BEAVERCREEK, OH — Texas travel center giant Buc-ee’s has sued a family-owned neighborhood convenience store in Beavercreek, Ohio, claiming its cartoon beaver logo and “Beaver’s” branding infringe on the chain’s trademarks.
Buc-ee’s, Ltd. filed the federal complaint on July 28, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Western Division at Dayton. The defendant is Hanes Road Carryout, Inc., which operates Beaver’s Mini Mart (also referred to as Beavers Mini Mart) at 1592 Hanes Road in Beavercreek.
As of early August 2026, the defendant has not filed an answer in the case.
According to the complaint, Buc-ee’s has used its distinctive logos featuring a smiling cartoon beaver, along with the mark BEAVER’S, for more than four decades in connection with its convenience stores, gas stations, and related goods and services. The company holds multiple federal trademark registrations on the Principal Register, several of which are incontestable.
Buc-ee’s alleges that the Ohio store uses the trade name “Beaver’s” or “Beavers Mini Mart,” a cartoon beaver logo with wide eyes and a smile, and red as a predominant color in its exterior signage. The complaint includes a photo of the store’s sign showing a full-body cartoon beaver next to the name in red lettering.
“Like the Buc-ee’s Marks, Defendant’s Marks incorporate a cartoon beaver with wide eyes and a smile,” the lawsuit states. It further claims the combination is “likely to cause confusion among consumers” who may perceive a connection, sponsorship, or affiliation between the parties when none exists. Buc-ee’s says the use trades on its goodwill, falsely designates the origin of the store’s products, and unjustly enriches the smaller business.
The company seeks a permanent injunction barring further use of the marks or any confusingly similar branding, destruction of signage and materials, an accounting of profits, treble damages, attorneys’ fees, costs, and other relief. It demands a jury trial and characterizes the alleged infringement as willful.
Buc-ee’s opened its first Ohio location, a massive travel center in nearby Huber Heights, on April 6, 2026. The complaint notes the chain has expanded to more than 50 stores across multiple states.
Beaver’s Mini Mart is a small corner store without gas pumps, located in a residential area miles from the nearest interstate. Owner Vik Boparai has said the business has used its beaver branding for years, long before Buc-ee’s expanded outside Texas in 2018 or opened in Ohio. Family members have indicated ownership of the current operation dates to around 2017.
The Buc-ee's brand
Buc-ee’s Sues Small Convenience Store for Having Beaver Logo in Beavercreek, Ohio
“I don’t know why they would sue a small business like mine,” Boparai told the *Cincinnati Enquirer*. “I have two kids and this store is how I feed them.” He said Buc-ee’s never contacted the store before filing suit.
A statement posted at the store declared: “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.”
Beavercreek is literally named for beavers. The local high school uses a beaver mascot, beaver statues appear around town, and other businesses incorporate beaver imagery. Residents and officials have expressed strong support for the mini mart.
Beavercreek Councilman Zach Upton called the suit an overreach: “Common sense is not prevailing. I can’t imagine anyone would be confused by the mini mart and Buc-ee’s. It’s not even in the same ballpark.”
Local customers have described the action as “crazy,” “stupid,” and “predatory,” with some visiting the store specifically to show solidarity. A GoFundMe campaign was launched to help with legal costs, and community members organized support efforts including a “cash mob.” Other area businesses temporarily added beaver-themed logos in solidarity.
The GoFundMe, organized by Deborah Quach, has a goal of $28,000 to cover legal expenses. As of the morning of Aug. 5, 2026, the campaign had raised more than $21,600 from over 560 donors.
The filing came days after comedian John Oliver, on the July 26 episode of HBO’s "Last Week Tonight," criticized Buc-ee’s history of trademark lawsuits against smaller businesses with animal mascots and dared the chain to sue over parody “Mr. Nutterbutter” merchandise sold to benefit a hunger charity.
Buc-ee’s has previously pursued similar claims against other operators, including an ongoing case involving an Ohio gas station chain using a cartoon moose mascot. The company has long aggressively protected its branding as it expands nationally from its Lake Jackson, Texas roots.
The case remains in its early stages, with the defendant yet to formally respond in court.
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