The CEO of Buc-ee’s says the beloved convenience chain will focus expansion on conservative states as the beaver-themed brand faces scrutiny over its repeated trademark lawsuits.
Arch “Beaver” Aplin III, also the Texas chain’s co-founder, made the remarks last week during the grand opening of Buc-ee’s first Arkansas location in Benton.
“We have a lot of opportunities. We’re growing. We’re building in a lot of places, but when you find a conservative, business-friendly state with a phenomenal workforce, it makes a difference,” Aplin said in a video shared by Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders on social media.
“And I’m starting to realize life’s too short to try to build in places that people don’t appreciate what you’re bringing versus a place like this, where people do appreciate what you’re building,” Aplin added.
He then explained that Buc-ee’s-worthy locations must meet three of the brand’s key values.
open image in gallery“So that leadership, that concept, that idea of conservative, business-friendly, family-oriented concept works so much better if it trickles down from the very leadership,” Aplin said. “From the very top at the governor’s office, at the congressman, at the senator, at the mayor (and) the representatives.”
Sanders, who previously served as White House press secretary under President Donald Trump, said in her caption that Aplin “said it best” about taking the chain where it is appreciated.
“That’s why red states like Arkansas are surging and people and businesses are fleeing blue state,” Sanders said.
Buc-ee’s began as a small convenience store in Lake Jackson, Texas, before opening its first massive travel center in 2003 in Luling, south of Austin. The chain expanded throughout Texas before making its first move beyond the state in 2019, opening in Loxley, Alabama.
Since then, Buc-ee’s has rapidly spread across the country, drawing a cult following with its famously clean restrooms, massive stores and branded merchandise. The chain now operates in at least a dozen states, primarily Republican-leaning ones, including Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri and Ohio, with plans to expand further.
However, Buc-ee’s currently faces a growing PR headache over trademark lawsuits, including a fight with a small Ohio corner store that has sparked calls for boycotts, fundraising and beaver-themed logos in solidarity.
On July 28, Buc-ee’s sued Beaver’s Mini Mart in Beavercreek, Ohio, arguing customers could confuse its logo with Buc-ee’s. The neighborhood store has no gas pumps and sits miles from the nearest interstate, but its logo features a smiling beaver alongside its name in red lettering.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has called the lawsuit “ridiculous” and urged Buc-ee’s to drop it.
open image in gallery
open image in galleryThe controversy grew after comedian John Oliver took aim at Buc-ee’s on “Last Week Tonight” last month, detailing the chain’s history of suing small businesses over cartoon animal logos. The cases include a 2014 Texas fight over a beaver logo, a 2015 lawsuit over a cartoon alligator, a February 2026 suit against a northern Ohio gas station over its Mickey the Moose logo, and a May 2026 suit against Georgia’s Teddy’s Market over its hat-wearing mascot.
Oliver then challenged Buc-ee’s to sue him over his support for Beaver’s Mini Mart, launching satirical “Buc-Off” merchandise featuring a squirrel logo parodying Buc-ee’s branding, with proceeds going to charity.
Earlier this month, Beavercreek City Council officially recognized the beaver as a historic city symbol, allowing local businesses, schools and organizations to continue using beaver imagery amid the trademark fight with Buc-ee’s.
The Independent has contacted Buc-ee’s for comment.