McDonald’s has settled a $10 billion lawsuit by Byron Allen, who accused the company of racial bias by excluding Black-owned media from much of its advertising budget, Reuters reports. The settlement between McDonald’s and two of Allen’s companies, Entertainment Studios Networks and the Weather Group, was announced on June 13, 2025. Financial details have not been disclosed and McDonald’s denies any wrongdoing. Byron Allen’s lawsuit against McDonald’s Allen’s lawsuit claims that McDonald’s created a separate “African American tier” with significantly lower advertising budgets for Black-owned media. He argues that this
Byron Allen is selling local television stations owned by his Allen Media Group (AMG), and Moelis & Co. is managing the deal. Allen Media Group announced the news on May 2, according to The Los Angeles Times. The company needs to pay down debt, Allen said in a statement. Over the past six years, the company has invested over $1 billion in acquiring stations with the hopes of becoming the largest independent television operator in the United States. Its portfolio includes 28 stations affiliated with ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox,
Byron Allen’s $10 billion lawsuit accusing McDonald’s of racial discrimination is heading to trial, following a federal judge’s ruling, according to Variety. The media mogul alleges that the fast-food giant denied advertising opportunities to his Black-owned media outlets while reserving substantial budgets for general-market advertising. Court Allows Jury to Decide United States District Judge Fernando M. Olguin found sufficient grounds for the case to be heard by a jury. In his decision, he noted that this type of case benefits from a full hearing. Allen’s lawsuit claims that McDonald’s created
Byron Allen, the owner of Allen Media Group (AMG), has announced he plans to appeal a judge’s dismissal of his lawsuit against McDonald’s. The Lawsuits Allen first filed a $10 billion federal lawsuit against McDonald’s in 2021, alleging its advertising practices perpetuate racial stereotyping and violate civil rights laws at the federal and state levels. Allen then sued McDonald’s again in 2023, claiming the corporation had lied about its commitment to Black-owned media. In May 2023, Allen’s Entertainment Studios Networks Inc. and Weather Group LLC filed a lawsuit against McDonald’s seeking damages
Black media mogul Byron Allen, the owner of Allen Media Group (AMG), has hit McDonald’s with another massive lawsuit, claiming the corporation has lied about its commitment to Black-owned media. Last week, Allen’s Entertainment Studios Networks Inc and Weather Group LLC filed a lawsuit against McDonald’s seeking damages in excess of $100 million for fraud/false promise, violating California Civil Code 1711. The law holds corporations to their public promises and thereby redresses corporate fraud. Fraud and False Promises In May 2021, McDonald’s pledged to increase its advertising spend with Black-owned
Black media mogul, Byron Allen, has hit McDonald’s with a massive lawsuit after claiming the corporation deliberately excludes Black-owned media from its advertising campaigns. Allen, the owner of Allen Media Group, claims McDonald’s refused to advertise on his networks due to internalized discrimination against Black-owned media and racial stereotyping that only sees them take from Black consumers and never give back. McDonald’s is the world’s leading food service retailer, generating over $100 billion in annual revenue. African Americans represent approximately 40% of McDonald’s U.S. sales but dedicate a small proportion to
