Byron Allen's $10 Billion Discrimination Lawsuit Against McDonald's Moves to Trial

A federal judge ruled that claims of racial discrimination in McDonald's advertising practices warrant a jury's evaluation.

U.S. District Judge Fernando M. Olguin determined that Byron Allen's allegations of racial discrimination by McDonald's merit a jury trial, citing sufficient evidence for consideration.
Allen accuses McDonald's of relegating his media companies, including Entertainment Studios and The Weather Channel, to a smaller advertising budget designated for Black-owned media, limiting their revenue opportunities.
The lawsuit alleges that McDonald's spent less than $5 million of its $1.6 billion advertising budget in 2019 on Black-owned media, despite Black customers comprising about 40% of its customer base.
McDonald's defends its advertising practices, stating that decisions were based on business strategy and audience reach, and denies allegations of racial stereotyping or discrimination.
The case, initially filed in 2021, also references controversial text messages by McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski, which Allen claims reflect a broader culture of racial bias within the company.