Dec 1, Reuters - A U.S. judge has dismissed a $10 billion lawsuit against McDonald's Corp by media entrepreneur Byron Allen, who accused the fast-food chain of racial discrimination for not advertising with Black-owned media outlets.
U.S. District Judge Fernando Olguin wrote on Tuesday that two companies owned by Allen did not offer enough factual evidence to show that McDonald's intentionally and purposefully discriminated against them. According to Allen's complaint, McDonald's has refused to advertise with lifestyle channels owned by his Entertainment Studios Networks since their 2009 launch, or with The Weather Channel since Allen bought its parent Weather Group in 2018.
Allen said McDonald's allocation of ads dollars was a reflection of the Chicago-based company's racial animus and racial stereotyping. Allen can file an amended complaint, according to Olguin.
Louis Skip Miller, a lawyer for Allen, said in an email on Wednesday that they will add more details to the complaint as directed by the court and fully expect the case to go forward with discovery and trial.
The case is about revenue, not race, Loretta Lynch, a lawyer for McDonald's, said in a statement provided by the company. There is no evidence supporting this meritless case.