A Chicago-based McDonald’s is facing a class-action lawsuit over its McRib sandwich, with customers accusing the company of misleading them about what the meat contains.
The lawsuit, filed on Dec. 23, 2025, claims McDonald’s has built hype around the McRib by bringing it back for limited times and making customers believe it contains real pork rib meat. The plaintiffs argue the name and rib-shaped patty lead people to think the sandwich includes actual rib cuts.
McDonald’s describes the McRib as boneless seasoned pork with barbecue sauce, onions and pickles. However, the lawsuit claims the sandwich does not contain any pork rib meat at all. Instead, it alleges the patty is made from lower-grade pork parts that are ground up and reshaped.
The suit says the word “Rib” is intentionally misleading and caused customers to buy the sandwich or pay more for it than they otherwise would have. Four plaintiffs from California, New York, Illinois and Washington, D.C., say they would not have bought the McRib if they had known what it was made of.
The lawsuit accuses McDonald’s of fraud and deceptive marketing and is seeking damages and changes to how the McRib is advertised.
McDonald’s USA responded by denying the claims, saying the lawsuit is inaccurate. The company said the McRib is made with 100 per cent pork and that it has always been clear about its ingredients.
The plaintiffs are seeking class-action status for anyone who bought a McRib in the past four years, along with financial compensation and legal fees.
