Dive Brief:
- Buc-ee’s, the supersized Texas-based c-store retailer, has filed a lawsuit against a dog park and coffee shop, according to documents filed on March 19 with U.S. District Court in the Western District of Missouri, Southern Division.
- The suit alleges that Barc-ee’s, which offers a space for dogs to run around, a Western-themed children’s play area and a cafe with food and beverages, is violating Buc-ee’s trademark since it has a similar name and logo, which shows a cartoon dog driving a car inside a circle.
- Buc-ee’s has rigorously defended its trademark over the past couple years, having also filed suit against Mexican look-alike Buk-ii’s in 2023 and Missouri liquor store chain Duckee’s in 2024.
Dive Insight:
Companies frequently file trademark lawsuits if they believe another company’s name or logo is diluting theirs or sowing confusion among consumers. Barc-ee’s operates in Missouri — a state where Buc-ee’s opened its first store in 2023, in Springfield.
Buc-ee’s is seeking an injunction against Barc-ee’s continuing to use its name and logo, as well as destruction of all infringing items and financial awards including damages and attorney fees.
Fellow c-store company 7-Eleven has also been keeping an eye on its IP, suing law office Seven Eleven Law Group late in 2023 for using a similar name and green-and-white color scheme. That lawsuit was dismissed in April of 2024 after the two companies agreed to an out-of-court settlement. 7-Eleven also has a trademark suit ongoing against Evergreen Convenience Store for its “7 Heaven Food Mart” logo on a green awning, which it says uses a similar font to 7-Eleven and is similar to its “Oh thank heaven” trademark.
