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

[mmichaels1970]

a stop at an Ohio Buc-cee’s offf of I-80 would have been on the agenda

My daughter's been there. I've gone past them. I just can't see getting into an exit ramp lane massive line of cars to go to a gas station. I haven't seen them often, so maybe it isn't always like that. But it was like hundreds of cars backed up all the way down the ramp. Just not for me. I'll grab a beef jerky and a diet pepsi at some random Speedway down the road.

[moviefan8]

There are parts of California (I-5, I-580, I-205, and State Highway 99 for example) that are used for long haul trucking. Seems like they could use a place like this. Since California is considered liberal, they will not locate here.

I don’t expect Buc-ee’s in San Francisco or Los Angeles of course.

[Dr. Sivana]

I just can't see getting into an exit ramp lane massive line of cars to go to a gas station.

I didn't know there were lines. The one in Goodyear, AZ is brand new, and there were no lines off the highway exit when I went there. 200 pumps, half in use. Busy. But no lines. I do want to try the brisket.

[Pilsner]

This is a lawyer pumping billable hours.

The idea that a company with billions of dollars in annual revenues has law firms running around in multiple states filing lawsuits on its behalf, and paying copious amounts of attorneys fees to those law firms, without being aware of, much less directing what they are doing, is laughable.

Rule 12 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure allows any party who believes an attorney is acting without authority to file a motion and require the attorney to show proof that they are authorized to act on behalf of the client they purport to represent. In other states, or Federal Court, a motion to strike pleadings alleging the attorney was not authorized to file them, amounts to the same thing.

And once litigation is commenced, and discovery begins, the client, Buc-ees, will have to swear to discovery responses, and produce corporate representatives for deposition.

It maybe that Buc-ees has authorized law firms to send nastygrams to businesses who might be violating their trademarks, but Buc-ees is absolutely aware of, and directing, every lawsuit brought on its behalf.

[AlaskaErik]

Conservative

Have they explained Colorado yet? Or did I miss Colorado going red?

[Pontiac]

The idea that a company with billions of dollars in annual revenues has law firms running around in multiple states filing lawsuits on its behalf, and paying copious amounts of attorneys fees to those law firms, without being aware of, much less directing what they are doing, is laughable.

You don't believe it is possible that a lawyer assigned to protect the company's trademarks could simply walk into his superior's office and tell him that Beaver's market is infringing on their logo and be told to send them a cease and desist letter and if they fail to immediately comply file suit?

A firm that takes an aggressive line to bill more hours is going to take on all comers. The company take employs such a company gets what they pay for and doesn't care.

[NorthMountain]

restricts the smaller operation from ever infringing Buc-ee's trademark

That rather begs the question.

Beaver Mart's logo looks nothing like Buc-ee's ...

There's no infringement now. If Beaver Mart decided to expand, using its existing logo, there would still be no infringement.

This isn't trademark protection, it's "lawfare".

[Sirius Lee]

I do not want to see Buc-ee’s put them out of business.

Just don’t put South Of The Border out of business.

[kaktuskid]

Ford had to change the name of the Mustang in Germany to “T6”. The Krupp works sold a truck called the “Mustang” in Germany before Ford brought out its own vehicle.

[HIDEK6]

Well, MA ain’t getting one of these.

Too many assholes there.

[GOPJ]

Red States are appreciative. (Thanks from Florid)

And Blue states don’t deserve this quality anyhow? Avoid ‘em like the plague...

[Pontiac]

The courts really should be taking the predatory nature of the size/means difference into account when deciding whether to even hear a case.

I am not even considering that in my argument.

The first step in any defense is to file a motion to dismiss.

The judge is supposed to look at the prima facia facts of the complaint and decide if it possible that the complainant has been injured and if the court can provide redress.

In the Beaver Market case it should be obvious that the Beaver Mart logo and name do not infringe on Bucc-ee's copy right. Motion to dismiss should have been granted with prejudice.

Our courts rarely grant motion to dismiss. Everybody, no matter how frivolous the cause, no matter the cost, gets their day in court.

[vaskypilot]

I am glad the Rockingham (VA) location opened last year. I know the locations in New Kent County and Stafford are taking longer to build.

[HIDEK6]

Mamdani stores

Mondami the commie.

[jagusafr]

I loved that place! Are there still any in SA?

[HIDEK6]

Same problem with Band-Aid BRAND.

Ruined a perfectly good jingle.

[HIDEK6]

People in blue states buy stuff too.

Before I retired, I got an invitation to bid from the City of San Francisco.

I declined.

[wally_bert]

Great movie.

[NorthMountain]

In that case, the name and the item were fundamentally the same. That’s a genuine case of trademark infringement.

[wally_bert]

I visited a couple of them on the round trip drive and back from SC to Wisconsin.

Nice places.

Next time, fly and get a rental vehicle.

The only part of the drive I hated was going through Chicago.