City of Benton announces more details for Buc-ee’s grand opening August 17th

The City of Benton has officially confirmed the long-awaited grand opening details of its new Buc-ee’s Travel Center. Read more below.

GRAND OPENING

The popular convenience store chain will open its doors to the public on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026 at 6 a.m. at the new location, 1400 Highway 229 in Benton. At 10:00 a.m., the store will host an official ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The public is invited to all events. City officials expect a massive turnout for the public event, noting it marks a milestone they have anticipated for nearly two years. Organizers plan to reveal more details about the grand opening celebration in the coming weeks.

WHAT IS BUC-EE’S

Buc-ee’s is known for its massive store size, super clean restrooms, and scores of fuel pumps, as well as brisket, Beaver Nuggets, jerky walls, bakery, nuts and fudge choices. In addition, Buc-ee’s has boutique shopping, with home decor, apparel, gifts, and of course Buc-ee’s merch. Outside of the store, locations will vary on what they offer, but one boasts the Guiness World Record for longest car wash. Others may have a large picnic area.

The new Buc-ee’s travel center in Benton, Arkansas, will feature 120 fueling positions and 25 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. It will feature approximately 75,000 square feet of retail space.

IMPACT

The new Buc-ee’s travel center is projected to have a significant economic impact on Benton and Saline County through extensive job creation and a major boost in local tourism.

The project is expected to become a major driver of local tourism, with estimates suggesting the travel center will attract 5 million visitors annually.

The massive scale of the facility is designed to capture a high volume of travelers passing between Little Rock, Hot Springs, and other destinations.

The facility will generate between 200 and 250 full-time jobs for the community. These positions will offer starting wages well above the minimum wage, alongside comprehensive benefits that include a 6% matching 401(k) and three weeks of paid vacation.

JOBS EVENT

To ensure the store is fully staffed for opening day, Buc-ee’s will hold interview sessions from July 7-9, running from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The hiring event takes place at the Embassy Suites at 11301 Financial Centre Parkway in Little Rock, rather than the active construction site in Benton.

Buc-ee’s is actively recruiting for a variety of roles, including cashiers, deli and foodservice staff, grocery associates, gift department staff, and janitorial crews. Job seekers must apply online at www.buc-ees.com prior to the event, as interviews are strictly by invitation only.

The travel center chain offers starting wages between $20 and $25 per hour, well above the retail industry average. Full-time employees also receive a robust benefits package that features weekly pay, medical, dental, and vision insurance, and a 100% 401(k) match on up to 6% of contributions. Additionally, workers earn three weeks of paid time off, which they can use, cash out, or roll over into the next year.

Buc-ee’s maintains strict workplace standards for all employees. The company enforces an “ink-free” zone policy requiring workers to fully cover any visible tattoos while on shift. Grooming standards limit employees to one earring per earlobe, and the chain maintains a zero-tolerance policy for lateness, mandating that employees always arrive on time or early.