For many Americans who grew up in the mid-20th century, Stuckey’s teal-tile-roofed roadside stores were sort of the Buc-ee’s of their time, full of quirky souvenirs, snacks (the company’s branded pecan log rolls being especially popular), and a sense of adventure.
But by the early 1980s, in part due to societal shifts in traveling habits, the iconic American road trip staple had dwindled from hundreds of bustling stores to just a few. The Stuckey family sold the business, later re-acquired it, and in 2019 decided again to sell what was left.
That’s when Stephanie Stuckey, granddaughter of company founder W.S. Stuckey Sr., stepped in. A lawyer who specialized in environmental issues and a former member of the Georgia House of Representatives, Stuckey and some partners purchased the business that bears her name.
She became CEO, accelerated the company’s rebuilding plan, and published a book, UnStuck: Rebirth of an American Icon. In recent years, both The New York Times and The Washington Post have featured Stuckey, highlighting her efforts to revive the family brand.
Stuckey will share her story on Thursday, Sept. 18, during Middle Georgia State University’s (MGA’s) second annual Jennings Family Distinguished Lecture Series. Her talk, titled The Sweet Comeback: Reviving Stuckey’s Through Entrepreneurial Grit, begins at 7 p.m. in the Hatcher Conference Center on the Macon Campus. A reception precedes the lecture at 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Reservations encouraged: igfn.us/f/5aym/n
Learn more about Stuckey’s story.
