Why Did Buc-ee‘s Stop Selling RTIC Coolers? A Detailed Guide

Buc-ee‘s, the popular Texas-based convenience store chain, was once one of the major retailers of RTIC coolers and products – until suddenly they weren‘t. So what happened between this Texas powerhouse and one of the biggest names in affordable coolers?

This guide will explore the history between Buc-ee‘s and RTIC, the speculated reasons why Buc-ee‘s dropped RTIC from their stores, and the impacts felt on both companies. We‘ll also provide key background on RTIC as a brand and how its coolers compare against competitors like YETI. Read on for a comprehensive overview of the Buc-ee‘s and RTIC saga.

Overview of Buc-ee‘s History and Stores

Before diving specifically into the RTIC partnership, it‘s helpful to understand the Buc-ee‘s empire. Founded in 1982, Buc-ee‘s is the ultimate Texas road trip stop – hugely popular for its pristine bathrooms, cheap gas, and seemingly endless snacks, jerky, and Lone Star State merchandise.

With 38 locations throughout Texas, Buc-ee‘s stores are enormous, averaging over 50,000 square feet. Each one aims to be a one-stop shop, carrying everything from fresh food and coffee to camping supplies and beach gear. Buc-ee‘s has a cult following, with tourists and locals alike willing to stop by even if they aren‘t buying gas.

Part of Buc-ee‘s appeal has always been the wide, rotating selection of merchandise catered to Texans. The stores carry all manner of local jerky, hot sauces, craft beers – and yes, coolers.

The Rise of RTIC Coolers

RTIC Coolers exploded onto the scene in 2014, establishing themselves as a direct-to-consumer brand specializing in affordable rotationally-molded coolers. They quickly became known for high quality construction and performance rivalling premium brands like YETI, but at a fraction of the price.

Made in the USA, RTIC coolers captured a strong share of the market by offering sizes ranging from soft-sided 20 quart models to massive 145 quart heavy duty chests. They also expanded into drinkware, bags, and other outdoor gear.

As a Texas-based company, it didn‘t take long for RTIC products to end up at Buc-ee‘s locations across the state. By 2016, you could find RTIC‘s signature range of hard and soft coolers prominently displayed – a win-win for both brands.

Buc-ee‘s Stops Selling RTIC – Why?

In October 2018, shocking news hit the cooler world – Buc-ee‘s would immediately stop selling all RTIC products at all locations. No formal announcement was made by Buc-ee‘s about their decision or reasoning.

However, the move coincided closely with RTIC‘s acquisition by YETI, one of the largest and most prestigious cooler companies. Speculation emerged that Buc-ee‘s decision was tied to the YETI buy-out. But why would acquiring RTIC lead Buc-ee‘s to ditch them entirely?

The YETI Connection

While never confirmed, experts believe Buc-ee‘s decision stemmed from YETI‘s ownership of RTIC posing a conflict of interest. It created competition between two of Buc-ee‘s most prominent brands.

YETI claimed over 60% of the premium cooler market by 2018. As RTIC was acquired as a lower-cost subsidiary, YETI could potentially undercut competitors like Buc-ee‘s on pricing with the RTIC brand. Displaying and selling RTIC could also take attention away from mainline YETI models.

Rather than navigate this conflict, Buc-ee‘s elected to cut ties with RTIC entirely. But the move impacted both companies.

How the Decision Affected RTIC

Losing shelf space in 38 major Buc-ee‘s stores was a clear blow to RTIC‘s sales and availability. While RTIC had expanded to other retailers like HEB, Buc-ee‘s offered unmatched foot traffic and prominence.

However, RTIC has continued to expand overall, announcing 22,000 new retail locations in 2020. Integrating with YETI has helped RTIC gain distribution even without their former Buc-ee‘s deal.

Today, you can find RTIC coolers at stores like Academy Sports, Kroger, Bass Pro Shops, and more. They also operate an online direct sales portal with options for customization. While no longer in Buc-ee‘s, RTIC seems unfazed by the loss.

What Coolers Does Buc-ee‘s Sell Now?

In place of RTIC, Buc-ee‘s began prominently featuring other cooler brands – likely aiming to avoid giving more exposure to YETI. Top replacement options include:

• Orion Coolers: A Texas-made high-end rotomolded cooler company that produces chests from 25-85 quarts. Similar quality to YETI.

• Orca Coolers: An American company offering mid-to-high end coolers from 20-140+ quarts focusing on rugged durability.

• Pelican Coolers: Known for pioneering molded cooler technology and extreme ice retention up to 10 days. Made in the USA.

Buc-ee‘s also continues to sell Igloo coolers for budget-focused shoppers. Between these brands, they offer options across price points and sizes without RTIC.

Key Differences Between RTIC and YETI

While RTIC is now owned by YETI, there are still some differences between the brands:

• Pricing: RTIC maintains slightly lower prices, though gaps have closed with YETI lowering costs.

• Performance: RTIC matches most of YETI‘s ice retention capabilities, only losing roughly 10-15% faster.

• Design: YETI offers far more color and customization options compared to RTIC‘s lineups.

• Sizes: RTIC has a wider range of sizes from 20 quarts up to 145 quarts compared to YETI‘s range from 19 quarts to only 105 quarts.

• Origin: RTIC still advertises a 100% American made focus while YETI has moved some production overseas.

Overall, while owned by the premium leader YETI, RTIC continues to disrupt the market in its own way – but Texas shoppers now need to look beyond Buc-ee‘s for these cost-effective coolers.

Is RTIC Really Made in the USA?

Unlike some brands that vaguely boast "designed in the USA", RTIC ensures its entire manufacturing and sourcing process occurs on American soil and facilities. Their plastic rotomolding takes place in Iowa and Oklahoma using US-sourced raw materials.

All cooler parts like insulation, hardware, and accessories are also made by vendors located throughout the USA. Even after the YETI acquisition, RTIC maintains its American-made identity. They advertise 100% US manufacturing prominently in their marketing.

For Texans, buying from an American brand likely makes RTIC even more appealing. But the coolers aren‘t available at the once-texan Buc-ee‘s anymore.

How Does RTIC‘s Cooler Performance Stack Up?

RTIC emphasizes ice retention as one of their key strengths – claiming up to 10 days of cooling power across their roto-molded hard cooler models. Their unique freezer-grade gasket provides an air-tight seal while 2-3 inches of special insulation maximizes cold holding abilities.

In multiple ice retention challenges and reviews, RTIC coolers reliably match up closely against premium competitors:

• Good Housekeeping: RTIC 65qt kept ice 7 days vs. YETI Tundra 65‘s 8 days in a controlled test.

• The Cooler Zone: RTIC 45qt saw 6.5 days of ice vs. 7.5 days for the YETI Tundra 45.

• ThrillAppeal: RTIC retained ice for over 5 days in 100+ degree heat.

While not always best-in-class, RTIC delivers ice retention on par with far more expensive options. The differences are slight enough that most users will never notice. Overall, RTIC coolers deliver premium performance despite bargain pricing.

Using Dry Ice in an RTIC Cooler

For extreme cooling needs like week-plus camping trips, many RTIC owners turn to dry ice in their coolers. RTIC‘s thick insulation and tight sealing perform even better with dry ice‘s colder -109F temperatures.

RTIC‘s hard-sided models can maintain dry ice 2-4 days on average. To maximize dry ice retention:

• Pre-chill the cooler with regular ice first.
• Use 5-10 pounds of dry ice per day of the trip.
• Keep the cooler in a cool, shaded area when possible.
• Avoid opening the lid frequently.
• Wrap dry ice in newspaper or towels to prevent freezing.

With proper prep and loading, dry ice makes it possible to keep RTIC coolers ice-cold for 4+ days – putting even the most premium coolers to shame. While no longer at Buc-ee‘s, RTIC still delivers impressive versatility and performance for all your chilling needs.

Why Can‘t Truckers Stop at Buc-ee‘s Locations?

Buc-ee‘s stores are a beloved stop for road trippers across Texas. But RV drivers and truckers have likely noticed the lack of accommodation for large vehicles. So why are the huge stores off-limits?

There are a few key reasons Buc-ee‘s cannot allow overnight truck parking or provide amenities for rigs:

• Store Design: Most Buc-ee‘s are designed solely for passenger vehicle traffic flow. They lack larger parking spaces or easy circulation routes for massive vehicles.

• Local Laws: Many cities prohibit overnight truck parking to avoid loitering. Buc-ee‘s could face issues by providing sleep areas.

• Inconsistent Demand: With fluctuating truck volumes, they cannot justify dedicating land for low-use trucking facilities.

• Operating Hours: Unlike 24/7 truck stops, Buc-ee‘s locations close overnight, preventing parking.

• Focus on Cars: Buc-ee‘s niche focuses on serving Texas roadtrippers and cars primarily. Limited truck needs are lower priority.

In short, Buc-ee‘s is designed for Texans hauling BBQ, not 18-wheelers hauling freight. Truckers will need to plan their stops and parking elsewhere along their route through the Lone Star State.

Who Are Buc-ee‘s Biggest Competitors?

For Texans, Buc-ee’s reigns supreme. But they compete in a wider market of gas stations and travel centers across America. Two of their closest rivals are:

Pilot Flying J

Pilot Flying J is the nation’s largest network of fuel stops and convenience stores located along highways. Like Buc-ee’s, they blend fuel, food, and retail. Pilot Flying J boasts over 750 locations compared to Buc-ee‘s small Texas-centered fleet. With its truck stop facilities and focus on travelers of all kinds, Pilot Flying J caters to a wider audience than Buc-ees’ regional sites.

Wawa

This East-Coast chain offers a similar vibe to Buc-ee’s with emphasis on food, beverages, and convenience. Wawa locations provide popular specialty drinks, sandwiches, and snacks along with gas pumps outside. With around 900 total stores, Wawa has more reach but only along the Mid-Atlantic and Florida compared to Buc-ee’s Texas stronghold.

While these chains compete for drivers across America, none can match the legendary status Buc-ee’s enjoys across its home state – even without selling RTIC coolers anymore.

Buc-ee‘s Ice Coolers, Capacity, and More

When it comes to keeping drinks, bait, and other perishables cold, Buc-ee‘s has Texans covered with an enormous ice cooler selection. Some of the options available include:

• Small Igloo Playmate Coolers (16 qt capacity) – Perfect for your personal drinks for a day out.

• Cube-Shaped Chest Coolers (up to 34 qt capacity) – Ideal for keeping a week‘s worth of lunches chilled or use as a bait chest on your boat. Stackable shape saves space.

• Orca Hard Sided Coolers (from 26 – 75 qt capacity) – High-end coolers with integrated bottle openers, cargo nets, and long ice retention. Made in the USA.

• Large Rectangular Coolers (up to 100 qt capacity) – Great for huge blocks of ice to store lots of drinks and foods for gatherings, parties, or catering.

• Commercial Ice Chests (up to 200 qt capacity) – Designed for fisherman, outdoorsman, and pros who need maximum ice capacity and durability.

No matter what size or type of cooler you need, you‘re sure to find it (along with bags of ice) at Buc-ee‘s 40+ store locations across Texas. While one popular cooler may no longer be on their shelves, the selection is still unmatched.

So next time you‘re planning a Texas barbecue, roadtripping to the beach, or just need a cooler for a picnic, remember that Buc-ee‘s is your one-stop shop. With the info in this guide, you now know the history behind Buc-ee‘s cutting ties with one of the state‘s biggest brands, and have the scoop on all the great cooler options they still carry. Y‘all stay cool out there and happy camping!