Buc-ee's: Where the Smiles Are Mandatory... But the Teeth Are Optional
Why is Buc-ee's so revered? And why are we so obsessed? Despite rivals like Philly's Wawa or the Midwest's Kwik Trip having their own followings, there's a certain je ne sais quoi to the beaver-adorned corporation that trumps what other gas stations aspire to achieve—a mass hysteria that compels people to embark on road trips to the gas station.
Dare I say—no institution (including the U.S. government) is more American than Buc-ee's. Of course, some of the Americanisms include fresh brisket sandwiches, shameless logo merch, and the general sense of hyperconsumerism throughout the shopping experience. But these don't really solidify Buc-ee's standing. So to get to the bottom of this, I did what any engineering-school graduate would've done—I came up with a formula.
