Buc-ee’s Is Suing a Missouri Travel Stop Over Its Name

It's the battle of the beaver and the dog! Texas' favorite rest stop with the cleanest bathrooms, Buc-ee's, is going taking legal action against a Missouri small business for copyright infringement. Buc-ee's is seeking an order to block the use of the logo and damages and now, the other business is firing back!

At the center of the lawsuit is a Marshfield, Missouri business named Barc-ee's, a travel stop that sold food, drinks, pet products and more. It also offered EV charging stations and play areas. I say "sold" because a quick Google search will tell you that Barc-ee's is "temporarily closed".

Barc-ee's is centered on being dog-friendly where you and your pup can enjoy beverages and snacks- and your pup can have some fun as well. Buc-ee's alleges that Barc-ee's "purposefully used and promoted the Barc-ee's name in a way that violates the Buc-ee's trademark." This is the Barc-ee's logo:

Buc-ee's claims the name, the curving word style and cartoon mascot, which uses a brown animal with a red tongue on a yellow circle all mimic important aspects of Buc-ee's trademarks.

Barc-ee's alleges that they did consult with their lawyers over trademark concerns before opening. The coffee shop and its founder assert that "legal counsel has confirmed their branding does not infringe on any existing trademarks."

In a public statement, Barc-ee's owner John Lopez said:

Being sued is a delightful addition to the business experience that none of my mentors got me ready for. It’s like receiving a surprise gift that you never knew you wanted. This unwanted extreme team-building gift involves stakes that are high and ‘trust falls’ that involve legal documents and not people. Although I prefer my business challenges to come with a side of coffee rather than a court summons, this is just a part of the entrepreneur game.

Barc-ee's insists that they're in the clear, but Buc-ee's isn't having it and say the name and logo similarities could cause market confusion. Whether Barc-ee's decides to fight, i doesn't sound like it'll be easy!