Buc-ee’s is famous for enormous travel centers, clean restrooms, brisket sandwiches and its smiling beaver mascot. It has also developed a reputation for aggressively protecting that mascot and other elements of its brand through trademark lawsuits.
Over the years, Buc-ee’s Ltd. has sued convenience stores, merchandise sellers and other businesses whose names, logos or cartoon mascots it believes are too similar to its protected trademarks. The company has won some disputes, settled others and currently has several cases pending across the United States.
Buc-ee’s Sues Beaver’s Mini Mart in Ohio
One of the newest and most controversial cases was filed on July 28, 2026 against Hanes Road Carryout Inc., operator of Beaver’s Mini Mart in Beavercreek, Ohio.
Buc-ee’s filed the case in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, alleging trademark infringement and unfair competition.
Buc-ee’s argues that Beaver’s Mini Mart uses a smiling cartoon beaver, red lettering and other branding elements that could cause customers to believe the small store is connected with Buc-ee’s.
The defendant’s mascot, however, is a full-body beaver rather than Buc-ee’s familiar beaver head wearing a red cap.
The lawsuit has generated considerable public criticism because Beaver’s Mini Mart has operated in Beavercreek for years and the beaver has strong local associations with the city’s name. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine publicly criticized the lawsuit, while local residents organized support for the mini mart.
As of September 2026, the lawsuit remains pending and no court has ruled that Beaver’s Mini Mart infringed Buc-ee’s trademarks.
Mickey Mart and the Moose Logo Dispute
Buc-ee’s has also sued Coles IP Holdings, connected with the Ohio-based Mickey Mart convenience-store business.
The dispute involves Mickey the Moose, a cartoon mascot used by Mickey Mart.
Buc-ee’s argues that despite the mascot being a moose rather than a beaver, aspects of the logo and branding are sufficiently similar to create potential consumer confusion.
The federal lawsuit was filed in the Northern District of Ohio in 2026. Court records show the parties were participating in settlement-related proceedings during the summer of 2026.
The case illustrates that Buc-ee’s trademark strategy extends beyond businesses using beavers. The company has challenged other cartoon-animal logos when it believes the overall commercial appearance resembles its brand.
Buc-ee’s v. Teddy’s Market
Another major 2026 lawsuit involves Georgia convenience-store chain Teddy’s Market.
Buc-ee’s filed its federal lawsuit on May 1, 2026 in the Northern District of Georgia against Teddy’s Market and several related companies and individuals.
The dispute concerns Teddy’s branding and its cartoon koala mascot. Buc-ee’s alleges that elements of the name, logo and overall presentation infringe its trademark rights.
Teddy’s has strongly disputed those accusations.
In August 2026, Teddy’s filed counterclaims asking the court to declare that its branding does not infringe Buc-ee’s trademarks. It also challenged certain Buc-ee’s trademark registrations and accused the travel-center company of attempting to claim overly broad control over cartoon-animal branding.
The litigation remains unresolved.
Born United and the “Tac-Bucc” Beaver
Buc-ee’s filed another trademark case in May 2025 against South Carolina apparel company Born United LLC.
The dispute centers on merchandise featuring a tactical-style beaver known as “Tac-Bucc.” The character has appeared wearing military equipment and night-vision goggles.
Buc-ee’s alleges that the design improperly copies or trades on the fame of its beaver mascot.
The case, Buc-ee’s Ltd. v. Born United LLC, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina on May 27, 2025. Court records show the defendant denied the allegations and the litigation proceeded into discovery.
As of 2026, the dispute had not produced a final judgment.
Duckees Drive Thru Lawsuit
In November 2024, Buc-ee’s sued Missouri business Duckees Drive Thru.
Buc-ee’s alleged that the name “Duckees” was visually and phonetically similar to “Buc-ee’s” and also challenged aspects of the company’s duck-themed logo.
Unlike several current cases, this dispute did not proceed to trial.
The parties informed the federal court in April 2025 that they had reached a settlement.
Choke Canyon Trademark Victory
One of Buc-ee’s most important courtroom victories came against Texas-based Choke Canyon BBQ and Travel Center.
Choke Canyon used a smiling alligator inside a yellow circular background. Buc-ee’s argued that the overall presentation was confusingly similar to its famous beaver logo.
After a federal trial in 2018, a jury found Choke Canyon liable for trademark infringement and trademark dilution.
The case became significant because the competing mascots were completely different animals. The decision showed that trademark infringement does not necessarily require two logos to be identical. Courts can consider the overall appearance, commercial impression, marketing and likelihood of consumer confusion.
Lawsuits Against Unauthorized Merchandise Sellers
Buc-ee’s also regularly takes action against businesses and individuals selling merchandise featuring altered versions of its mascot.
In one 2025 Texas lawsuit, Buc-ee’s accused an online seller eventually identified as Kingsley Blancher of selling stickers, flags and other merchandise featuring modified Buc-ee’s imagery.
The parties reached a confidential settlement in 2026, with each side agreeing to bear its own legal costs.
Why Buc-ee’s Files So Many Trademark Cases
Trademark owners have an incentive to actively protect valuable brands. Failure to challenge confusingly similar uses can make enforcement more difficult as competing marks become established.
Buc-ee’s therefore argues that its lawsuits are necessary to protect the distinct identity of its name, beaver mascot and travel-center brand.
Critics, however, contend that some recent cases go too far because Buc-ee’s has challenged businesses using animals that look very different from a beaver. The lawsuits against Beaver’s Mini Mart, Teddy’s Market and Mickey Mart have intensified that debate.
As of September 2026, several of Buc-ee’s newest trademark cases remain unresolved. Their outcomes could help determine how far the company’s trademark protection extends beyond its famous smiling beaver itself.
