With Buc-ee’s expected to open in Boerne in 2027, local businesses with cartoon animal logos say they are not concerned about potential trademark disputes with the convenience store chain, despite recent lawsuits against small businesses in Ohio and Texas.
Buc-ee’s is well-known for its iconic beaver logo, known as Bucky or Bucky Beaver, according to reports.
The Star reached out to local businesses with cartoon animal logos to ask whether they were concerned about potential legal action from Buc-ee’s, which has faced online backlash over its recent trademark actions targeting smaller businesses.
“We’re aware of the recent trademark litigation involving Buc-ee’s, but we don’t see it as a concern for Pinchy’s,” said Nick DiBartolomeo, chairman and CEO of Launch Hospitality.
The company owns Pinchy’s Lobster & Rawbar restaurant, 250 River Road.
“Animal imagery has been used by businesses and brands across virtually every industry for generations,” he added. “The creation of Pinchy’s mark is well documented dating back to 2021, and we have developed our own distinct brand identity, trademarks and visual elements that are specific to who we are and the experience we provide our guests.”
DiBartolomeo said his company respects other businesses’ intellectual property rights and expects the same in return.
“I expect that Buc-ee’s has documented evidence regarding its current litigation and that this is more than just a larger company imposing its will against a smaller competitor, but like everyone else, we’ll wait and see what comes of it,” he said. “In closing, we have zero concern over our own mark and any loosely perceived similarities.”
Representatives for The Dodging Duck and 28 Songs Brewhouse in Boerne declined to comment. Buc-ee’s legal counsel also said the company had no comment.
Although Buc-ee’s faced opposition from Boerne residents over its planned location, the massive convenience store is expected to open its doors at Interstate 10 West and U.S. Business 87 next year.
Ohio lawsuits draw online backlash
Buc-ee’s has recently faced criticism over trademark infringement lawsuits against two small Ohio businesses, including Beaver’s Mini Mart, a convenience store with a logo featuring a cartoon beaver.
According to court documents, Beaver’s Mini Mart has used the cartoon beaver as its logo since 2019. Bucee’s opened its Beavercreek location in April 2026 and subsequently filed a lawsuit alleging the similar logos could cause consumer confusion. The suit remains in litigation.
In February 2026, Buc-ee’s also filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Mickey Mart, an Ohio convenience store with a logo showing an illustrated moose named Mickey.
Mickey Mart fought the lawsuit, asking the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio: “Can a large national chain that is expanding into Ohio use meritless trademark litigation as a tool to force out a local business that has operated in Ohio for decades?”
The defense’s legal counsel also noted Mickey Mart has been operating since the 1980s.
In September, the two companies settled the lawsuit through a confidential agreement, leaving it unclear whether Mickey Mart will be required to rebrand.
Previous Texas lawsuit
Buc-ee’s has also pursued trademark litigation in Texas.
In 2016, the company filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Choke Canyon Travel Center, a small business in Atascosa County known for a drawing of a cartoon alligator.
The lawsuit claimed the logos were “confusingly similar” and would cause “dilution” of Buc-ee’s intellectual property.
The chain’s legal representatives also presented exhibits claiming similarities in the companies’ product packaging.
In 2018, a jury in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, found Choke Canyon liable for trademark infringement, forcing the company to rebrand.
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