Arch Aplin III opened Buc-ee’s, at 23 years old, with big ambitions to open in more than one location. 

His mother Lorita gave birth to him with his father Arch Jr., and he grew up working in his family businesses. On trips to see his grandparents in Harrisonburg, Arch III would fervently get to work pumping gas and working in the general store.

His father was in the construction business of building houses, churches, and apartments. He spent his teenage years working alongside his father and learned all he could about the home-building trade. 

Wanting to follow in his father’s footsteps, Arch III majored in building construction and received his Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M in 1980. However, he had bigger dreams. He thought he would go on to build skyscrapers. 

However, in 1982, Arch III decided to use an unused property at 899 Oyster Creek Drive to open up his convenience store.