The Sevierville Buc-ee’s just lost its accolade for being the biggest in the world
Well. It was good while it lasted. After roughly 11 months at the top, the Sevierville Buc-ee’s is no longer the largest convenience store in the world. That’s right, there’s a new largest Buc-ee’s in town. Although, I say that as more of an expression as this one is going to be located a few hundred miles away.
The Sevierville location has officially been bested by the newly opened travel center on I-10 in Luling, Texas. Initially, it appeared Luling would only have the record for a short time. But more recent reporting indicates the record will remain in Texas for a while longer.
Since it opened in June of 2023, the Sevierville Buc-ee’s could lay claim to being the largest in the world. A year later, it was bumped down to No. 2 by the new Buc-ee’s in Luling, Texas. The Sevier County location will fall to a tie for second when the Ocala, Florida location opens in 2025 or 2026.
The Buc-ee’s franchise
Buc-ee’s, part gas station part cult, is an oasis in the road trip desert. Offering above-average gas station food and snacks as well as plentiful clean bathroom stalls and – when legal – cheap gas. The Texas-based Buc-ee’s has become a sensation across the South with new locations popping up seemingly monthly. Buc-ee’s business model provides the right balance of necessity, quality and kitsch. It’s certainly an attractive stop on an otherwise long and dreary road trip. Buc-ee’s merch – featuring the franchise’s beaver mascot – is a hot item with seasonal clothing, blankets, cups and more flying off the shelf.
The franchise’s famous snacks – like Beaver nuggets and Buc-ee’s brand jerky – are extremely popular. And the food – especially the barbecue – is legitimately good. Add in a variety of baked goods, sandwiches and other favorites and Buc-ee’s is a multi-purpose rest stop.
About the Sevierville Buc-ee’s
Located at I-40’s Exit 407, the Sevierville Buc-ee’s is set at one of the busiest exits in the nation. The facility is 74,000 square feet and has an adjacent car wash. It has 120 gas pumps and large bathrooms. It opened with a bang and has – I would say – seen steady business ever since though it’s not as regularly crowded as I would have expected. There have been times that I’ve been there that it’s been a madhouse but other times that it was almost reasonable. I suppose the size has something to do with it.
There have been days I’ve had to work to get an available gas pump but nothing like some of the smaller Buc-ee’s I’ve visited in other states. We stopped at the St. Augustine, Florida Buc-ee’s earlier this month. A piddling 55,000 square foot store, it was overwhelmed despite there being another Buc-ees in Daytona Beach, about 50 miles away.
The new, bigger Buc-ee’s
On June 10, 2024, Buc-ee’s opened its newest location in Luling, Texas. It seems to me, that the Buc-ee’s powers-that-be have decided they want their record holder located in their home state of Texas where everything – I’m told – is bigger. The Sevierville location is 74,000 square feet with 120 gas pumps. The Luling location also has 120 gas pumps but its footprint is 75,000 square feet. Just enough to set the record.
It was originally reported that the Ocala Florida location would come in at a massive 80,000 square feet. However, a Buc-ee’s executive recently set the record straight. Buc-ee’s Director of Real Estate and Development Stan Beard told Fox53 Orlando the Ocala store would also be 74,000 square feet.
“Buc-ee’s is currently in the design and permitting phase for a 74,000 square foot store in Ocala, FL, which is our largest store model outside the State of Texas,” he said.
The Sevierville Buc-ee’s location is no longer the world record holder. But it appears that it has a place among the largest gas stations in the world. Buc-ee’s current corporate plan seems to be keeping Texas – which has 35 of the current 50 Buc-ee’s locations – as home to the record holder and building the 74,000-square-foot model and smaller outside of the state. In addition to the current 50, there are 13 further locations in development or under construction including locations in Western Ohio, Arizona and Wisconsin.
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