Buc-ee’s CEO says ‘conservative’ states will get stores — and there are three requirements any location must meet

AOL ^ | 08/26/2028 | Erin Keller

[Responsibility2nd]

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.

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TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: buccees

[albie]

Makes complete sense! Any blue state would eventually regulate and tax them out of business. Generally speaking, residence in blue states are usually very angry. Anger doesn’t work well in the retail business.

[woweeitsme]

I believe the store would be called “Buc-mee’s”

[mmichaels1970]

If so - they should get sued. If the Mom and Pop was there first? Leave them alone.

Buc-ees claim is that they trademarked it 40 years ago, basically before anybody knew who they were. This is a station in BEAVERCREEK Ohio. There are Beaver logos all over the place. Their High School nickname is "Battling Beaver" and they have a Beaver mascot. Probably should bury the school too so people don't think they can buy gas there.

I suppose I could support them if the mom and pop added the mascot after Buc-ees opened at least one station in Ohio. The minimart (you should look at their logo) had the logo in like 2018, eight years before Buc-ees even came to the state.

I hope THE Ohio State sues Buc-ees for having a company name that too closely resembles their school nickname that they've had for over a hundred years.

[bantam]

First ever visit at a Buc-ee’s in Virginia, couple weeks ago.
AMAZING!!
I could not believe the amount of people there.
Gas was cheap, brisket was great, and the Beaver nuggets were AWESOME!!!!!!!
Love the co-owners comments on store placement, and the values they look for.
Hope Pennsylvania sees one soon!

[real saxophonist]

When I first started working for Domino's, way back in 1986, we had to say Domino's Pizza, not just Domino's.

The company was in the middle of a lawsuit with Domino Sugar, believe it or not. I forget how the suit was resolved, but who can't tell the difference between a 5 pound bag of sugar and a large pepperoni pizza.

[z3n]

Wow! That is stupid.

About the only similarity between the logos is that they are brown colored cartoonish beavers.
That is ridiculous.

I was once working on a gaming website and back in the 2000s and since I’m better at programming than art, I put out a contest where I would pay for a Jester/clown themed logo to the winner as long as I got the rights to it. But when I reviewed the entries, I had to scour the internet for other businesses that had similar themed logos to make sure they weren’t too similar. It’s surprising how many I could find, once I started looking.

So you wouldn’t think that a beaver was a common logo/mascot, but there are only so many ways you can draw one up.

This incident reminds me of the 2000s when Monster.com was suing every business they could find that used monster in their name or marketing. It’s obnoxious. You shouldn’t get the right to trademark a dictionary word any more than an animal that existed before you business ever did!

[Dr. Sivana]

Well, MA ain’t getting one of these.

They will continue to be stuck with Food Bag, Cumberland Farms, and 7-11. Pretty sad.

[bk1000]

“ I believe the store would be called “Buc-mee’s”

Their beaver would be trans.

Im stuned.

[Dr. Sivana]

You’d have to be a TOTAL IDIOT to locate or expand a business in a Blue State.

Chick-Fil-A did it, but after Truett Cathy passed, the next generation mostly went for more money and less conflict with evil, and it cost the chain part of its soul.

[ryderann]

“Dumb move.

People in blue states buy stuff too.”

But, does Buc-ees want blue state employees and customers?

[Hyman Roth]

That’s what I call a two-fer.

Did you expect anything less in Dolly's hometown? :>)

[bankwalker]

I went to a Buccees once ... I will never do business with them again ...

[T.B. Yoits]

I believe the store would be called “Buc-mee’s”

[KarlInOhio]

And it's not just beavers. Buc-ee's other trademark victims include a moose, bear, alligator and even chickens. Chick-fil-a better watch out. Just be careful crossing Los Pollos Hermanos or that buck tooth rodent might get wacked Breaking Bad style.

What happens when the state looks at Buc-ee's values "Conservative, Business-friendly and Family-oriented" and chooses to support the older family owned small business? Does that incite the big beaver's rage?

[The Great RJ]

I doubt we will see one in the Peoples Republic of Minnesota either.

[Dr. Sivana]

People in blue states buy stuff too.

They do. But Buc-cee's has a business model that work for them. They are certainly making money. It now becomes part of the mystique.

As long as a would-be competitor doesn't use a furry rodent as a mascot, or has a name that sounds like Buc-cee's, there is a business opportunity for somebody.

Keep in mind, the Buc-cee's concept works best in areas where people travel long stretches of highway, and so the concept won't work very well in the northeast.

The only sad part is that states like Illinois and Pennsylvania would really benefit from a Buc-cee's in the conservative rural areas. However, I think Iowa, Indiana, and Ohio might be conservative enough to merit a Buc-cee's. I could see one just off the Ohio Turnpike doing bang-up business.

[hal ogen]

Anyone with a well functioning brain wants nothing to with anyone or any place “blue”.

[Pontiac]

There is a family owned drive-in burger restaurant where I live called Checkers. It has been sued by the Checkers/Rally’s franchise and the suit has been going for years.

The store pre-exist the Checkers franchise in its present location and name for at least a decade and Checkers/Rally’s they won’t drop the suit.

Why courts won’t dismiss these nuisance suits with prejudice escapes me. I frequently read how courts are overloaded and they allow this type of predatory litigation to continue.

[KarlInOhio]

who can't tell the difference between a 5 pound bag of sugar and a large pepperoni pizza.

They would have more problems with the name Morton's Pizza. I often confuse their pizza with a cannister of salt.

[Dr. Sivana]

Phillips and Valero didn't shut down their California refineries because folks in that state quit buying gasoline. Did you consider those to be 'dumb moves' as well?

. . . or when "In 'n' Out", a truly great California original, finally closed one in Oakland for the safety of workers and customers.