McDonald's Class Action Settlements Guide (2026)
McDonald's faces several class actions in 2026 — most notably over a 2024 E. coli outbreak, its “100% beef” labeling, and food advertising. Here's a plain-English guide to the cases, who might qualify, and how to claim if a settlement opens.
Active McDonald's cases in 2026
- 2024 Quarter Pounder E. coli outbreak. An outbreak linked to slivered onions sickened more than 100 people across multiple states; the litigation is ongoing and largely personal-injury in nature.
- “100% beef” labeling. A consumer case in discovery; a key hearing expected in late 2026 will decide whether it proceeds as a certified class action.
- Advertising claims. Cases over deceptive food advertising, including marketing aimed at children.
Settled / closed McDonald's cases
- California worker settlement (~$6.5 million). Compensates employees for labor-law violations — this is a worker settlement, not a customer claim.
- Biometric drive-thru (BIPA) case. A voiceprint-privacy case was dropped and dismissed; it is not an active consumer claim.
Is any McDonald's claim open right now?
For consumers, not yet. The E. coli and beef-labeling cases haven't opened claim windows, and the worker settlement is separate from customer claims. Watch for an official notice if the consumer cases settle.
Who could qualify?
Depending on the case: McDonald's customers during the class period, or people harmed by the E. coli outbreak. The court-approved settlement notice defines exactly who qualifies and what proof (if any) is required.
How to claim a McDonald's settlement when one opens
Keep any receipts or records and watch for an official notice. Class Action Buddy can auto-fill the claim from your saved profile and alert you the moment a McDonald's settlement opens.
Common questions
Is there a McDonald's settlement I can claim in 2026?
For consumers, not yet. The major McDonald's cases — the 2024 Quarter Pounder E. coli litigation and the '100% beef' labeling case — are still in earlier stages with no open claim form. A California worker settlement is separate from customer claims.
What is the McDonald's E. coli lawsuit about?
It stems from a 2024 E. coli outbreak linked to slivered onions on Quarter Pounders that sickened more than 100 people across several states. The litigation is ongoing and mostly involves personal-injury claims.
What happened to the McDonald's biometric drive-thru lawsuit?
A case alleging McDonald's AI drive-thru voice assistant captured customers' voiceprints without consent (under Illinois' BIPA) was dropped, with the parties filing for dismissal. It is not an active consumer claim.
How do I claim a McDonald's settlement when one opens?
Keep any receipts or records and watch for an official notice. Class Action Buddy tracks McDonald's cases and alerts you when a settlement opens that you qualify for, then auto-fills the claim for you to review and submit.
Never miss a McDonald's settlement
Class Action Buddy tracks new McDonald's settlements and notifies you when one opens that you qualify for. Get the free app or see whether there's a class action against McDonald's.