A judge let the McRib class action proceed because shoppers' expectations need evidence, not an early dismissal. U.S. District Judge April Perry in Chicago rejected McDonald's request to throw out the core deception claims on Oct. 30, 2026. The McRib is McDonald's limited-time pork sandwich with a ridged patty molded to look like ribs.
Law Commentary identifies the case as Le et al. v. McDonald's Corp., No. 1:25-cv-15609, filed Dec. 23, 2025 in the Northern District of Illinois by four buyers seeking to represent other buyers.
Official resource:
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Table of Contents
- What the Oct. 30 ruling decided
- Why shoppers' expectations mattered
- What the patty dispute is about
- Do you need to file a claim now?
What the Oct. 30 ruling decided
Perry refused to dismiss the lawsuit entirely and required McDonald's to defend the central deception claims. Thomson Reuters reported in its Thomson Reuters account of the ruling that the motion failed as to those core claims.
Money Talks News, relaying Reuters reporting, summarized the split result in its Money Talks News summary of the allowed claims. Consumer-deception, fraud and unjust-enrichment claims may proceed. Five other claims were dismissed without prejudice, so plaintiffs may try to amend them.
Why shoppers' expectations mattered
McDonald's argued no reasonable consumer could expect rib meat from the name and rib-like shape. The court called that argument premature, according to Thomson Reuters. A judge at this stage tests plausibility, not proof.
Plaintiffs offered surveys finding 72% expected rib meat and 67% called rib meat important to purchase. Law Commentary described those results in its Law Commentary breakdown of the surveys as support for plausibility. The judge noted them as one reason the claims survive for now.
What the patty dispute is about
Plaintiffs say the ridged, rib-shaped patty plus McRib branding, ads, limited availability and premium price imply costlier rib meat. They allege the patty instead uses lower-grade shoulder, heart, tripe or stomach, according to Thomson Reuters.
McDonald's disputes that account, according to Law Commentary. It says it does not use hearts, tripe or stomach, uses 100% pork from U.S. farmers, discloses pork ingredients and calls the claims meritless distortions.
Do you need to file a claim now?
No settlement and no claim form exist. Law Commentary reports the ruling is only procedural, the class is uncertified and discovery remains.
Plaintiffs must still prove intent and overpayment. If you bought a McRib and want to preserve options: Check any future notice for the exact purchase dates, locations and proof required before you submit personal data.
- Save receipts, card statements, app orders or photos showing purchase date and location
- Keep the packaging or order record if you still have it
- Watch the docket for certification, settlement or claims-deadline notices, not social-media claim links