The warehouse club wars just got a new front. BJ's Wholesale Club opens its first-ever Texas location on April 24 in Forney, a fast-growing suburb east of Dallas, and it's not tiptoeing into the market — it's launching with a $2-per-gallon gas promotion, $20 first-year memberships, and three more stores already in the pipeline.

The move marks BJ's entry into its 22nd state and the Dallas-Fort Worth metro, the fourth-largest metro area in the country. The 106,844-square-foot store at 11150 U.S. Highway 80 becomes BJ's 264th location and its 202nd with an attached gas station, which opened a week early on April 17.

The Pricing Play

BJ's is leading with price — specifically, gas. A one-day promotion on April 22 will offer members regular fuel at $2 per gallon, capped at 30 gallons, from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. In a state where driving is non-negotiable and gas prices have been elevated by the Iran conflict's impact on oil markets, that's a powerful first impression.

The introductory membership is equally aggressive: $20 for the first year (versus the standard rate), plus a 10-cent-per-gallon gas discount for six months post-opening. For context, Sam's Club just raised its annual membership to $60, and Costco's runs $65. BJ's is betting that once you drive to Forney and fill up your tank for less than anywhere else in the metro, you'll fill up your cart too.

"Our model of saving up to 25 percent off grocery store prices will appeal to the Dallas-Fort Worth region," CEO Bob Eddy said in a statement.

Why Texas, Why Now

Texas has long been warehouse club territory — Costco operates over 30 Texas locations, and Sam's Club (owned by Walmart, headquartered in neighboring Arkansas) has deep roots across the state. But BJ's sees opportunity in the gaps.

The company's East Coast density — concentrated across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic — has given it a strong grocery and fresh food reputation that it's now pushing into new geographies. The Forney store features a full-service deli, bakery, fresh produce department, and household essentials alongside general merchandise.

BJ's is also investing in digital services from day one, offering curbside pickup, same-day delivery, and its ExpressPay mobile app — capabilities that warehouse clubs have been racing to build out as younger shoppers demand more convenience from membership-based retail.

The Expansion Roadmap

Forney is just the beginning. BJ's has confirmed three additional Texas locations in Grand Prairie, Southwest Fort Worth, and Waxahachie — all in the DFW orbit. Nationally, the company plans to open nine new stores in 2026, according to Fast Company.

The community investment matters too. BJ's is backing the launch with a $25,000 grant to Forney Food Pantry, a move that mirrors the hyperlocal playbook that Aldi and H-E-B have used to build loyalty in new markets.

What It Means for the Warehouse Club Category

The U.S. warehouse club market has been one of retail's most resilient segments, thriving during both inflationary periods and economic downturns as consumers trade down from traditional grocery. Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's have all posted strong comparable sales growth over the past year.

BJ's entry into Texas adds genuine competitive pressure. The chain's differentiator has always been its acceptance of manufacturer coupons and its focus on smaller pack sizes relative to Costco — features that appeal to suburban families who want warehouse pricing without committing to 48-pack toilet paper.

For Texas shoppers who've only known Costco and Sam's Club, a third option just pulled into the parking lot. And it brought $2 gas.