I disagree. Buc-ees wants people to stop, buy gas, buy food and drink, restroom stop, maybe buy a souvenir and then be on their way. If Buc-ees wanted people to hang out and make themselves comfortable they would have tables and chairs for people to sit and eat the food that they bought. They have no chairs meant for customer sitting -- only some to buy and take with you.
That's not been my experience at all. Every Buc-ees I've been to has a seating section of tables meant for this very thing. This section is located near where they are selling sandwhiches, ice cream, etc, and opposite where the store section is located. Maybe these are newer stores than the ones you've visited?
I’ve been to ~10 Buc-ees (although I prefer mom and pop places like Hruska’s/Czech Stop) and I don’t think I’ve ever noticed seating.
If you pass up Czech Stop for a Buc-ees, you should be tried for treason. At the least, driven to the border and asked not to come back.
Yeah I was thinking this too. It’s not the “chill and sip a coffee” experience, but for a stretch break on a long highway trip, Buc-ees is perfect. Interesting food, weird shopping, high quality people watching. Good place to walk around for 15-20 minutes (within the context of being on the side of a major highway).