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Buc-ee’s, the Texas-based chain opening a store in Mebane next year, made late-night television after the company filed a string of copyright lawsuits to protect their buck-toothed beaver mascot from competition.
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HBO Max’s “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” poked fun of the gas station giant on their Sunday, July 26 episode by creating ‘Buc-off,’ a knock off merchandise brand meant to provoke the company into another lawsuit.
“Buc-ee’s loves to sue other companies, particularly those with animal mascots,” Oliver said. “They’ve filed over a dozen lawsuits over the years… and incredibly to date, Buc-ee’s has won nearly all the cases that it has brought, usually because other companies opt to settle and redesign their logo or just fold completely that is probably because most just don’t have the resources to fight a company this big.”
“Last Week Tonight” has a history of using comedic stunts to make charitable donations. Oliver pledged that all profits raised through the sales of the Mr. Nutterbutter merchandise, the show’s rodent mascot designed to look like the Buc-ee’s beaver logo, would go to Hunger Free America. The website sells trucker hats, onsies, coffee mugs, t-shirts, stickers and underwear.
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The News & Observer recently reported that Alamance County’s Buc-ee’s is scheduled to open in the end of 2027 after originally planning to open in May 2027. Buc-ee’s wanted to build their first North Carolina location in Orange County before opposition forced them to pivot.
The N&O reached out to Buc-ee’s but has not received a response before publication. The News of Orange County reported that Buc-ee’s general counsel stated the company does not plan to take legal action against the show, and the company declined further comment on the segment.
The outlet also reported that North Carolina-based Sam’s Mart, with a furry bowtie wearing mascot, has been challenged by Buc-ee’s over its logo.
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Sam’s Mart has locations in Charlotte and Winston-Salem.