Byron Allen’s $100 million lawsuit against McDonald’s for allegedly not keeping promises to increase advertising with Black-owned media companies was handed a setback by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge. McDonald’s had unveiled a “four-year plan” to increase its national media spending with Black-owned companies, but Allen’s Weather Group, LLC and Entertainment Studios Networks, Inc alleged that McDonald’s was only interested in press releases and not committed to real action. However, Judge Mel Red Recana ruled in favor of McDonald’s, stating that the evidence provided by the plaintiffs failed to show nonperformance by the company.
McDonald’s celebrated its court win by stating that the lawsuit was frivolous and part of Byron Allen’s smear campaign against the company. However, Allen’s team is planning to appeal the decision and are moving forward with a separate lawsuit filed in federal court alleging racial discrimination in advertising contracting. This is one of two legal actions Allen has taken against McDonald’s, with another $10 billion racial-stereotyping suit still awaiting resolution in the Los Angeles courts.
With both sides gearing up for appeals and more legal battles ahead, the future of this dispute remains uncertain. But as the legal wrangling continues, McDonald’s and Byron Allen may both find themselves further embroiled in litigation, or a resolution may be reached before either can achieve their own lofty goals.