Join our Waitlist for Expert Advice!

Burger King Is Being Sued Over Whopper Size, Alleging 'Deceptive' and 'Unfair' Advertising On Friday, a judge denied Burger King's attempt to dismiss a lawsuit alleging it misled consumers on Whopper size.

By Madeline Garfinkle

Key Takeaways

  • Burger King is being sued over ads that show a larger picture of a Whopper than what is served.
  • A judge on Friday dismissed Burger King's bid to dismiss the suit.

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

On Friday, a U.S. judge denied Burger King's plea to dismiss a class action lawsuit that alleges "unfair" and "deceptive" practices by the company in relation to the advertisements of the Whopper, which the plaintiffs not only claim is larger, but contains "more than double the meat" than the actual burger.

The class action lawsuit was originally filed in 2022 in the Southern District of Florida by plaintiffs claiming that the burgers were purchased based on the advertisements, but the Whopper seen in pictures is 35% larger than what consumers receive in real life. The plaintiffs are residents of or bought Whoppers in 12 different states across the U.S.

Burger King filed a motion to dismiss the suit in August, stating it "makes very clear how much beef the Whopper contains." But in the verdict, U.S. District Judge Roy Altman of the Southern District of Florida is allowing the suit to proceed, concluding that it should be up to the jurors to determine "what reasonable people think."

However, parts of the company's dismissal were approved, such as the plaintiff's claims related to television and online advertisements, as none of them explicitly promised a specific "size" or weight of the patty, according to court documents.

The case now relates to Burger King's in-store menus and ordering boards, which also contain the alleged deceptive images of the Whopper the plaintiffs claim to have relied on when ordering.

The fast food chain states that it clearly discloses the size of its burgers and the amount of beef on its website. It also argues that food advertisements are designed to look as "appetizing as possible," and that most consumers are "aware" of the practice.

"That is hardly news; reasonable consumers viewing food advertising know it innately," Burger King wrote in its motion for dismissal. "This lawsuit unreasonably pretends otherwise."

Related: Florida Burger King to Pay $8 Million to Customer Who Slipped and Fell in Restaurant Bathroom

Last month, Taco Bell faced a similar lawsuit wherein consumers sued the company over claims that the giant's Crunchwraps and Mexican pizzas were advertised as having "at least double" the amount of filling than actually given. The litigation is still pending, but the plaintiffs seek at least $5 million in damages.

Madeline Garfinkle

News Writer

Madeline Garfinkle is a News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate from Syracuse University, and received an MFA from Columbia University. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

You Have One Month Left to Buy a House, According to Barbara Corcoran. Here's Why.

"If you are planning on waiting a year and seeing where interest rates go, you are out of your mind," Corcoran said.

Side Hustle

I Made $14,000 in 1 Week With a Spontaneous Halloween Costume Side Hustle — Here's How

Sabba Keynejad was in art school when he started to refine his entrepreneurial skills.

Business News

This New Restaurant Is Banking on One Dish — Because It's the Only Entrée on the Menu

The new hotspot is gaining buzz on social media for its innovative yet super simple concept.

Business News

These 3 Side Hustles Make the Most Money While Working Fewer Hours, According to a New Survey

The survey also found that having a side hustle doubled as a path to becoming more employable.

Franchise

The McRib Is Back, But Only at Select McDonald's — Here's Where to Find It

This scarcity is nothing new. In 2022, McDonald's announced a "Farewell Tour" for the McRib, suggesting that it might be the last time customers could get their hands on it.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.