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Buc-ee’s Picks Kansas City Location for Gargantuan Gas Station Convenience Chain With Cult-like Following Touts World's Largest Gas Stations

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Above image credit: Cars and trucks fuel up at Buc-ee's gas station and convenience store on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Sevierville, Tenn. (Charles Sykes via AP)
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2 minute read

Obsessive, almost cult-like fans of gargantuan Buc-ee’s travel centers have been waiting to learn where the company might build its first store in Kansas City. 

Now we know. 

The Texas-based chain of supersize gas station-convenience stores has submitted a preliminary plat — a map of the layout, design and other pertinent facts about the proposal — to the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. 

The site is at the northeast corner of 110th Street and Interstate 70, next to the Kansas Speedway and The Legends Outlets Kansas City. United Government planning staffers are expected to analyze Buc-ee’s proposal for the site and decide if there is adequate access to public infrastructure.  

Buc-ee’s officials declined to comment on proposed plans for the KCK location. 

The chain has developed an almost fanatical following for its large, clean restrooms, buck-toothed beaver mascot, 100-plus fuel pumps, and a wide variety of snacks.  

Items can include brisket egg tacos, jalapeno-cheddar kolaches, Beaver Nuggets (puffed corn with a special brown sugar coating), trail mixes, pecan cinnamon roll crunch popcorn and yogurt-dipped pretzels. 

The stores have fudge counters, a wall of beef jerky, and an extensive drink counter that includes its own sodas and flavored lemonades. 

Customers shop inside a Buc-ee's convenience store.
Customers shop inside the Buc-ee’s convenience store on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Sevierville, Tennessee. (Charles Sykes via AP)

Buc-ee’s was founded in Texas in 1982. It currently has 49 locations, including 35 in Texas, but none in Kansas. 

The company opened its first Missouri location, in Springfield, on Dec. 11, 2023. The Springfield store is 53,000 square feet with 120 fuel pumps, according to a Buc-ee’s spokesperson. 

Local real estate sources say Buc-ee’s likes to be on bustling interstates but in less-populated areas. A location in Kansas City, Kansas, would be a game-changer for the area, they said. 

Buc-ee’s may be most notable for the sheer enormity of its stores.

The biggest Buc-ee’s store, in Sevierville, Tennessee, is touted by the company as the world’s largest convenience store at 74,707 square feet. That’s nearly 30 times the size of the convenience store industry average of 2,500 square feet and rivals the size of supermarkets and discount stores.

A single Buc-ee’s can employ up to 250 people. Some store general managers can earn six-figure incomes. 

Facebook’s “Fans Of Buc-ee’s! Springfield, Mo.” has more than 38,000 members.

Comments include:

“We loved it. Best Brisket sandwich I’ve ever had and it was delicious.”

“Absolutely love the bulk jerky in the deli case. We bought 2 pounds when we were there.”

“They were very busy but everything is so organized, clean, and lines move fast.”

Flatland contributor Joyce Smith covered local restaurants and retail for nearly 40 years with The Kansas City Star. Follow her on X and Facebook at #JoyceKC, and Instagram and Threads at #joyceinkc.


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13 thoughts on “Buc-ee’s Picks Kansas City Location for Gargantuan Gas Station

  1. No I love to get a load there I’m a truck driver I would love to get a load there and park it outside and just drop all their stuff on the floor and say come get it come get It on The ground like a bunch of rats like you try to treat us if you’re a truck driver and you dare to deliver anything to any bucceye however you say there’s stupid name store you’re a traitor and you deserve to be there cuz they won’t let you even use the bathroom

  2. KANSAS CITY, MO (KC, KCMO, KANSAS CITY)

    KANSAS CITY, KS (KS)

    PLEASE DISTINGUISH THAT THESE ARE 2 DIFFERENT STATES.

    STOP CONFUSING PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT FROM AROUND THOSE PARTS.

  3. All the general managers and deli managers make well over 6 figures in the company. I work there. They have all the salaries posted on a giant bulletin board outside and inside the entrance of the store. The hourly assistant managers often make 6 figures by the end of the year as well.

  4. here we lose farm land for more industrial development and ppl cry. ppl say where will we live. Farm land is for new ind, park corporations are paying way to much too get a whole block under their control. Then let go to the worlds largest gas station , it will be fun .

  5. Love this chain! I’ve not been to one of your locations in a few years. Every time I would visit family in Texas always stopped at Bucees!
    How would one apply for job opportunities in the new Kansas City location?

  6. Does Buckee’s have a mail order system. I had the Jerky and BBQ sauce while we were at the Springfield store. Really like to get some more but hate the 300-mile trip.

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