Buc-ee's Faces Controversy Amid Legal Battles With Small Firms

WHO:

The Verge - Buc-ee's, a Texas-based gas station chain, is involved in legal battles with small businesses.

Cincinnati Enquirer - Arch Aplin is the CEO of Buc-ee's; Vik Boparai is the owner of Beaver's Mini Mart.

WHAT:

The Verge - Buc-ee's is suing Beaver's Mini Mart over trademark concerns, claiming the mini-mart's beaver logo could confuse customers.

Cincinnati Enquirer - The lawsuit against Beaver's Mini Mart was filed on July 28.

Cincinnati Enquirer - Buc-ee's alleges that the Mini Mart's logo features a smiling beaver with "wide eyes and a smile" and uses red as a predominant color.

WHERE:

The Verge - Beaver's Mini Mart is located in Beavercreek, Ohio.

Cincinnati Enquirer - Buc-ee's opened its first Ohio location in Huber Heights.

WHEN:

Cincinnati Enquirer - The sign for Beaver's Mini Mart was installed in 2019.

Cincinnati Enquirer - Vik Boparai filed documents for the trade name "Beavers Mini Mart" in October 2025.

Cincinnati Enquirer - Buc-ee's attempted to contact Boparai on June 11.

WHY:

The Verge - Buc-ee's claims it is protecting its trademark by suing smaller businesses.

Cincinnati Enquirer - Aplin stated that he was concerned about the potential emergence of "Beavermarts" violating Buc-ee's trademark.

HOW:

Cincinnati Enquirer - Buc-ee's attempted to contact Boparai by FedEx twice in March and April and tried to deliver correspondence in person.

(UPDATED August 8, 2026 19:28 UTC)

Buc-ee's, the Texas-based gas station chain, is currently embroiled in legal disputes with small businesses, including a lawsuit against Beaver's Mini Mart over trademark issues. The lawsuit, filed on July 28, alleges that Beaver's logo, featuring a smiling beaver with wide eyes and a predominant red color, could confuse customers and infringe on Buc-ee's trademark. CEO Arch Aplin expressed concerns about the potential rise of "Beavermarts" that could violate Buc-ee's brand, emphasizing the company's efforts to protect its trademark by reaching out to the mini-mart's owner, Vik Boparai, multiple times.