Consumers allege McRib marketing misleads buyers; McDonald's calls the lawsuit meritless
Four consumers say the McRib's name and rib-shaped patty imply rib meat. McDonald's calls the lawsuit meritless and denies using hearts, tripe or stomach. Reuters reports that a federal judge rejected the company's bid to dismiss the case but dismissed some claims.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
The consumers seek class treatment, damages and changes to the sandwich's marketing. Their complaint alleges that lower-grade pork products replace rib meat, including an allegation about organ meats that McDonald's expressly denies. In February 2026, McDonald's asked the court to dismiss the complaint in its entirety, arguing that the McRib's name, shape and marketing would not mislead a reasonable consumer. We could not obtain the written October 30 ruling, so this page does not list which claims were dismissed and which remain.
Timeline
3 timeline entries on this page. Dates: December 23, 2025 to October 30, 2026
December 2025
Consumers file the McRib class-action complaint
Claim
The complaint alleges that the name and shaped patty mislead buyers into expecting rib meat and requests class treatment, damages and an injunction.
[01]Class Action Complaint, Le v. McDonald's Corporation, No. 1:25-cv-15609
The complaint alleges deceptive marketing. The caption and body spell Wilson's first name differently; the allegations are disputed by McDonald's.
Class Action Complaint, Le v. McDonald's Corporation, No. 1:25-cv-15609No. 1:25-cv-15609, Document 1, paragraphs 1-5 and prayer for relief
February 2026
McDonald's asks the court to dismiss the McRib lawsuit
Reaction
In a motion filed February 26, 2026, McDonald's asked the court to dismiss the complaint in its entirety with prejudice. The company argued that the McRib's name, the patty's shape and its marketing would not mislead a reasonable consumer, and that it truthfully describes the sandwich as made with pork.
[02]Defendant McDonald's Corporation's Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffs' Class Action Complaint, Le v. McDonald's Corporation, No. 1:25-cv-15609
McDonald's asks the court to dismiss the complaint in its entirety with prejudice, arguing that the McRib's name, shape and marketing would not deceive a reasonable consumer. The motion states the company's legal arguments; it does not establish the facts. Filed copy from the federal court docket, as mirrored by CourtListener (RECAP).
Defendant McDonald's Corporation's Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffs' Class Action Complaint, Le v. McDonald's Corporation, No. 1:25-cv-15609No. 1:25-cv-15609, Document 19, Introduction (pages 1-2) and Conclusion (page 27)
October 2026
Judge rejects McDonald's request to dismiss McRib lawsuit and dismisses some claims, Reuters reports
Reuters reported on October 30 that U.S. District Judge April Perry rejected McDonald's request to dismiss the proposed class action while dismissing some claims. According to Reuters, she called it premature to accept the company's argument that no reasonable consumer could expect the McRib to contain rib meat, and said ads featuring the meat's rib-like shape could support a claim of intent to defraud, though further proof was needed.
[03]Reuters
Reuters reports a pleading-stage ruling, the company's litigation argument and its denial of organ-meat ingredients. It does not establish the complaint's allegations.
McDonald's must face lawsuit over McRib, US judge rules · ReutersRuling description and company response in the October 30 update
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
The McRib's name and shape mislead reasonable consumers into expecting pork rib meat.
Sources (1)
- Class Action Complaint, Le v. McDonald's Corporation, No. 1:25-cv-15609No. 1:25-cv-15609, Document 1, paragraphs 1-5 and prayer for relief
Response record
Responses
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
2 responses. Newest first.
McDonald's CorporationCompany, in a statement reported by Reuters on October 30Directly involvedBefore this statement
Reuters reports that McDonald's said in a statement that it does not use hearts, tripe or stomach in the McRib and has always been transparent about its ingredients.
"This lawsuit distorts the facts and the claims are meritless"
DeniedCase context: Consumers allege McRib marketing misleads buyers; McDonald's calls the lawsuit meritless
Full statement and sources
In a statement reported October 30, McDonald's denies the organ-meat allegations and calls the lawsuit meritless.
After the statement
Reuters reports that a lawyer for the plaintiffs said his clients will continue seeking accountability for deceptive marketing.
McDonald's must face lawsuit over McRib, US judge rules · ReutersRuling description and company response in the October 30 updateWhy this label?
Relative to the allegations about McRib marketing and ingredients, the company explicitly rejects the asserted facts and Reuters reports its denial of organ meats.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Thiago M. CoelhoConsumers' attorney signing the complaintDirectly involved Before this statement
The complaint identifies four named consumers and seeks class treatment.
"Action: Filed a consumer class-action complaint alleging deceptive naming and marketing of the McRib."
CondemnedCase context: Consumers allege McRib marketing misleads buyers; McDonald's calls the lawsuit meritless
Full statement and sources
The consumers' complaint, signed by Coelho, alleges misleading McRib marketing.
After the statement
It asks for damages and an order barring the challenged naming and marketing.
Class Action Complaint, Le v. McDonald's Corporation, No. 1:25-cv-15609No. 1:25-cv-15609, Document 1, paragraphs 1-5 and prayer for reliefWhy this label?
Relative to McRib marketing, counsel's signed pleading expressly challenges it as deceptive.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(3)
Original text
Class Action Complaint, Le v. McDonald's Corporation, No. 1:25-cv-15609
Relevant passage: No. 1:25-cv-15609, Document 1, paragraphs 1-5 and prayer for relief
About this source
The complaint alleges deceptive marketing. The caption and body spell Wilson's first name differently; the allegations are disputed by McDonald's.
- Author
- Counsel for Peter Le, Charles Lynch, Dorien Baker and Darrick Wilson
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Defendant McDonald's Corporation's Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffs' Class Action Complaint, Le v. McDonald's Corporation, No. 1:25-cv-15609
Relevant passage: No. 1:25-cv-15609, Document 19, Introduction (pages 1-2) and Conclusion (page 27)
About this source
McDonald's asks the court to dismiss the complaint in its entirety with prejudice, arguing that the McRib's name, shape and marketing would not deceive a reasonable consumer. The motion states the company's legal arguments; it does not establish the facts. Filed copy from the federal court docket, as mirrored by CourtListener (RECAP).
- Author
- Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P., counsel for McDonald's Corporation
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
McDonald's must face lawsuit over McRib, US judge rules
Relevant passage: Ruling description and company response in the October 30 update
About this source
Reuters reports a pleading-stage ruling, the company's litigation argument and its denial of organ-meat ingredients. It does not establish the complaint's allegations.
- Author
- Jonathan Stempel, Reuters
- Published
- Accessed
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- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Consumers allege McRib marketing misleads buyers; McDonald's calls the lawsuit meritless
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/cases/mcdonalds-mcrib-rib-meat-marketing-lawsuit
The Dispute Index. "Consumers allege McRib marketing misleads buyers; McDonald's calls the lawsuit meritless". First published: 2026-11-01. Last updated: 2026-11-01. https://disputeindex.com/cases/mcdonalds-mcrib-rib-meat-marketing-lawsuit