All Flavors Run Through Lubbock

Why Bahama Buck’s Loves the Hub City

When you walk into a Bahama Buck’s shop or its hometown headquarters in the Hub City, where owners Blake and Kippi Buchanan grew up, you’re immediately greeted with West Texas hospitality. That, and the Surf, Sun, Sno vibe curated long ago when the first shop opened off the Brownfield Highway back in 1990. Both of these things have stuck with the Bahama Buck’s brand for over 35 years and 120+ locations nationwide.  

“It is bringing people together, trying to help people find some joy in their day or be a joyful part of their day and be intentional with your guest at that time when they come,” Kippi explained.  

The idea of a mini vacation was unintentional. Bahama Buck’s began as a way to escape the heat that came with the landscaping business Blake owned with his brother after seeing an ad for a shaved ice machine. Blake said that after a lot of spit and grit, a move to Arizona and experiencing a lot of growth out West, the pair decided to plant some roots in their hometown. Around 2002, with help from what would become the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance, Bahama Buck’s was headquartered in Lubbock.  

While locations have continued popping up around the country, the company has developed a great deal in other areas, too. The Buchanans said being here in the Hub City has pushed them towards innovation and creativity, especially when it comes to the behind-the-scenes of making it all happen. From the flavor and toppings on your Sno to the cup it comes in and the color-changing spoon you eat it with, every step of its creation happened in Lubbock, Texas.  

“This is where everything is researched, developed, packaged and sent to our franchisees,” Blake said.  

The Buchanans said building up the logistics and manufacturing side of the company hasn’t come without its challenges. Still, they said it has been well worth it and helps give guests from Saint George, Utah to Bayamón, Puerto Rico the shared tropical experience that’s uniquely Bahama Buck’s. It also provides an opportunity to diversify and expand their workforce, which is important to the company. The pair explained that the structure truly gives employees a chance to climb the ranks from the Avalanche Crew to higher positions in the company over time.  

“We have not had any problems hiring,” Kippi said. “Retention’s great, and I think we get a great pool here in Lubbock, not just from the colleges, but the high schools, and then they grow into that career.” 

Having such a strong system here in Lubbock has also drawn a lot of people to the Hub City to work for Bahama Buck’s. The Buchanans said they’ve had quite a few employees who want to work for a big company but don’t enjoy the traffic, prices and other aspects of major metros. Lubbock and businesses like Bahama Buck’s have given them the best of both worlds.  

“There are people that are wanting to move here [to] get out of the big city, and so I’m like, ‘Yes, come on, you’re going to love it; it takes me 5 minutes to get to work,’” Kippi explained.  

Whether they’re talking with franchisees, potential employees or others who haven’t spent much time in the Hub City, the Buchanans said another huge asset to being headquartered in Lubbock is the kindness of West Texans. Being friendly, flavorful and fun is at the core of Bahama Buck’s; cultivating a kind, relational culture is part of all levels of the company. According to Blake, the hospitality baked into the Lubbock community helps make that happen and carries into each store they open, which he said really elevates their brand.  

“That’s the gift Lubbock has given to us,” he said. “It’s just the gift of hospitality and showing us how to do it better across the nation.” 

Improving and growth have been a gradual, nonstop effort for the couple and their company. That spit and grit it took to start Bahama Buck’s, and the joy it was built on, never left. Blake and Kippi said that while people often see the success, what really drives it are all the ups, downs and things they do when no one is looking. Although it’s not always easy, for them, it’s proof the American Dream is alive and well here in Lubbock, Texas.   

“Building a business is hard, and it just didn’t happen overnight,” Kippi said. “The thing is, if it did, we couldn’t have handled it. We weren’t ready. We had to grow that way and learn the things needed to learn to be where we are today.”