Federal Judge Rules Whether Buffalo Wild Wings Can Keep Boneless Wings on Menu
A federal judge in Illinois dismissed a lawsuit against Buffalo Wild Wings concerning the marketing of "boneless wings." The plaintiff alleged false advertising, claiming the product was essentially chicken nuggets. The judge ruled that consumers would not be deceived by the term, considering it a common menu item. The plaintiff has until March 20, 2026, to file an amended complaint.
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Track this story2026
3 updates
2026
3 updatesThe judge granted the plaintiff, Aimen Halim, until March 20, 2026, to file an amended complaint, though he expressed skepticism that additional facts could salvage the case.
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In his ruling, Judge Tharp used several chicken-related puns, stating the complaint had "no meat on its bones" and that the plaintiff did not "drum" up enough factual allegations to state a claim.
via theguardian.com·lawcommentary.com·tastingtable.com·in.marketscreener.com·fox13news.com
U.S. District Judge John J. Tharp Jr. dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that the plaintiff failed to plausibly allege that reasonable consumers are deceived by the term "boneless wings." The judge noted that the term has been in common use for over two decades and that the price difference between boneless and traditional wings should indicate they are not the same product.
via theguardian.com·lawcommentary.com·tastingtable.com·in.marketscreener.com·fox13news.com
2024
1 update
2024
1 updateAn Ohio Supreme Court ruling stated that consumers reading "boneless wings" on a menu would not believe the restaurant was warranting the absence of bones in the items, nor that the items were made from chicken wings. This ruling was later cited in the Buffalo Wild Wings case.
via theguardian.com·lawcommentary.com·tastingtable.com·in.marketscreener.com·fox13news.com
2023
2 updates
2023
2 updatesAimen Halim filed a class-action lawsuit against Buffalo Wild Wings in Illinois, alleging false advertising and violations of the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act. Halim sought approximately $10 million in damages, claiming the "boneless wings" were overpriced because they were essentially chicken nuggets.
via theguardian.com·lawcommentary.com·tastingtable.com·in.marketscreener.com·fox13news.com
Plaintiff Aimen Halim purchased "boneless wings" from Buffalo Wild Wings in Illinois, later claiming he was misled into believing the product was made from deboned chicken wings rather than chicken breast meat.
via theguardian.com·lawcommentary.com·tastingtable.com·in.marketscreener.com·fox13news.com
Story began · 3 years ago