Buc-ee’s and Mickey’s Settled Trademark Dispute
The two companies resolved a federal trademark lawsuit after months of legal contention regarding brand imagery.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Buc-ee’s and Coles IP Holdings reached a confidential settlement on September 15, 2026, ending a trademark dispute. The legal conflict centered on allegations that the Mickey’s brand moose logo caused customer confusion.
Why it matters
The settlement resolves a dispute that began in February 2026, when Buc-ee’s filed a complaint claiming Mickey’s rebranding efforts mirrored its own intellectual property. The resolution allows both parties to avoid further litigation after the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office registered the MICKEY’S word mark earlier this year.
Mickey's currently operates 42 locations in Ohio. The court has mandated that a joint dismissal with prejudice be submitted within 30 days of the September 15, 2026 settlement date.
The players
Buc-ee’s
Buc-ee’s is a prominent chain of travel centers known for its large-format stores and proprietary branding.
Coles IP Holdings
Coles IP Holdings is the corporate entity that owns the trademarks associated with the Mickey’s brand.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is the federal agency responsible for granting patents and registering trademarks.
Trademark Trial and Appeal Board
The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board is an administrative body that hears and decides adversary proceedings regarding trademarks.
The details
Coles IP Holdings, which applied for the MICKEY'S word mark in July 2025, faced opposition from Buc-ee's over a new moose-head design. The settlement follows a series of administrative delays, including the suspension of a Trademark Trial and Appeal Board cancellation case involving older designs.
Timeline
July 1, 2025: Coles IP Holdings applied to register trademarks.
March 2026: Cancellation case for older moose designs was suspended.
April 30, 2026: Buc-ee's filed opposition against new moose logo.
May 19, 2026: MICKEY'S word mark was registered.
September 15, 2026: Parties reached a settlement.
Market Landscape
This settlement reflects the broader industry trend of aggressive trademark litigation among retail brands seeking to protect distinctive visual identities. By concluding the dispute, both firms avoid the structural uncertainty that previously hampered brand expansion in the Midwest.
Customers of the 42 Ohio locations can expect business operations to continue without interruption as the brand retains its registered word mark. The resolution ensures that the retail landscape remains stable for shoppers who frequent these specific store sites.
The takeaway
Trademark settlements often serve as a pragmatic alternative to lengthy federal litigation for companies protecting their brand assets. Businesses should ensure their intellectual property filings are robust to mitigate the risk of opposition from established competitors.
What happens next
The parties are required to submit a joint dismissal with prejudice to the court by mid-October 2026.
Further reading
For more information on retail brand developments, visit the Openings & Closings section.
More information
View the official Trademark Trial and Appeal Board case listing for documentation on the dispute.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cleveland.
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