McDonald’s and Wendy’s win false advertising lawsuit
Wendy’s and McDonald’s have won a legal battle over claims of false advertising. A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit that accused the fast-food giants of misleading customers by selling smaller hamburgers than advertised and presenting food that looked less appetizing in person compared to their online images.
The 2022 lawsuit alleged that Wendy’s and McDonald’s used undercooked patties in their advertisements to make the burgers appear more appealing, arguing that the food received by customers was significantly less valuable than what was promised.
US District Judge Hector Gonzalez ruled that the food images used by Wendy’s and McDonald’s were similar to those used by other companies to create positive associations with their products. He also noted that the disclaimers on the chains’ websites were clearly displayed and provided accurate information about the weight and caloric content of the meals.
Neither Wendy’s nor McDonald’s immediately responded to CNN’s request for comment.
This case is part of a broader trend where major fast-food chains, including Burger King, Arby’s, and Taco Bell, face lawsuits claiming that their food advertising is misleading. The surge in such legal actions has been driven by lawyers arguing that food in advertisements appears more plentiful and appetizing than what customers receive.
“We saw a record number of food litigation lawsuits filed from 2020 to 2023, with hundreds of new suits every year,” Tommy Tobin, a lawyer at Perkins Coie and UCLA School of Law lecturer, told CNN. “Food litigation is a rapidly growing field of law.”
In response to these claims, fast-food chains deny the allegations. For instance, Burger King argued that “reasonable consumers viewing food advertising understand” that the food in ads is styled to appear as appealing as possible.
Wendy’s and McDonald’s have won a legal battle over claims of false advertising. A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit that accused the fast-food giants of misleading customers by selling smaller hamburgers than advertised and presenting food that looked less appetizing in person compared to their online images. The 2022 lawsuit alleged that Wendy’s and McDonald’s…