Federal judge keeps McRib class action against McDonald's alive

A federal judge in Illinois denied McDonald's motion to dismiss a class action lawsuit concerning the marketing of McRib sandwiches. The ruling allows the case, which was filed in December 2025, to proceed to the next stage of litigation.

The plaintiffs argue that McDonald's used false representations and concealments when promoting the item. The complaint states that the chain marketed sandwiches "deliberately crafted to resemble a rack of pork ribs" as premium pork rib products. The lawsuit claims the sandwiches contain no pork rib meat and are instead made from lower-grade pork products.

The legal team for the consumers wrote that buyers were materially misled by the company's deceptive labeling. The document notes that customers likely purchased the items or paid higher prices because they believed the product contained rib meat. Without that knowledge, the plaintiffs say, some consumers would not have bought the sandwich at all.

McDonald's responded to the suit by calling the claims meritless. In a statement to Reuters, the company said the lawsuit distorts the facts. A separate statement to ABC News added that the chain has always been transparent about ingredients to help guests make informed choices. The company's current website describes the product as a McRib Pork Patty without specifying if it is a rib cut.

McDonald's has until November 20 to file a formal response to the complaint. The judge's decision to reject the dismissal bid means the parties will continue to exchange legal arguments before any trial date is set.