Buc-ee's Fans Blast the Chain Over 'Comically Bad' and Controversial Mistake
Buc-ee's has earned a loyal following for its massive stores and attention to detail. That's exactly why one tiny marketing mistake has fans doing a double take.
The convenience store chain recently rolled out a flyer explaining a new payment procedure at its gas pumps. Customers using a credit or debit card are instructed to pay at the pump, while those paying with cash should have their pump number ready before heading inside. But it wasn't necessarily the policy that caught customers' attention-it was the artwork, which many think was AI generated.
Instead of using what appears to be an original illustration or a photo, the flyer features an image of a gas pump and the infamous beaver mascot that just looks off. Eagle-eyed fans also quickly spotted even more oddities hidden throughout the image.
One sticker on the illustrated gas pump reads, "Stop. Till Up. Pomp," while the octane labels display impossible fuel grades, including an 80 option that doesn't exist. Another pump label appears to show 87 with an upside-down 8, adding to the growing list of AI giveaways.
Bucees using AI on New Pump Policies
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"Comically bad for a company that is just so about their branding and image," one Reddit user wrote.
"Somewhere a graphic designer just lost his job to AI," another pointed out.
On Instagram, fans were also in agreement.
"I'll never understand why companies are now redoing signs and using AI when there has been such massive backlash against AI. Personally for me companies using AI that's a big red flag. I don't want to give them my money," one commented on a video of the flyer.
Another quipped, "So is the 80 or 85 gas cheaper? Never seen those options 👀."
Read More: Buc-ee's Announces 15 New Store Locations: Is One Opening Near You?
The criticism has left some customers scratching their heads, especially considering Buc-ee's isn't exactly a company strapped for cash.
Industry estimates place the Texas-based chain's annual revenue at roughly $2.5 billion, with individual travel centers believed to generate anywhere from $50 million to $100 million each year.
The AI controversy also comes not long after Buc-ee's made headlines for its eye-popping employee salaries. According to signage at many of the store's locations, some general managers can earn between $200,000 and $275,000+ annually without a college degree, while assistant general managers start at $125,000.
And while those generous wages earned plenty of praise online, now some customers are questioning why a company known for billion-dollar revenue and six-figure salaries appears to have relied on AI for a simple informational flyer instead of commissioning original artwork.
Related: Buc-ee's Fans Are Revealing Their Favorite Items at the Beloved Travel Stop
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This story was originally published July 17, 2026 at 11:21 AM.