Murfreesboro, TN - With a beaver-sized smile and a pair of custom cowboy boots emblazoned with the Buc-ee’s logo, Arch “Beaver” Aplin III stepped onto Tennessee soil Tuesday (10/14/2025) to break ground on what will soon become the state’s fourth Buc-ee’s Travel Center. The founder and CEO of the wildly popular Texas-based chain brought his signature warmth and hands-on leadership style to Murfreesboro, where local leaders, state officials, and a throng of fans gathered to celebrate the milestone.
The new Buc-ee’s will rise just off Interstate 24 at Joe B. Jackson Parkway, with a projected opening in the 4th quarter of 2026. Once complete, the 74,000-square-foot facility will boast 220 fuel pumps and create 250 full-time jobs, each offering competitive pay and benefits. But Tuesday’s event was about more than numbers — it was about community, connection, and a shared excitement for what’s to come.
He told WGNS how it started…
Aplin co-founded Buc-ee’s in 1982 in the small town of Clute, Texas. He addressed the crowd with heartfelt gratitude. “We don’t just build stores,” he said. “We build relationships. We become part of the community.” That spirit of hospitality has helped Buc-ee’s grow from a Lone Star staple into a national phenomenon — and now, a beloved fixture in Tennessee.
Among those welcoming Buc-ee’s was Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, who praised Murfreesboro for creating a truly welcoming attitude...
Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr echoed that sentiment…
Murfreesboro Vice Mayor Bill Shacklett added a personal touch to the celebration, sharing a conversation he had with his 3-year-old granddaughter. When asked what she planned to be this Halloween, she didn’t hesitate: “Buc-ee.” When offered alternatives like a princess or puppy dog--she firmly replied, “No, I will be Buc-ee!”--which drew laughter and applause, perfectly capturing the brand’s unique place in the hearts of fans young and old.
Before construction could begin, the city undertook a series of major infrastructure projects to prepare the site. The Elam Road Relocation was a critical first step, involving new asphalt and concrete to realign traffic patterns. The Tennessee Department of Transportation also scheduled lighting upgrades and ramp improvements at the Joe B. Jackson Parkway interchange, with completion expected by March 2026. Meanwhile, the Murfreesboro City Council approved a redesign of Butler Drive, adding a signalized intersection to ease congestion near the future store and surrounding industrial areas.
These improvements were essential to support the scale and scope of the new Buc-ee’s, which joins existing Tennessee locations in Crossville, Kodak, and an under-construction site in Clarksville. With Murfreesboro as the fourth location, Tennessee now ties Alabama for second place in Buc-ee’s presence outside of Texas — the brand’s home state and undisputed leader with more than 30 stores. Georgia follows closely behind with three.
As the ceremonial shovels turned dirt and the Buc-ee’s banner waved in the breeze, it was clear that Murfreesboro isn’t just getting a gas station — it’s gaining a destination. And if one determined little girl has anything to say about it, Buc-ee might just be the most popular Halloween costume in town.
