A judge in the United States has ruled that fast food chain, Burger King, must face a lawsuit regarding misleading customers over the size of its signature burger, the Whopper.
The lawsuit is said to be based on advertising material used to promote the product, showcasing a burger with a larger meat patty and ingredients that overflow the bun. Rival fast food chains, McDonald’s and Wendy’s, are both facing similar lawsuits in the United States.
It has been alleged that the Whopper burger is made to look 35 percent larger in advertising material, with double the amount of meat of that served to customers.
A Burger King spokesperson has dismissed allegations that the burger is different to that seen on television and billboards.
"The flame-grilled beef patties portrayed in our advertising are the same patties used in the millions of Whopper sandwiches we serve to guests nationwide,” said Burger King in a statement.
United States District Judge in Miami, Roy Altman, said that the outcome should be about what consumers feel is appropriate for the product they receive.
“The Jury should tell us what reasonable people think,” said Altman.
Burger King has defended its Whopper burger, stating that it was not required to deliver exactly what was in the picture. The company also said that the plaintiff’s claims made about the product were false.
This is just the latest in a series of lawsuits for major fast-food brands for advertising matters. In July 2023, Taco Bell, an entity of Yum! Brands, was sued in Brooklyn for selling products that only had half the contents of that advertised.
Each lawsuit is said to be worth approximately US$5 million.
