Buc-ee’s Files Trademark Infringement Suit Against Beavercreek’s Beaver’s Mini Mart Over Mascot Similarity

Texas-based Buc-ee’s, a prominent chain of mega travel centers, has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Beaver’s Mini Mart, a small convenience store in Beavercreek, Ohio, over the use of a beaver mascot in its branding. The legal action was initiated on July 28 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, less than four months after Buc-ee’s opened its largest-ever store in Huber Heights, Ohio.

Buc-ee’s entered the Ohio market with a 74,000-square-foot convenience store that opened on April 6 near the Interstate 70 and Ohio 235 interchange. The store is notable for its extensive food selection, clean restrooms, signature snacks, and a wide array of beaver-themed merchandise. It also features 120 fuel pumps, 24 electric vehicle charging stations, and 700 parking spaces.

The lawsuit targets Beaver’s Mini Mart, a family-owned convenience store located at 1592 Hanes Road in Beavercreek. Unlike Buc-ee’s, Beaver’s Mini Mart is a smaller establishment of approximately 2,000 square feet and does not sell fuel. Its signage features a smiling cartoon beaver, which Buc-ee’s alleges closely resembles its own trademarked beaver logo—a smiling beaver wearing a red baseball cap, accompanied by red lettering.

According to Buc-ee’s complaint, the similarity between the logos is likely to cause consumer confusion, potentially leading customers to believe there is a connection or affiliation between the two businesses where none exists. The lawsuit emphasizes that both parties operate in overlapping trade channels and serve similar consumer bases.

Buc-ee’s asserts that Beaver’s Mini Mart began using its beaver logo after Buc-ee’s had already registered its trademark decades ago. Arch Aplin III, founder and CEO of Buc-ee’s, reportedly indicated that the dispute could have been avoided. Huber Heights Mayor Jeff Gore shared on social media and in a report by WHIO-TV that Aplin informed him the owner of Beaver’s Mini Mart had attempted to file a federal trademark application for “Beavermart” following Buc-ee’s announcement of its Huber Heights location.

Mayor Gore relayed that Aplin expressed no objection to Beaver’s Mini Mart using its beaver logo locally but was concerned about the potential for multiple “Beavermarts” emerging regionally or nationally, which could infringe on Buc-ee’s trademark rights. Gore also noted that Buc-ee’s had sent emails and mailings to seek a resolution, receiving a response only recently from Beaver’s Mini Mart.

However, there is no record of a federal trademark application for “Beavermart” with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, nor is such an application mentioned in Buc-ee’s lawsuit. On August 7, Beaver’s Mini Mart owner Vic Boparai issued a statement denying any attempt to secure a national trademark for “Beavermart” or any other mark.

Boparai stated that the current beaver-emblazoned sign was installed in 2019, predating any public knowledge of Buc-ee’s plans to open in Huber Heights. He also explained that the trade name “Beaver’s Mini Mart” was registered with the state of Ohio last year at the bank’s request to facilitate credit card payment processing.

Public records indicate that Beaver’s Mini Mart was incorporated as Hanes Road Carryout Inc. in 2017. Additionally, Vikramjit Singh Boparai filed an Ohio trademark for the trade name “Beavers Mini Mart” in October 2025, although Google Maps imagery shows signage bearing that name as early as 2019.

Vic Boparai is listed as the agent for 20 Ohio businesses, many of which are gas stations or food marts. None of these have been renamed “Beavermart.” In fact, one location changed its name from Sabina IGA to Sabina Food Mart in January, according to local media.

The ongoing dispute highlights the complexities of trademark enforcement when a large regional brand expands into new markets where smaller local businesses have established similar branding. The case will proceed in federal court as Buc-ee’s seeks to protect its trademark rights against what it views as infringing use by Beaver’s Mini Mart.