The Adorable Story Behind How Buc-Ee's Got Its Iconic Name And Mascot

Buc-ee's didn't begin as the gas station equivalent of Disneyland. Back in 1982, it was just one modest store in Lake Jackson, Texas — 3,000 square feet of brass ceiling fans, cedar accents, and a young founder who had big ideas and a soft spot for his dog. Arch Aplin III, just out of college, with retail in his blood, named the store after Buck, his Labrador retriever, and his own childhood nickname, "Bucky Beaver," which was also the moniker of the cartoon spokes-animal for Ipana Toothpaste. The result was a gas station with a red-capped rodent mascot and a name no one could forget.

That blend of homegrown charm and intentional branding became Buc-ee's blueprint. Even in its early days, the store stood out, not just for its name but for its commitment to cleanliness and customer comfort. Aplin wasn't building another dusty roadside stop; He was creating something slightly more curated. Locals started to notice. Then, they started to return.

As fast food mascots became shorthand for corporate gimmicks, Buc-ee's beaver was steadily becoming a Texas icon, not because he sold burgers but because he looked good on everything from barbecue sauce to beach towels. And as the store's footprint grew, so did the legend.

Buc-ee's may have started small, but it didn't stay that way. The turning point came in 2012, when a 56,000-square-foot location opened in Bastrop, Texas, a rest stop so sprawling it could fit a small grocery store inside. Years earlier, Arch Aplin teamed up with business partner Don Wasek, and the duo created a formula that worked: spotless restrooms, cheap ice, and kitchens churning out everything from breakfast tacos to doughnuts. In other words, eating at Buc-ee's became part of many travelers' plans, not just a roadside break.

Part of what keeps people coming back (and pulling over) is the experience. Buc-ee's doesn't cater to truckers; Signs at the entrance make that clear. Instead, its massive parking lots and sprawling aisles are for everyday travelers looking to fuel up, stretch out, and stockpile snacks — and not just any snacks. For loyalists, the iconic beaver nuggets, puffed corn dusted with caramel, are practically a requirement, as are the brisket sandwiches, sliced fresh on a hot chopping block while you watch.

People don't just leave with snacks. They leave with shirts, mugs, and keychains, all featuring that red-capped beaver. Now, nearly 50 locations and seven states later, the beaver has officially gone national.