Buc-ee’s Targets Ohio Mini Mart’s Name in Revised Trademark Lawsuit

Buc-ee’s has amended its federal trademark lawsuit against Beaver’s Mini Mart in Ohio, placing greater emphasis on the store’s name after initially challenging similarities between their cartoon beaver mascots.

The Texas-based travel center chain filed the revised complaint on October 20, 2026, in federal court in Dayton, accusing the Beavercreek convenience store of infringing its trademark rights to the name “Beaver’s.” The company also dropped state-level unfair competition claims while maintaining its federal trademark infringement allegations.

Buc-ee’s applied to register “Beaver’s” for convenience store and gasoline retail services in 2017, two years before the Ohio business installed its beaver-themed sign. The chain argues that customers could mistake the neighborhood store for a smaller version of Buc-ee’s or assume the businesses are affiliated.

The amended complaint also disputes store owner Vikramjit Singh Boparai’s public account that he received no warning before the lawsuit. Buc-ee’s says it sent cease-and-desist letters on March 5 and April 21, followed by another delivered in person on June 11. The company alleges that the store failed to respond before the original complaint was filed on July 28.

Buc-ee’s also points to Boparai’s October 2025 registration of the trade name “Beavers Mini Mart” with Ohio authorities. Boparai has maintained that the business’s name and mascot are connected to Beavercreek, where the convenience store has operated for years.

The original lawsuit accused the mini mart of copying Buc-ee’s recognizable branding through a smiling cartoon beaver, red lettering and a similar overall design.

Federal trademark law allows businesses to challenge names and branding that are likely to confuse consumers about the source of goods or services or a possible business affiliation. Buc-ee’s operates large travel centers with fuel stations, food and merchandise, while Beaver’s Mini Mart serves neighborhood customers without selling gasoline.

The dispute intensified after Buc-ee’s opened its first Ohio location in nearby Huber Heights in April, approximately 16 miles from the mini mart.

In an October 23 statement, Beaver’s Mini Mart expressed disappointment that Buc-ee’s had amended its complaint instead of withdrawing the lawsuit. The business thanked its supporters and said it was reviewing its legal options with attorneys.

More than 20 local businesses have adopted beaver-themed logos in support of the mini mart, while Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine publicly criticized Buc-ee’s legal action. Beavercreek City Council passed a resolution in August recognizing the beaver as part of the city’s history.

The dispute follows another Ohio trademark case involving Mickey’s, a convenience store chain whose cartoon moose mascot Buc-ee’s challenged. The companies reached a confidential settlement in September.

In a separate lawsuit, South Carolina clothing company Born United agreed to pay Buc-ee’s $850,000 and destroy merchandise featuring a tactical version of its beaver mascot under a federal consent judgment.

Buc-ee’s is seeking an injunction preventing Beaver’s Mini Mart from using allegedly infringing branding, along with monetary damages, profits attributable to the alleged infringement and legal fees. The Ohio store had yet to file a substantive response to the amended allegations as of October 23.