How Buc-ee's mania is affecting a nearby Goodyear business

July 4, 2026 - 22:23

A small family-run hot sauce company in Goodyear is experiencing an unexpected surge in business, all thanks to the gravitational pull of a nearby Buc-ee's travel center. Ass Kickin' Products, founded in downtown Glendale in 1986 by owner Jeff Jacobs, originally started by manufacturing a few barbecue and hot sauces. Jacobs later met his wife, Linda, who joined him in running the operation.

The couple has watched their brand grow steadily over the decades, but the recent opening of the massive Buc-ee's location has introduced their fiery condiments to a whole new wave of customers. Travelers making the pilgrimage to the famous gas station and convenience store often wander into the Ass Kickin' factory store, located just a short drive away. Many are curious about local products after seeing the Buc-ee's crowds, and they leave with bottles of sauce they might never have discovered otherwise.

"We've definitely seen more out-of-state license plates in the parking lot," Jacobs said. "People come for the beaver, but they stay for the heat." The boost in foot traffic has been a welcome surprise, proving that even a mega-retailer can have a positive spillover effect on a small, independent business. For now, the Jacobs family is just happy to give travelers a taste of Arizona that packs a punch.