Since BigBoy’s first opened its doors more than 30 years ago, it’s become a staple of the Kenly, NC community, catering to locals and travelers alike with its signature southern hospitality. No matter who you are or where you’re headed, you’re part of the family at BigBoy’s.
Known for friendly service, clean facilities, fair prices, and smiling faces, BigBoy’s charms everyone who stops by. Over 30 years later, we’re still a family business, with the same dedication to service and care we’ve demonstrated since day one.
What Sets Us Apart
We recognize that truckers and travelers have many options on the highway. When customers choose BigBoy’s, we want to make sure they know how much we value their business by providing them with a terrific experience every time.
Quick & courteous service
While we want our customers to feel at home, we recognize that many are managing their time as they travel and need to get back on the road quickly.
A Variety of Offerings
We provide a wide range of convenience store and fuel options, including premium diesel, which yields better mileage and helps to improve the overall performance of diesel engines.
Cleanliness & Comfort
We are committed to providing clean facilities, showers, and restrooms so that our customers feel safe, comfortable, and “at home” at BigBoy’s.
At BigBoy’s Truckstop, we’re dedicated to delivering the highest-caliber service and unparalleled southern hospitality. Our mission, focus, and five core values reflect that dedication and serve as the foundation for everything we do. We are united in our mission to build a legacy of good stewardship & generosity for our community through small business.
The primary focus of BigBoy’s Truckstop is to provide truck drivers, travelers, and locals with an outstanding truckstop experience (food, fuel, restrooms, & service), complete with our hallmark southern hospitality.
Integrity
Respect
Service Oriented
Continuous Improvement
Community
Big Boy’s Through the Years
1970s
A Big Idea
Back in 1973, Big Boy didn’t know he was embarking on a business venture that would become his legacy. He just knew he wanted to try his hand at being his own boss. With help from his father, he bought a Gulf Service Station on Highway 301 in his hometown Lucama, in Wilson County, North Carolina.
When an opportunity came for Big Boy to buy another, larger store less than a mile away on that same highway, he jumped at the chance to expand. By the late 1970s, BigBoy’s teenaged sons, Walter Jr. and Robby, were working at both locations on the weekends. A true family business was born!
1980s
Diesel Trucks Arrive
In the early 1980s, I-95 was completed in Wilson County and traffic was routed away from Highway 301 in Lucama. Big Boy sold the businesses there and opened a Phillips 66 service station and truckstop in Selma, North Carolina. Expanding his business capacity to serve diesel trucks increased business, and though his sons were both serving away from home in the United States Air Force, BigBoy’s sister and nieces stepped up to help manage this new business venture
1990s
Opportunity Knocks
In 1990, a local banker, Frank Holden, approached Big Boy with another opportunity to bring his successful, family owned business strategy to Exit 105 in Kenly. Formerly Honeycutt’s Truckstop, the property was abandoned, and the local community was without a food-and-fuel hub. Frank thought Big Boy was the man for the job of restoring and reopening the location. A few months later, the business that would become a bigger opportunity to care for locals, travelers, and truckers alike opened its doors.
BigBoy’s sons and their families moved home in the early 90s to begin learning the business. Soon, it made sense to sell the business in Selma and focus on the new truckstop in Kenly. Norman Richardson leased the restaurant space from Big Boy and ran Stormin’ Norman’s restaurant for many years, with customers enjoying the homestyle buffet, eastern North Carolina-style barbeque, and late-night breakfast buffet.
2000s
Creating Community Connections
Ever since its earliest years, BigBoy’s has hosted annual customer appreciation events—known to locals as a Pig Pickin’.. All hands—both family and employees– were on deck to serve hundreds of customers throughout the day. It was a wonderful way to show appreciation to the community of folks that helped make BigBoy’s a success.
During this time, BigBoy’s was incredibly fortunate to be joined by many wonderful employees. The longer these employees worked, the more they felt like a part of the family. The business also began to be known as a staple of the Kenly community, known for its friendly service, fair prices, and clean facilities.
Today
Entering a New Era
BigBoy’s remains a family owned business to this day. Big Boy himself, who recently celebrated his 84th birthday, has stepped back from the day-to-day operations of the truckstop, but his many relatives have taken up the torch. And they have big things planned for BigBoy’s, including new signage, renovated facilities, an expanded parking area, and an updated website. The entire BigBoy’s family is excited for what the future has in store!