Buc-ee’s, the travel centers and giant brisket-barbecuing convenience stores based in Texas but with stores popping up in other states including two in Florida, is suing a two-store company for brand infringement.
In a complaint from a lawsuit obtained by USA TODAY, Buc-ee’s alleges that Teddy’s Market in Georgia copied Buc-ee’s mascot and branding strategies. The lawsuit, filed on May 1 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, claims Teddy’s brand centers on a smiling cartoon animal similar to the Buc-ee’s beaver.
Other claims include similarities in mascot design and even that the names are too similar.
Karan Ahuja, Teddy’s owner, denied the claim when asked by CBS News Atlanta but did not comment further citing the pending lawsuit.
According to the complaint, Buc-ee’s is asking the court to force Teddy’s to stop using its current branding, destroy any infringing materials and for Teddy’s to pay three times the profits made in damages.
This suit comes as there’s controversey from customers surrounding its new pay-at-the-pump rules. Here’s what to know about those as Buc-ee’s makes plans to expand its travel centers in four other Florida locations.
➤ Buc-ee’s rolls out new pay-at-the-pump policy. Here’s how it works
What are Buc-ee’s new pump rules?
Buc-ee’s new policy, implemented in March, says:
➤ No gas for Buc-ee’s gift cards? Florida man’s outburst goes viral
Why does Buc-ee’s place a hold on my credit card when I pay at the pump?
Here’s what you should know about holds on your credit or debit card when you pay at the pump, according to the company’s website:
“Because gas station operators do not know how much you will be spending, we have to authorize the pump for some amount — typically from $75 to more than $200 depending if the card is debit, consumer credit or commercial credit.
“If we authorize too little, then an SUV or truck can’t fill their tanks. If too much, then some card holders would not have the funds and therefore could not make the purchase.
“For example, if the pump is authorized for $100 and $40 of gas is pumped, then there will be a $40 charge and a $100 hold. Holds can last for up to 72 hours.”
New Buc-ee’s coming to 4 Florida cities
Fort Pierce: A planned location at Interstate 95 northwest of Fort Pierce would be 76,245 square feet with 120 gas pumps, 18 EV charging stations and 778 parking spaces.
➤ Buc-ee’s St. Lucie County site is now ‘Loading…’ as plans advance
Ocala: Originally planned to open in 2028, the Ocala Buc-ee’s has been rescheduled to open in 2029. The new Buc-ee’s is planned for the southeast corner of I-75 and Northwest 49th Street. The Ocala Buc-ee’s will be 74,000 square feet, with 120 fueling stations.
➤ New Ocala Buc-ee’s bumped to 2029 opening
Tallahassee: Not listed on Buc-ee’s website are plans to build in Leon County in Florida’s Panhandle. Buc-ee’s wants to build a 74,000 square-foot travel center with 120 fueling stations on a 30-acre site near Interstate 10. Plans call for 807 standard parking spaces, along with 24 electric vehicle parking spaces and about a dozen spaces for buses and RVs.
➤ Tallahassee Buc-ee’s site moves ahead with little opposition
Port Charlotte: Also not listed on Buc-ee’s website are plans for a travel center in a trio of villages near a new Harborview development in Southwest Florida. Depending on the zoning, it’s planned to be around 74,000 square feet, according to Stan Beard, Buc-ee’s national director of real estate and development.
See 16 new Buc-ee’s planned across US
Buc-ee’s has 16 new locations planned in the United States, with opening dates as far out as 2031, according to its website:
Where are Buc-ee’s locations in Florida?
There are two Buc-ee’s open in Florida as of May 2026:
What’s so special about Buc-ee’s?
Buc-ee’s began in Texas in 1982. Since then, the chain has been expanding, with locations in 12 states. Locations are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The travel center is famous for its huge number of gas pumps; a wide variety of hot food, bakery items and fudge prepared on site; a wide variety of store-brand snacks, grocery staples, sauces and an entire wall of jerky; and a large section of home decor, kitchen utensils, clothing, barbecue grills, Florida souvenirs, and more.
Buc-ee’s was rated by GasBuddy.com as having the cleanest restrooms of any convenience store chain in the nation.
In May 2024, USA TODAY’s 10Best chose Buc-ee’s as the 10th best for both Best Gas Station Brand and Best Gas Station for Food.
Contributing: C. A. Bridges, USA Today Network-Florida
Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://tcpalm.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Buc-ee’s is suing this convenience store. Here’s their beef
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud, John Gallas and Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY NETWORK / Treasure Coast Newspapers
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
