Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez, Tom Daykin and Claire Reid, Des Moines Register
Buc-ee's and its giant travel centers are planning a northern expansion, but one that skips right over Iowa in favor of Wisconsin.
Buc-ee's Ltd. wants to build a large gas station and convenience store in Oak Creek, Wisconsin -- creating the first Milwaukee-area location for the Texas-based chain.
That proposal surfaced as Buc-ee's faced delays in its planned first Wisconsin location near Madison.
The 74,000-square-foot Oak Creek convenience store would be open 24/7 and include approximately 120 fueling stations and is proposed for a 29.6-acre site, according to a report to the Oak Creek Plan Commission. The DeForest area store would be a similar size.
The Oak Creek site, now a farm, would need to be rezoned for retail use. Other steps in the approval process include changing the city's comprehensive land use plan.
The new Buc-ees location would likely attract around 100,000 visitors weekly when it opens in 2027.
Most business analysts would say Des Moines is one of the most competitive places for gas stations and convenience stores, said Jeff Lenard, vice president of the National Association of Convenience Stores.
When relocating, stores take into account the competition around them.
Iowa-based Casey's General Stores has more than 55 stores in the metro area. Kum & Go, which was based in Des Moines until selling to Maverik in 2023 has more than 40 stores. The area is also home to several QuikTrip stores and Kwik Star has been growing its presence in central Iowa. Each brand has its own dedicated fans.
On top of that, Buc-ees stores require a lot of land area. Many of its new travel center locations are around 75,000 square feet, nearly 30 times the size of the average gas station and convenience store. So, you'll typically find a Buc-ees in a less populous area, and between popular road trip destinations.
"You're not gonna have a Buc-ees right down the street from you," Lenard said.
For comparison, the Iowa 80 Truckstop in Walcott, which bills itself as the world's largest truckstop, is more than 130,000 square feet.
Officials with Buc-ee's did not respond to requests from the Register for comment on its future plans.
The Wisconsin Buc-ees stores would have more than 175 full-time employees earning an average minimum wage of $18 to $20 per hour, Buc-ee's previously said.
"This exciting development not only strengthens our position as a key hub for travelers but also brings new opportunities for local businesses and residents," Oak Creek Mayor Dan Bukiewicz, said in a statement.
While Buc-ees draws in jobs and travelers, Lenard said that one thing Iowans won't miss is our own beloved gas stations going out of business.
"Anyone selling gas within a 50-mile radius might see a loss in sales" when a Buc-ee's opens, Lenard said.
And we all know you don't go to Buc-ee's just for gas. Fast food and quick convenience stops could also see sales decline, Lenard said, as the "Buc-ees formula" is the opposite of most everything else you find down the road.
At Buc-ees, Lenard said, having to fill up a gas tank, go to the bathroom or grab snacks -- things that seem like chores -- become an experience. Typically, you spend less than 4 minutes in a gas station, Lenard said. At Buc-ee's, guests linger for half an hour.
"Not everybody can do Buc-ee's," Lenard said. "That requires an awful lot of land, plus somebody's already doing it pretty well."
The closest Buc-ee's to Des Moines is in Springfield, Missouri. The store, about 361 miles away, opened in December 2023 after more than a year of construction. The next closest is about 760 miles away in Crossville, Tennessee.
The proposed Madison-area store would be closer at about 305 miles away.
Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR.