Beaver War: Buc-ee's Lawsuit Sparks Outrage

A trademark dispute has erupted between the popular Texas convenience store chain Buc-ee's and a small business in Ohio named Beaver's Mini Mart. Buc-ee's, known for its distinctive beaver mascot, filed a lawsuit in late July alleging that the mini mart's beaver logo too closely resembles its own branded character, Bucky beaver. This action has ignited a strong reaction from the public and local communities.

Supporters of Beaver's Mini Mart have launched online attacks against Buc-ee's and initiated boycotts of the chain's stores. The city of Beavercreek itself passed a resolution recognizing the beaver as an integral part of its history. Comedian John Oliver also addressed the situation on his show "Last Week Tonight," creating a website with mock merchandise and amplifying the #boycottbucees trend on social media.

Buc-ee's stated it attempted to resolve the issue with Beaver's Mini Mart owner Vic Boparai before resorting to legal action, asserting its need to protect its valuable trademark. The company claimed it first learned of the mini mart when Boparai filed a trade name registration in October. Beaver's Mini Mart, previously Hanes Road Carryout, had changed its name in January 2025, approximately four months after Buc-ee's began construction on its first Ohio store near Dayton.

The controversy has spurred various forms of solidarity for Beaver's Mini Mart. A GoFundMe campaign to cover legal costs has raised at least $69,000. Local bakeries are selling cookies featuring the mini mart's logo, with proceeds supporting legal fees. Other businesses in the Dayton area have temporarily altered their logos to include beavers, demonstrating support for the small business and the city of Beavercreek, where many businesses already incorporate the name 'Beaver' or 'Beavercreek'.