brisket burrito during my only visit to the popular retailer, and I would have paid triple the price for it. It was just that good. There are rows and rows of fresh baked goods, house-made jerky, and its most famous product: Beaver Nuggets, puffed corn snacks covered in a sweet caramel and brown sugar coating. 

For too long, only folks living in or traveling through the South (as well as two rare spots in Colorado and Missouri) could easily access this beloved shop. But Buc-ee’s is finally coming to a brand-new state and region of the U.S.

And this proud Wisconsinite could not be more excited.  

Buc-ee’s Expands to the Upper Midwest With New Wisconsin Location

Earlier this year, it was reported that Buc-ee’s had plans to move north—all the way north, in fact. WISN reported that the chain purchased a $7.5 million property in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, marking its first step into the Upper Midwest. 

The new 74,000-square-foot location will boast 120 gas pumps and the store’s anticipated opening is early 2027. This will be Buc-ee’s northernmost location, as the current northernmost store is in Berthoud, Colo, and the nearest Buc-ee’s to Wisconsin right now is in Richmond, Ky., which is nearly 500 miles away.

This will also be Buc-ee’s first major location in the Midwest, as the only current midwestern store is in Springfield, Mo. Oak Creek is a 12-mile drive from Milwaukee, and an 80-mile drive from downtown Chicago—making it accessible to a whole new slew of Beaver Nugget fans. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Buc-ee’s to Oak Creek, as they choose our growing city for their first-completed store in Wisconsin along the critical I-94 corridor,” said Dan Bukiewicz, Mayor of Oak Creek, in a press release. “This exciting development not only strengthens our position as a key hub for travelers, but also brings new opportunities for local businesses and residents. We look forward to seeing the positive impact Buc-ee’s will have on our community.”

Also in the press release, Stan Beard Jr., Buc-ee’s Director of Real Estate and Development, shared, “Buc-ee’s is excited to have the opportunity of adding Oak Creek to our expansion into Wisconsin.”

So, I’m hoping that means a few more locations will be popping up throughout The Badger State and the Midwest.