A big name in roadside retail is taking aim at animals—their likenesses, that is. Evidently, officials at Buc-ee’s Ltd. find some cartoon logos threatening. Is the company’s iconic mascot beaver a bully?
With 58-and-counting ginormous stores, Buc-ee’s has taken the mega gas and convenience store space by storm. Fans of the Texas chain travel miles for Beaver Nuggets (sweetened corn puffs), fudge, and “Fresh brisket on the board!”—as well as beaver-branded merch from swimsuits to salt shakers.
Meanwhile, Buc-ee’s website claims its stores are home to “the cleanest restrooms in America.” The chain also holds world records for largest convenience store and longest car wash.
Just four months after opening the first Ohio Buc-ee’s store, a battle of the beavers kicked off. Buc-ee’s sued Beaver’s Mini Mart in Beavercreek, Ohio.
The new 74,000-square-foot Buc-ee’s off Interstate 70 has more than 100 gas pumps and 700 parking spaces. “Bucky” is Buc-ee’s official mascot. The chain’s logo features a smiling beaver head with prominent teeth against a yellow background. It wears a red ball cap.
Across town, Beaver’s Mini Mart, with zero pumps, occupies a small building at a suburban intersection. Its mascot is a full beaver, unclothed, waving and smiling against a white background.
To protect their territory, real-life beavers can become aggressive. And Buc-ee’s fiercely protects its buck-toothed logo from trademark infringement. Buc-ee’s officials argue the Beaver’s logo too closely resembles its own.
Beaver’s Mini Mart may be little, but apparently, it’s fierce too. Eager Beaver’s supporters spawned a “beaver boom” according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. They’ve attacked Buc-ee’s online, boycotted the chain, and started a GoFundMe campaign. About 20 local businesses temporarily changed their logos to include beavers. Beavercreek City Council even passed a resolution making the beaver an official part of the town’s history.
As with most arguments, there’s another side. Incorporated in 2017, Beaver’s only changed its name from Hanes Road Carryout to Beaver’s Mini Mart in January 2025—about four months after Buc-ee’s broke ground.
Suspicious timing? Maybe.
Still, some customers criticize Buc-ee’s decision to target a small company. It’s an impulse rooted in biblical thought. Seeking to aid the little guy reflects God’s mercy and justice in defending the weak, oppressed, and powerless. (Isaiah 1:17)
“I love Buc-ee’s,” says new Beaver’s patron Austin Collins. “But I don’t plan on going back until they start making better business decisions.” He calls targeting the mini mart “a little spiteful.”
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine finds the lawsuit over a beaver-branded business in the town “absurd.” He says, “It is Beavercreek.”
Why? An inflated opinion of oneself often leads to trouble. It’s good to remember that God defends the weak and lowly.
