It’s a brand that’s become a roadside legend, synonymous with sparkling restrooms, brisket sandwiches, and a beaver mascot grinning from every corner. But as Buc-ee’s prepares to open its first location in Ohio, the Texas-based travel center chain is facing a wave of scrutiny across the South. As of March 2026, nearly three dozen Buc-ee’s locations have received an “F” rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a development that’s left some fans and travelers scratching their heads.
According to the BBB, the failing grades stem from Buc-ee’s failure to respond to 88 customer complaints across stores in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Texas. The oldest of these unresolved complaints dates back to March 2023, with the most recent filed as recently as February 2026. The issues raised by customers are far from trivial, ranging from car wash malfunctions and faulty merchandise to disputed credit card charges and a lack of gluten-free food options. Some even cited frustration at leaving complaints on Buc-ee’s own website, only to be met with silence.
“BBB seeks and uses information directly from businesses and from public data sources,” the organization explains on its website, adding, “BBB ratings are not a guarantee of a business’s reliability or performance. BBB recommends that consumers consider a business’s BBB rating in addition to all other available information about the business.” The nonprofit grades businesses from A+ (the highest) to F (the lowest), with Buc-ee’s currently sitting at the bottom rung for 38 of its locations as of March 11, 2026, according to USA Today and Gray News.
For many travelers, Buc-ee’s is more than a pit stop. Since its founding in 1982 by Arch “Beaver” Aplin in Clute, Texas, the chain has cultivated a cult-like following. The stores, open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, are known for their massive layouts, walls of jerky, bakery treats, and home decor, not to mention what GasBuddy.com once dubbed the cleanest restrooms in America. In 2024, USA Today’s 10Best named Buc-ee’s among the top ten best gas station brands and for food in the country.
Still, the BBB’s recent ratings have cast a shadow over that squeaky-clean reputation. In Alabama, for example, the Robertsdale and Auburn Buc-ee’s locations each have two separate listings on the BBB site, all carrying an “F” rating. The Athens store fares slightly better with a “C-.” In Georgia, the Fort Valley location at 7001 Russell Pkwy currently holds an “F” rating. Notably, the Buc-ee’s locations in St. Augustine and Daytona Beach, Florida, have no complaints filed with the BBB as of March 12, 2026.
The types of complaints vary but share a common thread: a lack of response. Customers have reported vehicles left parked at gas pumps due to insufficient parking, food temperature issues, and problems with customer service. Others mention car wash breakdowns, defective merchandise, and unexpected or incorrect credit card charges. “Several customers also said they filed a complaint on the Buc-ee’s website but had not heard anything back from the company,” reported USA Today. According to Gray News, Buc-ee’s officials indicated the company does not respond to complaints submitted through the BBB—a policy that may explain the mounting unresolved cases.
It’s not just the number of complaints that’s raising eyebrows, but their persistence. Of the 88 outstanding grievances, some have lingered for years, with the oldest dating to March 2023. In the last 12 months, the BBB said it closed 27 complaints, but the volume of unresolved cases has kept the failing grades in place for many locations.
For consumers, the BBB’s rating system is intended as a guide rather than a guarantee. Founded in 1912, the BBB aims to provide transparency about businesses to the public. It offers a paid accreditation program for businesses, allows for public reviews, and operates its letter-grade system based on complaint history and how disputes are handled. “BBB ratings are not a guarantee of a business’s reliability or performance,” the group reiterates on its website, “but are intended to help consumers make informed decisions when choosing where to spend their money.”
Despite the negative attention, Buc-ee’s continues to expand. The company currently operates 54 locations, with plans to open new stores in Fort Pierce, Florida, in 2027 and Ocala, Florida, in 2028. The Ohio opening is also underway, signaling that the chain’s growth ambitions remain undeterred by the recent ratings controversy.
Not every Buc-ee’s location has been tarred with the same brush. Of the 38 locations listed on the BBB website, 33 have “F” ratings, two hold “A” ratings, and two have a “C-.” Stores in Fort Worth, Texas, and Smith Grove, Kentucky, for example, received the highest marks, suggesting that customer experiences—and responses—can vary widely across the chain.
As for why Buc-ee’s has chosen not to engage with the BBB complaints, the company has not issued a public statement. When contacted by USA Today on March 11, 2026, for comment about the “F” rating, Buc-ee’s did not respond. According to Gray News, a Buc-ee’s official said the company does not respond to complaints submitted through the BBB, though no further explanation was provided.
It’s a tricky situation for a brand that’s built its reputation on exceeding expectations. For now, the BBB’s warning is clear: “BBB recommends that consumers consider a business’s BBB rating in addition to all other available information about the business.” For Buc-ee’s loyalists, the beaver-branded snacks and clean bathrooms may still outweigh the negative press. But for others, especially those who’ve filed complaints and heard nothing back, the “F” rating is a red flag that’s hard to ignore.
With new locations on the horizon and a fiercely loyal customer base, Buc-ee’s faces a choice: address the growing chorus of dissatisfied customers or risk letting its gold-star reputation slip away. For travelers hitting the highway, the next stop at Buc-ee’s might come with a side of skepticism—and a glance at the BBB grade before pulling in for that famous brisket sandwich.