Let Summer Begin (At Buc-EEs!)

Have you been? Have you been in conversation about Buc-ee's, Ltd. ? Have you wondered how they do what they do and if they will start a learning academy like Zingerman’s (Ann Arbor, MI Deli) ZingTRAIN? What can you learn from Buc-EEs to apply to your workplace that makes employees and customers scurry to you.

This photo is of a friend’s family of teenagers happy (HAPPY!) to have their picture taken with Buc-EE the Beaver.

While working for my Dad’s cleaning service through high school and college, like Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang , cleaning A LOT of toilets, I worked at the grand opening of a Meijer Superstore as “Thrifty the Meijer Square Boy” AND as “Armor the Hot Dog.” I recall newsletter photos of me in costume dancing and holding kids for pictures – helping others with a positive spirit.

I’d like to think that I made the most of my work even then with a spirit of joy and heart for service instilled by my parents’ example.

?THAT’S what I have found at each Buc-EEs visit – big, clean (CLEAN!), comfortable restrooms along with plenty of choices and plenty of friendly staff. There may be a line of cars on the offramp to Buc-EEs, but there is no wait for the restrooms, the bakery, the deli, the fudge shop, the snacks. . . or to check out with engaged friendly cashier. There is no place to sit and eat – I suspect that that’s by design and people don’t seem to complain.

?As much as Buc-EEs may be A destination, it’s not THE destination. It though may be THE topic of conversation after a summer vacation.

• “We went to Buc-EEs. Have you been to Buc-EEs?”
• “They have 100 gas pumps – the prices are great”
• "The brisket is amazing”
• “There are lists of food items you have to try”
• “The restrooms are huge. Each stall is fully enclosed and clean”
• “They have art for sale in the restrooms.”

You get the idea. People are talking about it with enthusiasm. It’s not for everyone – not everyone likes Disney. Big clean restrooms and cinnamon rolls though COME ON!?!

Do people scurry to do business with you? What is your reputation? What can you learn from Buc-EEs?