Buc-ees Gains World Cup Attention

Arch “Beaver” Aplin III ’80 likely never imagined his convenience stores garnering so much worldwide appeal when he opened the first Buc-ee’s in 1982. Droves of international soccer fans visiting the U.S. for the 2026 World Cup shared their joy at experiencing the store’s iconic clean restrooms, brisket and “beaver nuggets.”

“The outpouring of love and attention from traveling visitors for the World Cup has been humbling,” Aplin said. “It seems our friends abroad love Buc-ee’s, and we are quite proud of that.” 

Japanese fans were fascinated by the variety of food and items, noting they “spent too much” in this NBC News video.

One Swedish fan wore a cowboy hat he bought from Buc-ee’s in Houston during World Cup festivities.

Fans from the Netherlands found their way to Buc-ee’s on their famed Dutch orange bus and were charmed by the sheer size of and hospitality at the location they visited.

A visitor from France discussed how Buc-ee’s won him over.

There is one match remaining on Sunday, July 19, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.