Buc-ee’s Expands Its Empire with World’s Largest Convenience Store Coming to Florida
Buc-ee’s, the beloved oversized travel center chain that has cultivated a passionate cult following across America, is set to shatter its own records with an ambitious new project in Florida. The company has filed plans to build what would become the world’s largest convenience store—a colossal 76,245-square-foot facility in Fort Pierce, Florida. This Texas-born phenomenon, which has transformed ordinary pit stops into destinations worth traveling for, submitted revised site plans and a building permit with St. Lucie County last November after receiving state approval in April. While final approval remains pending, the project represents Buc-ee’s boldest expansion move yet in its conquest of America’s highways and the hearts of travelers everywhere.
The planned Fort Pierce location will be strategically positioned at the intersection of Interstate 95 and Indrio Road, northwest of Fort Pierce and southwest of Vero Beach, making it easily accessible to both locals and the countless travelers who journey along Florida’s busy east coast corridor. Beyond its sheer size, the mammoth facility will boast 120 gas pumps and 18 electric vehicle charging stations, acknowledging the changing landscape of American transportation while maintaining the company’s commitment to serving all road travelers. The site plan also includes more than 700 parking spaces, highlighting Buc-ee’s understanding that its stores aren’t merely quick stops but destinations where people linger, shop, and sometimes even make special trips just to experience the unique Buc-ee’s atmosphere. This expansion reflects the company’s confidence that its “bigger is better” approach continues to resonate with American consumers.
The Fort Pierce location will narrowly edge out Buc-ee’s current record-holder in Luling, Texas, which measures 75,593 square feet and only opened its doors in June 2024. Prior to the Luling megastore, the title of largest Buc-ee’s belonged to a 74,000-square-foot location in Tennessee. This pattern of consistently building larger and more elaborate stores demonstrates the company’s commitment to pushing boundaries and redefining what a convenience store can be. The scale of these facilities stands in stark contrast to industry norms—typical 7-Eleven locations occupy merely 2,500 to 3,000 square feet, while competitors like Wawa and Sheetz generally range between 5,000 and 6,500 square feet. Buc-ee’s has effectively created an entirely new category that blends convenience store, roadside attraction, regional food destination, and massive retail space into a uniquely American experience.
Founded in Texas during the 1980s, Buc-ee’s has evolved from a local chain into a regional phenomenon that inspires road trips and merchandise collectors across multiple states. The company built its reputation on spotlessly clean bathrooms (often winning awards for their facilities), endless rows of gas pumps that minimize wait times, and a shopping experience that combines practical travel necessities with quirky souvenirs and regional delicacies. Buc-ee’s stores have become famous for their expansive jerky bars, homemade fudge, warm nuts, freshly made brisket sandwiches, and their mascot-emblazoned merchandise featuring Buc-ee the beaver. The chain has mastered the art of creating a consistent, high-quality experience that somehow maintains a sense of novelty and discovery with each visit, turning routine rest stops into memorable parts of any road trip.
While Buc-ee’s established its legendary status in Texas, where it remains a point of state pride, the company has strategically expanded beyond the Lone Star State in recent years, bringing its unique brand of roadside hospitality to new markets eager to experience what Texans have long treasured. The forthcoming Fort Pierce location will become Buc-ee’s fourth Florida store, joining existing locations in St. Augustine, Daytona Beach, and Ocala. This steady march across the Southeast represents Buc-ee’s carefully calculated growth strategy—targeting high-traffic corridors in states where road trip culture thrives and where travelers appreciate the combination of convenience, cleanliness, and quirky charm that defines the Buc-ee’s experience. The company typically selects locations along major interstate highways, ensuring a steady flow of both regular commuters and long-distance travelers.
As Buc-ee’s continues its expansion, the Fort Pierce megastore represents not just another location but a statement about the company’s vision for its future. While many retailers are scaling back physical footprints in favor of digital experiences, Buc-ee’s is doubling down on creating immersive, destination-worthy physical spaces that cannot be replicated online. The planned Florida store embodies the company’s understanding that modern travelers seek more than convenience—they want experiences, discoveries, and places that become part of their journey’s story. With its massive footprint, hundreds of employees, and thousands of products ranging from practical to whimsical, the forthcoming Fort Pierce Buc-ee’s will likely become not just the world’s largest convenience store but also a landmark destination that further cements the chain’s unique position in American roadside culture. For a company that has turned beaver-themed gas stations into tourism destinations, this record-breaking location represents both the culmination of past success and a bold step toward an even bigger future.
