Buc-ee's Sues Ohio Corner Store Over Cartoon Beaver Logo
Texas-based travel center chain Buc-ee's filed a federal trademark lawsuit against Beaver's Mini Mart, a neighborhood convenience store in Beavercreek, Ohio.
The complaint claims the local store's smiling beaver logo and red signage deceive consumers by imitating Buc-ee's established branding.
Buc-ee's submitted the complaint on July 28 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio against Hanes Road Carryout Inc., the corporate entity operating Beaver's Mini Mart.
Legal filings state the Ohio store uses a cartoon beaver with wide eyes alongside red lettering. Buc-ee's asserts that the design combination leads shoppers to believe the two businesses share ownership or licensing agreements.
The legal action follows the April opening of Buc-ee's first Ohio travel center in Huber Heights. That travel center sits 16 miles north of Beaver's Mini Mart.
Beaver's Mini Mart operates as a single neighborhood market without gas pumps, whereas Buc-ee's locations feature more than 100 fueling stations and large retail spaces.
Buc-ee's bases its case on federal trademark infringement and unfair competition under the Lanham Act. The company argues that the store's branding unfairly benefits from decades of national advertising and brand recognition.
Store owner Vik Boparai, whose family has operated Beaver's Mini Mart since 2017, rejected the allegations in a statement posted at the business.
"We created Beavers Mini Mart to represent our connection to this community and the city we proudly serve-Beavercreek. This lawsuit is unfair, and we believe small businesses should be able to operate without being bullied by large corporations. We are standing up for our rights and will fight this lawsuit all the way."
Community members and neighboring business owners in Beavercreek launched public support efforts for the mini-mart.
Over 20 local companies temporarily changed their social media logos to display beavers.
Cake Hope and Love Bakery in Beavercreek began selling beaver-shaped cookies to raise money for the mini-mart's defense fund. Bakery co-owner Jaclyn Meyer commented on the local reaction to WHIO TV 7.
"For them to have that hanging over their head, I am sure they weren't sleeping at night. So, I'm hoping that they wake up feeling very loved on and supported. That the entire town is literally turning out for them."
Buc-ee's holds multiple federal trademark registrations for its cartoon beaver mascot, which the company has used for four decades.
The travel chain previously took legal action against other businesses over animal branding, including Missouri retailer Barc-ee's, Houston store Buky's, and Ohio gas station operator Mickey's.
The lawsuit asks the court to permanently bar Hanes Road Carryout Inc. from using the Beaver's Mini Mart name and logo. Hanes Road Carryout Inc. has two weeks to file an official response with the court.
