Buc-ee’s sues Ohio mini-mart over beaver mascot as chain expands nationwide

Buc-ee’s filed a federal complaint on July 28 alleging that Beaver’s Mini Mart, a family-owned store in Beavercreek, Ohio, uses a smiling beaver logo, name and red-letter branding that could mislead consumers into thinking the two businesses are affiliated. The chain argues the similarity constitutes trademark infringement, unfair competition and deceptive trade practices.

The lawsuit is part of a broader pattern of litigation by Buc-ee’s, which has pursued at least ten federal actions since registering its trademarks in 2007 and 2010. Prior cases include a 2013 dispute with a Texas convenience store and a May filing against Teddy’s Market in Georgia, where Buc-ee’s claimed the two-syllable, “-eez” ending names could cause confusion.

Buc-ee’s expansion, now planning more than a dozen new locations across ten states through 2031, has increased the commercial value of its beaver mascot, a key element of its visual identity on signs, merchandise and store interiors. The company says protecting that identity is essential as it enters markets where many customers encounter the brand for the first time.

For smaller operators like Beaver’s Mini Mart, which has been in the community for over 20 years, the lawsuit raises significant financial considerations. Buc-ee’s seeks monetary damages, an injunction against further use of the disputed branding, and the destruction of infringing materials, while also requesting the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office deny related trademark applications. Local supporters have begun fundraising efforts to help the store cover legal costs.

The outcomes of these cases remain pending, but they illustrate how expanding brands may intensify enforcement of trademark rights, potentially impacting the resources and branding strategies of smaller businesses.