McDonald’s and Wendy’s Win Lawsuit Over Burger Size Exaggeration Claims

McDonald’s and Wendy’s have emerged victorious in a lawsuit that accused them of misleading customers by exaggerating the size of their burgers. U.S. District Judge Hector Gonzalez in Brooklyn ruled on Saturday that there was no evidence to support the claim that the fast-food chains served smaller burgers than advertised.

The plaintiff, Justin Chimienti, alleged that the ads for McDonald’s Big Mac and Wendy’s Bourbon Bacon Cheeseburger depicted undercooked beef patties, as meat shrinks when cooked. Chimienti also claimed that Wendy’s inflated the amount of toppings it used. However, the judge found no proof that Chimienti had seen the ads in question.

In his 19-page decision, Judge Gonzalez stated that the visual appeal of the burgers was no different from other companies’ efforts to create positive associations with their products. He further noted that McDonald’s and Wendy’s were not obligated to sell burgers by advertising them, as their websites provided accurate information about the burgers’ weight and caloric content.

The judge also dismissed the argument that depicting fewer toppings than the plaintiff’s personal preference was misleading. He emphasized that the chains had provided objective information about their products.

Lawyers for Chimienti did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and their legal representatives also did not provide any immediate comments.

This ruling comes after a similar lawsuit against Burger King in Miami, where a federal judge ruled that the company must defend itself against claims related to how it depicts Whopper sandwiches on in-store menu boards. Claims based on ads were dismissed in that case.

Taco Bell is also currently facing a lawsuit in the Brooklyn court, with allegations that it sold Crunchwraps and Mexican pizzas containing half as much filling as advertised.

In conclusion, McDonald’s and Wendy’s have successfully defended themselves against the lawsuit, with the judge ruling that there was no evidence to support the claims of burger size exaggeration.