Ground has been officially broken for the first Buc-ee's location in West Tennessee, introducing a new outpost for the Texas-based travel center chain in Fayette County. Although inclement weather prevented Tennessee Governor Bill Lee from attending, local leaders and officials marked the occasion this morning, according to a report by FOX13 Memphis. The Fayette County location, situated near Interstate 40 at Exit 28, is to conveniently serve both locals and passersby with a plethora of amenities and is projected to open its doors in 2026.
The Buc-ee's Gallaway store is expected to sprawl over 74,000 square feet and will feature 120 gas pumps and 71 restrooms, solidifying the brand's reputation for providing the world's cleanest bathrooms. Buc-ee's is widely recognized for its extensive food offerings, including Texas barbecue, homemade fudge, and pastries, as well as non-food items like a full-service gift shop. The ability to quickly secure infrastructure loans played a key role in the development, as leaders in Fayette County approved a $15 million loan in August to support the project, noted FOX13 Memphis. This investment is to also generate 244 jobs, offering an average annual salary of around $45,000.
The expansion into Fayette County highlights Buc-ee's strategic moves to capitalize on the high-traffic Interstate 40 corridor. Buc-ee's co-founder and co-owner Arch "Beaver" Aplin III cited the business-friendly environment, the strategic location, and the absence of a Buc-ee's within the region as prime reasons for the decision to build, as stated in an interview with The Commercial Appeal.
Furthermore, the travel center chain has pledged to offer competitive wages, with opportunities to earn up to $38 per hour. The enduring appeal of Buc-ee's signature products, like Beaver Nuggets and freshly made brisket sandwiches, is expected to draw a steady stream of customers to the new location, a roughly 40-minute drive from Downtown Memphis. Job creation and consumer satisfaction seem poised to converge as key elements of the Buc-ee's Fayette County presence, as outlined in a report by Action News 5.
