Buc-ee’s is a very large gas station chain that offers car washes, barbecue stands, bakeries and other features that go well beyond the average gas station. They are also busy places. For example, officials in Daytona Beach, Florida, found that a 53,000-square-foot location in the city received more than 5 million visits in one year (via Daytona Beach News-Journal). That’s not even the largest Buc-ee’s in the world, at over 70,000 square feet.
But what is it really like to work at Buc-ee’s? Most visitors probably won’t think about this, focusing instead on the famously clean bathrooms or the freshly cooked barbecue. In a company where almost everything is larger than life, it only makes sense that the pay is equally exorbitant. It’s true that Buc-ee’s is known for its above-average wages.
In the United States, the average hourly salary for gas station workers is about $15 (from Indeed). That’s roughly double the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. Meanwhile, positions such as cashiers, janitors and grocery store workers start at $17 or $18 an hour (depending on location), according to Buc-ee’s. People in more specialized jobs, such as food service workers and car wash attendants, earn $21 an hour. Some shift managers make $24 an hour.
Read more: What happened to Papa John’s founder John Schnatter?
At Buc-ee’s, most management positions are paid on a salary basis rather than an hourly basis. At the top of a store, a general manager can earn up to $250,000. But if that sounds like an easy, cushy job, not so fast. It requires at least five years of retail management experience, and a general manager needs to be on call 24/7. That’s because Buc-ee’s locations are open 24/7.
Buc-ee’s employees also receive three weeks of paid time off each year, as well as medical, dental and vision insurance, and a 401k match of up to 6%. The company also said promotion opportunities are available to existing employees. This is part of Buc-ee’s strategy, according to company leadership. “The compensation plan is very generous, not just at the hourly level,” Jeff Nadalo, Buc-ee’s general counsel, told the Chron. “But it has actually been an incentive for people to grow their careers there, and that’s reflected in our general managers making over $225,000 a year.”
Buc-ee’s salary is not only higher than other similar companies, but also a source of pride for the company. Buc-ee’s posts wages and benefits prominently on signage in its stores. Competition for these positions is fierce, but with approximately 250 employees at each location, there are many vacancies.
For more great food and drink, join our newsletter and add us as your go-to search source. Get taste tests, food and drink news, deals on your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more!
Read the original article about Mashed.
