Buc-ee's sues over brisket prices

Photo: Julio Cortez, Staff Cars are seen entering and leaving the Buc-ee's convenience...

Buc-ee's, the fast-growing convenience store/gasoline station/and deli chain known for its clean bathrooms, has sued its brisket supplier for "unilaterally" raising the cost of barbecue.

Buc-ee's says the increase in brisket prices has cost the chain $550,000.

Buc-ee's, which is based in Lake Jackson and has grown to 24 locations in central and southeastern Texas, filed the lawsuit earlier this month in Brazoria County against it brisket supplier, Sadler's Smokehouse.

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The two companies made an agreement in 2013 on how they'd buy and price select smoked brisket, according to the lawsuit, which included a copy of the pact. The deal included a provision that the price could not change unless Sadler's sent a written notice to Buc-ee's if it had a "significant change in circumstances" such as higher freight costs, according to the lawsuit.

If the two companies couldn't agree on a new price, representatives of both companies were to meet to discuss brisket prices at Buc-ee's office in Lake Jackson. And if they couldn't strike a deal after that, either company could terminate the contract for sandwich meat, according to Buc-ee's.

The chain, which sells both chopped beef and sliced beef sandwiches, said it never received a request to boost the cost of brisket and ended up paying more than agreed to. Buc-ee's is asking the court to require Sadler's to provide an accounting of brisket purchasing and supply activity between Oct. 1, 2014 through Nov. 1, 2015.

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Jeff Nadalo, general counsel for Buc-ee's, said in an e-mail that the company has no comment.

Sadler's Smokehouse was founded in 1948 selling smoked meat to the public from a small stand in Henderson, Texas, according to its website.

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While the company stayed in Henderson, it decided to focus on its fast-growing wholesale business. In the Houston area, Sadler's pit-smoked meats are available from several retailers including Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Fiesta Mart and Brookshire Bros.

Sadler's Smokehouse did not return a call seeking comment.