Clash of the Titans in Tennessee: Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop

Dolly Parton sets the stage for epic competition with Buc-ee’s

It’s Ali vs Frazier. Yankees vs. Red Sox. It’s Godzilla vs Mothra. And now, it’s Tennessee vs. Texas.

Yes, there’s a brouhaha is brewing on the interstates of Tennessee. Queen Dolly Parton is prepping to take on the current King of convenience stores, Buc-ee’s for the hearts, minds and maybe the very souls of Tennessee travelers.

Parton and her new business partners have announced Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stops. It is an evolved travel experience that integrates modern amenities, curated dining and authentic regional retail with the approachable comfort travelers expect from both brands.

Sounds a lot like a Buc-ee’s, y’all. But instead of the Beaver, Dolly Parton will be on the merch, the branding, the billboard and everything else. Will there be Dolly Nuggets or better yet, Dolly’s Cinnamon Bread? The world is gonna find out in 2026.

Why would Dolly do this?

First of all, Buc-ee’s is making money hand over fist. And Dolly is a shrewd businesswoman from Sevier County where the ethos is: If you see somebody making money, copy their model and siphon off everything you can.

Look, this is a lot of Dolly’s model for Dollywood. She’s partnering with an existing property, lending her name and branding. She is giving a long-standing business a jolt of investment and brand awareness that you just can’t buy.

“I have spent the bulk of my life on the road, and more specifically on a bus,” states Dolly. “All the years spent visiting greasy spoon cafes, truck stops, and roadside pit stops have given me an understanding of what traveler’s desire on the road. Whether you are driving a truck, a bus, or a car, you want a place that feels like home and recharges you for the rest of your journey. I believe we will fill a void out there on the highways, all while bringing the heart and soul of Tennessee.”

I suspect they will be in the business of looking for places where Buc-ee’s hasn’t yet planted a flag. This could start a travel station arms race that would rival the United States versus the Soviet Union circa 1955-1990. That’s when “Rocky” ended the Cold War through the power of steroids and glistening.

Who is she partnering with and where will it be?

The Tennessean Travel Stop has been in its current location on I-65 in Cornersville, south of Nashville and 22 miles from the Alabama State Line. The massive place – founded in 1974 – was kind of Buc-ee’s before Buc-ee’s. It offers a sit-down southern restaurant and buffet featuring classic barbecue, and breakfast, lunch and dinner. There’s shopping, an ice cream and coffee shop and even hosts live music. There’s also a bar – but hopefully that’s for the passengers and not the drivers.

Again, this thing is massive and it’s perfectly located to be the flagship location. I-65 is heavily trafficked with people going to and from Nashville. The closest Buc-ee’s are over on I-40 in Crossville – about two and a half hours away – and in Athens, Alabama – which is about 45 minutes away. However, Dolly’s will have better proximity to Nashville traffic and its massive and growing population.

“The Tennessean has long been a ‘home away from home’ for truck drivers, travelers, and locals alike. Our roots in this community run deep – we’ve created jobs, built connection, and welcomed generations of people through our doors,” said Gregory H. Sachs, Chairman/CEO of the Tennessean Travel Stop and Sachs Capital Group. “This new partnership allows us to carry that legacy forward in a way that celebrates everything special about Tennessee. Together with Dolly and her team, we’re reimagining what a travel stop can be – transforming it into a warm, inviting destination where everyone feels welcome to slow down, kick up their feet, and stay awhile.”

Is it just the one location?

For now, but it sounds like Dolly – and the folks at Sachs Capital Group are ramping up to come for the king.

“The collaboration unites the trusted Tennessean Travel Stop brand – known for quality service and regional roots – with the cultural reach and unmistakable Tennessee spirit of Dolly Parton,” the press release said. “The first rebranded location will serve as both a proof of concept and flagship for future sites planned under the Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stops banner. Additional locations across Tennessee and beyond are set to be announced in 2026.

“The flagship location, which will remain open under renovation, will introduce an evolved travel experience that integrates modern amenities, curated dining, and authentic regional retail with the approachable comfort travelers expect from both brands. The partnership also signals a strategic investment in regional development, combining hospitality, retail, and entertainment elements to strengthen Tennessee’s tourism and infrastructure landscape.”

Did the marketing people lay it on a little thick in the press release?

You already know.

“Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stops will be more than a place to refuel – it’s about recharging the spirit,” said Danny Nozell, CEO of CTK Enterprises and long-time manager of Parton. “This project reflects Dolly’s love for her home state and her commitment to supporting local business, community, and the travelers who keep America moving.”

Where will future locations be?

I suspect announcements will be made soon. But I expect I-40 in West Tennessee to be a prime location. There’s a lot of traffic that runs between Nashville and Memphis and Buc-ee’s hasn’t put down any roots there. Also, any places with heavy interstate traffic where Buc-ee’s hasn’t yet located.

We speculated earlier this year that Asheville, N.C. might be a good spot with heavy traffic and an intersection of interstates. Buc-ee’s is working on opening a location in the state, but it’s a ways away. Virginia is also ripe for traffic stop plunder.

However, there’s another idea to consider. I was talking to a local developer last year about an acquaintance who’d made an obscene amount of money in the car wash business. Who knew? And the developer was working with a competitor who was placing carwashes across the street from the first guy’s spots. When asked why, he said “Wherever he goes, I want to be there.”

Maybe Dolly’s people aren’t thinking about avoiding Buc-ee’s but making consumers choose. They could put locations in Georgia slightly closer to Atlanta than Warner Robbins and Calhoun in an attempt to siphon off the outbound traffic.

The big question in my mind is, will Dolly want a spot in her home county? I’ve often joked about Buc-ee’s opening a second location across I-40 at exit 407 on the site of the former Smokies Stadium. What if the delay in the announcement about the future of that site is because Dolly Parton wants to put a truck stop there? Is it possible? I don’t know but it would be absolutely Epic. And they could partner with Dollywood, the Stampede and the dinner theaters for discounts. And also other promotions that would make many a traveler forget the Beaver ever existed.

Will Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop be better than Buc-ee’s?

I don’t know. My mom and step-dad used to live in Spring Hill and I’ve driven that stretch of I-65 but never stopped at the Travel Stop. I can’t speak to the quality of the dining experience or anything like that. I do know it will be a different experience with sit down dining, the bar and live music. Also, the Travel Stop will accept truckers, you know Dolly won’t allow discrimination against anyone.

Also, will Dolly and her partners make a deal with her other partners to all the Travel Stop to serve the cinnamon bread which is incredibly popular? The bread is actually a Silver Dollar City item that remained in the new park. I don’t know who has the rights to the recipe, the version at the Missouri Park is slightly different. But I imagine any legal hurdles could be worked out.

Dollywood’s Cinnamon bread kicks Beaver Nuggets in the, well, nuggets.

Are you excited about the new Dolly Travel Stop? Let us know what you think in the comments and on the socials!