Buc-ee's, the Texas-based travel center chain known for its sprawling stores and clean restrooms, broke ground Wednesday on a new location in San Marcos that is set to become one of the largest in the state.
The new Buc-ees will be situated at the southwest corner of Yarrington Road and Interstate 35, providing a major stop for travelers along the busy corridor.
"San Marcos has long been home to some very special characters," Mayor Jane Hughson said during the ceremony. "We're home to rattlers, bobcats, mermaids, and in years past even a swimming pig named Ralph. Today, we celebrate the newest addition — the beaver."
Hughson emphasized the economic benefits of the development, noting that the location will create more than 175 full-time jobs offering competitive wages and benefits.
"Buc-ee's is going to make a wonderful addition to San Marcos, Texas," she said. "I'd also like to note that their stormwater management and rainwater harvesting system reflects our shared commitment to sustainability and the environment."
Buc-ee’s founder and CEO Arch "Beaver" Aplin III expressed enthusiasm for the project, highlighting Texas as an ideal place for business.
"As you know, we've been building out of state a lot recently, but there's nothing like coming home to Texas," Aplin said. "There is no place I know, and we've been in quite a few states, that is as business-friendly and customer-friendly as right here in our home state."
Aplin praised San Marcos officials for their cooperation, describing the city as an "incredible community to work with."
"We like doing business in business-friendly communities because these projects are complicated, they're big, they're involved," he said. "When you come into a community with open arms, it says, 'We want Buc-ee's in our community,' then it just starts the right way."
Aplin noted that the southbound location on I-35 would likely employ more than 175 people, with wages he described as "game-changing" for the area.
"These won’t be just competitive wages, they'll be game-changing wages for this community," Aplin said. "We love to be a good member of the community."
Buc-ee's aims to draw in travelers and boost local commerce.
"Our job is to stop as many cars as we can traveling down Interstate 35 and have them shop in San Marcos," Aplin said. "If it happens here in San Marcos — if it happens in Hays County — then that's a benefit for this community, for the commerce to happen here."
The new Buc-ee's is slated to open in May 2026.
The project began its incentive process with the Greater San Marcos Partnership in October 2023. Plans for the 22-acre site include a $50 million, 74,000-square-foot facility featuring 120 fueling stations and capacity for electric vehicle charging. Other environmental features will include a rainwater reclamation system and oil/water separators for stormwater management. The site will also implement timed and light-sensing controls, with fully shielded, downward-facing exterior lighting.
Employees at the new location will start at a typical wage of $18 per hour, with benefits that include employer-sponsored health insurance after 60 days and a 401(k) plan with a 100% match up to six percent.
Local governments expect significant tax revenue from the project. The City of San Marcos projects collecting $5.9 million in property taxes over 15 years, with Hays County receiving $2.8 million and Hays Consolidated Independent School District gaining $11.4 million. The City also anticipates $3.2 million in net sales tax revenue.