Dive Brief:

• Buc-ee’s has received approval to rezone a 71-acre property in Goodyear, Arizona, as it plans to build its first travel center in the state, according to the Goodyear Planning and Zoning Commission.
• The commission unanimously approved Buc-ee’s rezoning request during its Jan. 17 hearing, about two months after the travel center chain submitted its proposal. The roughly 75,000-square-foot store will feature about 713 parking spots, according to the proposal.
• Buc-ee’s latest approval comes as the popular retailer continues its aggressive U.S. expansion, having already outlined its first locations in Virginia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Colorado, North Carolina and Ohio.

Dive Insight:

Buc-ee’s ambitious growth plans have made lots of noise over the past couple of years. Since expanding outside of its home state of Texas in 2019, the company has reached eight total states with several more in the works.

Arriving in Arizona won’t only continue Buc-ee’s rapid U.S. expansion, but will mark the chain’s westernmost location. The site is located at the southeast corner of North Bullard Avenue and Interstate 10, about 19 miles west of downtown Phoenix. Both Circle K and QuikTrip have several stores in the area.

The 71-acre property intended for Buc-ee’s next site is part of a greater piece of land that’s about 243 acres. The section of that 71 acres not used for Buc-ee’s will be used for industrial purposes, according to the proposal.

To increase the site’s vehicular connectivity, two new public streets will be constructed.

Founded in 1982, Lake Jackson, Texas-based Buc-ee’s operates 47 stores across Texas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri and South Carolina. Its stores have gained notoriety for their large, clean bathrooms, wide array of branded merchandise and proprietary food, including made-to-order sandwiches and fudge.