Manning, et al v. McDonald's
The McDonald’s corporation has carefully fostered a public image as a friend to the Black community, and it has sold Black franchise owners on the chance to own a part of the American dream.Â
However—as a 2020 lawsuit filed by former Black executives (turned-whistleblowers) Vicki Guster-Hines and Domineca Neal revealed—in reality racial injustice runs deep in the corporation. Black franchisees report they have found themselves trapped in a cycle of financial duress, driven by racism, without receiving the opportunities, the accommodations, or the support that White owners enjoyed.
In 2023, more than 40 former franchisees—all Black, and all alleging they were forced out of McDonald’s through unfair and discriminatory practices—have filed a lawsuit to ensure their stories can be told to a federal jury.Â
At a Glance
What It’s About
In 2023, over 40 former Black franchisees joined together to file two lawsuits—Manning, et al v. McDonald’s USA and McPherson v. McDonald’s USA—alleging they were forced out of the McDonald’s corporation due to this systemic pattern of racial discrimination.Â
The lawsuit asks a federal jury to rule on damages related to violations of their civil rights, including charges of unfair policies, unequal treatment, and illegal discrimination.
This alleged misconduct includes:Â
- forcing Plaintiffs to franchise locations that were less profitable, located in lower-income or higher-crime neighborhoods, and in poorer physical condition;
- targeting Plaintiffs for unfair and unreasonable enforcement of their franchisor/franchisee contracts;
- targeting Plaintiffs for unfair and unreasonable inspections and grading of their restaurants;
- denying Plaintiffs the benefit of programs and opportunities that were offered to white franchisees; andÂ
- denying Plaintiffs’ requests to sell their franchises to the buyer of their choosing at a favorable negotiated price.
Parties
The plaintiffs in this case include over 40 Black former McDonald’s franchisees from more than a dozen states. The plaintiffs are represented by attorneys from Loevy + Loevy.Â
Current Status
In McPherson v. McDonald’s USA, fact discovery has started, which allows the parties to exchange evidence, identify witnesses, and uncover the facts of the case. In Manning, et. al., v. McDonald’s USA, the parties are currently applying the Court’s statute of limitations rulings from McPherson to the viable claims of the more than 40 plaintiffs.
For More Information
Contact attorney Quinn Rallins at rallins@loevy.com.Â
Broken Promises, Broken Dreams
“All of us were former McDonald’s franchisees, who literally and figuratively bought into the promise McDonald’s makes to its independent operators: that we would be able to become successful business owners, build generational wealth in our communities, and own a little piece of the American dream.
“But all of us saw that promise broken, and our dreams betrayed. And—though we come from all over the country—all of us are Black, and our experiences were depressingly similar: we were forced out of the McDonald’s system due to unfair policies, unequal treatment, and illegal discrimination.”
— from a June 2025 statement issued by the former franchisees, calling for a boycott of McDonald’s.Â
Video Testimonials from Plaintiffs
Key Filings
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