BENTON, Ark. — It's official!
Buc-ee's is coming to Saline County.
Buc-ee the beaver, the beloved mascot for the company, made a surprise appearance on Friday in front of thousands of fans at War Memorial Stadium right before the kickoff of the 2024 Salt Bowl.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders shared the big news in a video announcement that was shown at the game.
"It's been rumored for months, but it's time to make it official. Buc-ee's is coming to Arkansas and Saline County, right in the heart of our state will be its home. Arkansans and visitors won't have to leave our state to enjoy this must-visit pit stop," she said.
While the Friday night lights shined down on the stadium, those in attendance were greeted by the legendary Buc-ee the beaver.
After more than a year of planning, Buc-ees and the City of Benton finally made it to the finish line.
Benton Mayor Tom Farmer officially signed off on the deal this week.
"They [Buc-ee's] have signed all the contracts, and everyone else has signed what needs to be signed. They're still waiting on a slight permit, and they can't do anything until they get to permit. So we are still waiting on that. But right now, everything's ongoing," said Mayor Farmer.
As for when the city will get that permit, Mayor Farmer said it all depends on the Corps of Engineers, but from there, things will move quickly.
"Once they get the permit, they'll start the next day," Farmer said.
As for where Arkansans will be able to find the super-sized gas station when it opens in the Natural State— well, we have all the information you need to know.
The beloved store will be coming to Benton and will be found between exits 114 and 116 along I-30.
It’s a deal that’s been in the works for more than a year.
Rumors of Buc-ee’s coming to Arkansas started circulating last July when the Benton Advertising and Promotion Commission approved the purchase of land near the Haskell exit off Interstate 30.
That same month, CSMS Management, LLC., a real estate subsidiary of the Pearland, Texas-based chain, purchased the land, but Buc-ee’s would not initially confirm their involvement.
In April 2024, the city’s planning commission approved the site plan and utilities for the gas station at a meeting where representatives for Buc-ee’s were present.
Benton City Council members then met in July where they approved the installation of a traffic light at the intersection of Highway 229 and the future entrance of the store— officially naming it Buc-ee’s Boulevard.
The Arkansas Department of Transportation also released a map providing a visual of the change, and it included the Buc-ee’s logo.
On August 21, Benton’s attorney updated the Advertising and Promotion Commission on the deal and asked them to authorize the sale of the property.
From there, the commission approved the resolution and cleared the way for the city to finalize the deal.
The Benton location will be the first Buc-ee’s in Arkansas.
"This is a fantastic move for our county, for our city, for the citizens, but more importantly, for the state of Arkansas, because it's bigger than just Saline County," said Mayor Farmer as he announced the big news at the Salt Bowl.
"I'm so thankful to Buc-ee's for choosing Benton as their first home in Arkansas, you know, and to get the mascot here and the way the people's crowds, it's just amazing," he added.
As for an expected completion date, Mayor Farmer couldn't give us that answer yet, but the process is expected to move right along right after the city gets that one last permit.
