Court Dismisses Class Action Against Buffalo Wild Wings Over ‘Boneless Wings’

A federal court in Illinois has ruled against a nationwide class action lawsuit that accused Buffalo Wild Wings of misleading customers with its “boneless wings” labeling.

The Case Background

In a ruling issued by U.S. District Judge John J. Tharp Jr., the plaintiff, Aimen Halim, was found not to have convincingly demonstrated that an average consumer would be misled by the phrase “boneless wings.” Halim’s lawsuit stemmed from a 2023 purchase at a suburban Chicago location, where he argued he expected to receive traditional chicken wings, minus the bones. Instead, he received pieces of chicken breast prepared in a wing-style fashion.

Legal Allegations

The complaint asserted violations under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, along with claims of breach of express warranty, common law fraud, and unjust enrichment. Halim sought to represent a nationwide class of customers who he contended believed the product was made from genuine wing meat.

Court’s Analysis and Findings

Although the court acknowledged that Halim had standing—indicating he might have opted not to purchase the item or would have paid less had he been aware of its composition—the judge ultimately dismissed the case on the grounds of insufficient evidence.

Judge Tharp characterized the term “boneless wings” as a widely accepted and imaginative term that consumers would not reasonably interpret to mean de-boned wing meat. He highlighted that this product has been on the market for over two decades and is typically priced lower than traditional bone-in wings, supporting his conclusion that customers were unlikely to be deceived.

Outcome of the Case

Based on the lack of a plausible deceptive practice claim, the court dismissed the lawsuit in its entirety. However, Halim has been granted the opportunity to submit an amended complaint by March 20. The judge cautioned, though, that changes to the claims may not significantly alter the case’s outcome.

As this legal matter unfolds, it raises questions about consumer perception and the language used in food marketing. As the public continues to engage with such cases, the implications for both diners and restaurants remain a subject of keen interest.

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