rch Aplin III, who was born in 1958, is best known for starting Buc-ee’s, the famous chain of travel centers known for their huge bathrooms that are always clean. By 2025, estimates of Aplin’s net worth are very different. Some say it’s over $300 million, while others say it could be as high as $1 billion. This shows how successful Buc-ee’s was and how hard it is to pinpoint the exact value of his assets. Aplin started Buc-ee’s in 1982 and grew it from a single store to a nationally known brand with a loyal following. He was born and raised in Texas and graduated from Texas A&M University.
His main source of wealth is his share of Buc-ee’s, a restaurant chain that has grown beyond Texas and become a mainstay of American road trips. Aplin is known for being good at business and having an entrepreneurial spirit. He is also known for being generous and having strong family values, though he usually keeps his personal life quiet. Aplin is still well-known in the business world, but his main goal is to grow Buc-ee’s and keep up its name for quality and customer service.
Social Profiles
Quick Bio
Field | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Arch “Beaver” Aplin III |
Birth Year | 1958 |
Age (2025) | 67 |
Nationality | American |
Profession | Entrepreneur, Businessman |
Famous For | Founder & CEO of Buc-ee’s |
Education | Texas A&M University |
Estimated Net Worth (2025) | $300 million – $1 billion |
Residence | Texas, USA |
Marital Status | Married |
Known For | Buc-ee’s travel centers, philanthropy |
Social Profiles |
Arch Aplin III Net Worth (2025)
- Estimated Net Worth (2025): The range for his estimated net worth in 2025 is $300 million to $1 billion, but most sites agree on $300 million. The value of Buc-ee’s is thought to be close to $1 billion.
- Sources of income: mainly Buc-ee’s business (75%), real estate assets (15%), and other investments (10%).
- Salary: Aplin’s salary isn’t made public, but as President and main owner, he makes a lot of money from business profits and investments.
Also Read More: Linda Blair Net Worth (2025), Age, Life insights and More
Income and Business Ventures of Arch Aplin III
Main Source of Income
- Buc-ee’s Empire: Arch Aplin III’s main source of wealth comes from owning and running the famous Buc-ee’s chain of gas stations and travel centers. In 1982, Buc-ee’s only had one store. Now, it has more than 57 locations in several states, with some stores being over 66,000 square feet and having hundreds of gas stations.
- Streams of Income: Buc-ee’s business plan is different from most convenience store chains because about two-thirds of its income comes from “inside” sales, which are goods and products sold inside the store, rather than fuel sales. There are branded snacks, unique foods, souvenirs, and a lot of Buc-ee’s gear in this category.
Other Business Ventures
- Land Investments: Aplin has put a lot of money into land investments, especially in the expensive land where Buc-ee’s stores are situated. These properties were carefully picked out because they are near major roads and areas with lots of people. They add a lot of value to his portfolio.
- Brand Partnerships and Licensing: The Buc-ee’s brand has grown to include products and licensing. The beaver mascot and other branded goods bring in extra money and keep customers coming back.
- Giving back to the community and starting educational businesses: In 2022, Aplin gave $50 million to Texas A&M University to build the Aplin Center, which will be a hands-on learning space for classes in food science, retail, and hospitality. This center also has food service and shopping areas that are run by students, which is another way that his business sense is used to help educate others.
Comparison with other Co-Celebrities
In 2025, Arch Aplin III’s net worth is expected to be between $1 billion and $2.5 billion. This would make him one of the richest businesspeople in the United States, though he is not as well known around the world as some other famous people. For some background, here’s how he stacks up against other famous billionaires:
Name | Estimated Net Worth (2025) | Main Source(s) of Wealth | Notability |
---|---|---|---|
Arch Aplin III | $1B–$2.5B | Buc-ee’s convenience store empire | Business, regional icon |
Taylor Swift | $1.1B–$1.3B | Music, touring, music catalog | Global pop superstar |
Jay-Z | $2.5B | Music, entertainment, investments | Rapper, entrepreneur |
Michael Jordan | $3B | Nike/Jordan Brand, NBA, investments | Basketball legend, brand mogul |
Rihanna | $1.4B | Fenty Beauty, music, fashion | Singer, entrepreneur |
Mark Cuban | $5B+ | Tech, sports, investments | Investor, Dallas Mavericks owner |
George Lucas | $5B+ | Star Wars franchise, film | Filmmaker, Lucasfilm founder |
Education and Early Career
- Degree: Texas A&M University Bachelor of Science in Construction Science, Class of 1980.
- Focus in School: building and running a business
- Early Business: Before opening Buc-ee’s, Aplin worked in construction, where he learned the importance of quality, efficiency, and paying close attention to detail. These are the values that would become central to his business strategy.
Arch Aplin III Family

They have five kids, Abbey-Elizabeth (also written as Anne-Elizabeth), Katherine, Hart, Lauren, and Joshua. Arch Aplin III is married to Joanie Aplin. The family lives in Lake Jackson, Texas, and Joanie is known as a helpful partner who is involved in the family business and community projects. Arch Jr. and Lorita Aplin were great businesspeople who shaped Aplin’s upbringing. They were especially good at construction and real estate, which set him on the path to becoming an entrepreneur. Even though Aplin has a well-known business career, he is known for keeping his personal and family life quiet. He prefers to focus on his business successes and charitable work instead of his personal life.
He is also the grandfather of Ron Hidalgo, Nicole LeBoeuf, Joshua Dickerson, and other grandkids. The family is known to be close, but Arch Aplin III doesn’t talk much about his personal life or his family.
Political and Public Influence
- Board Position: Chairman of Texas Parks and Wildlife, board member at the Texas A&M Association of Former Students, member of the Lieutenant Governor’s Transportation Advisory Board, and chair of the ERCOT board selection group are some of the boards he serves on.
- Donations to politics: Big giver to Texas Republicans, giving more than $1 million to Governor Greg Abbott and other GOP leaders.
- Public Appointments: Governor Abbott put him on important state boards, which shows how influential he is in public policy and charity work.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does Arch Aplin III do?
This American businessman is Arch Aplin III. He is best known for starting and running Buc-ee’s, a famous chain of travel centers and convenience stores mostly in Texas.
How much money does Arch Aplin III have?
Arch Aplin III’s net worth is thought to be between $1 billion and $2.5 billion as of 2025. This is mostly because of how well and how quickly Buc-ee’s has grown.
How did Arch Aplin III start Buc-ee’s?
In 1982, Aplin opened the first Buc-ee’s, a small convenience store in Texas. His focus on cleanliness, the customer experience, and big stores helped the brand become famous across the area and the country.
Where does Arch Aplin III live?
Arch Aplin III lives with his family in Lake Jackson, Texas.
Does Arch Aplin III do charitable work?
Yes, Aplin is known for his charitable work. For example, he gave $50 million to Texas A&M University to build the Aplin Center, which helps teach students about dining, retail, and food science.
Conclusion
Arch Aplin III’s rise from a small-town Texas childhood to the head of a billion-dollar roadside business shows how important it is to have a vision, be tough, and always put the customer first. He had a huge effect on shopping, charity, and Texas society, and his financial and personal legacy keeps growing. Aplin is still a major figure in American business, even as Buc-ee’s grows and his influence grows. He is praised for his business sense, kindness, and the strong family values that made him successful.
Also Read More: Abigail hawk Net Worth (2025), Age , Husband and More