October 5, 2026, 8:10 p.m. ET
Buc-ee’s has settled a lawsuit against an Ohio convenience store, according to court records.
The travel stop giant and Coles IP Holdings, LLC, owner of Mickey’s, a convenience store with 42 locations in Ohio, reached a confidential agreement on “material terms” on Sept. 15, according to court records. The Buc-ee’s lawsuit was originally filed in Ohio federal court in February.
Coles IP Holdings filed a lawsuit in April, alleging unfair competition through malicious litigation and trademark infringement.
The terms of payment are not indicated in the file. USA TODAY has reached out to Mickey and Buc-ee for comment.
Buc-ee’s’ aggressive efforts to protect its brands have drawn backlash, including from television host John Oliver. Oliver challenged Buc-ee’s to sue him for trademark infringement on the July 26 episode of “Last Week Tonight,” when the show featured products featuring a logo similar to Buc-ee’s.
What did the lawsuits claim?
Buc-ee argued in court documents that Mickey’s logo, a smiling moose in a red hexagon, is too similar to its own.
Both animals face right and have big eyes and a smile, Buc-ee’s said in court documents.
Buc-ee’s also argued that Mickey’s transition from Mickey Mart, the company’s former name, would create customer confusion because it “looks a lot like” the Buc-ee’s brand. In its countersuit, Coles IP Holdings said that “Buc-ee’s claims ignore reality” and that “Ohio consumers can easily tell a moose from a beaver.”
The company highlighted Buc-ee’s “reputation for aggressively enforcing” its trademarks, saying the newcomer “filed its objectively baseless claims with the subjective intent of harming Coles IP’s ability to compete.”
Lawsuit against Beaver’s Mini Mart underway
The lawsuit was one of two filed by the company in the state that drew criticism.
Buc-ee’s sued Beaver’s Mini Mart in Beavercreek, Ohio, claiming its customers might be confused by the mini-mart’s logo, which depicts a smiling beaver standing next to the store’s name in red letters, according to the complaint. That lawsuit, originally filed in August, is ongoing.
Buc-ee’s opened its first location in Ohio in April.
Contributor: Gabe Hauri, USA TODAY
Gn bussni
