How Buc-ee's is building a ruthless rest-stop empire

Cheap gas, spotless restrooms, brisket sandwiches: Can't lose.

This trifecta may be the secret to success for Buc-ee's, the massive roadside rest stop chain with a beaver mascot and cult-like following.

Now with 56 locations across 13 states, the once-only-in-Texas mega-store is quickly building across the U.S. like an industrious beaver with 14 new locations.

Buc-ee's is transforming the look of the Great American rest stop with sprawling must-visit destinations that are less of a gas-and-go operation and more of an experience, per CNBC.

Beaver Nuggets galore

Even if you've never been to a Buc-ee's, you've probably seen videos of World Cup fans marveling at the spectacle.

Founded by Arch "Beaver" Aplin in 1982, Buc-ee's began with the promise of cheap ice and clean restrooms.

With new locations came larger footprints, walls of jerky, barbecue counters, housemade fudge, beaver-branded souvenirs, home decor, so many snacks — including the famous Beaver Nuggets (caramel-coated corn puffs) — and even buckets of bacon grease.

Buc-ee's snacks and merch have even inspired a secondary market.

The Texas-based chain takes pride in the "everything is bigger" mentality:

• World's largest convenience store at 75K square feet (Luling, TX).
• World's longest carwash with 255 feet (Katy, TX)
• Each store has ~100 gas pumps
• Estimated $50M to $100M annual revenue per store.
• Customers spend an average of $58.03 each visit.

Its gas is also famously cheaper than competitors and serves as a loss-leader to get people into the stores, which generate two-thirds of the revenue.

But don't expect to find any seats at Buc-ee's — grab your sugared nuts and get out.

It's not all fun and Beaver Nuggets

Other businesses have taken cues from Buc-ee's, creating massive travel centers — including Dolly Parton's Tennessean Travel Stop and Wally's — that emphasize food, merch, and entertainment, where gas is an afterthought.

But Buc-ee's isn't taking the competition lightly. In the past, the company has sued rivals like Bucky's and Chicks for alleged trademark infringement.

And now it's aggressively taking aim at other cartoon animal mascots. Though it's unclear who is confusing Mickey the Moose for Buc-ee the Beaver.

Meanwhile, Buc-ee's expansion plans have stirred up local resistance in Ohio, Virginia, Colorado, and elsewhere.

Not everyone is so easily won over by Beaver Nuggets and clean bathrooms.