Illinois Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Over Buffalo Wild Wings’ ‘Boneless Wings’ Label
CHICAGO, Ill. — A federal judge in Illinois has dismissed a lawsuit challenging Buffalo Wild Wings’ use of the term “boneless wings,” ruling that the phrase is a commonly accepted term in the food industry and does not constitute deceptive marketing. The decision came Tuesday from U.S. District Judge John Tharp Jr., who found that reasonable consumers would not be misled into believing the product is made from de-boned chicken wing meat rather than fried chicken breast meat.
The lawsuit was filed in March 2023 by Chicago resident Aimen Halim, who alleged that the restaurant chain’s labeling of its boneless chicken products was false advertising. Halim argued that the term “boneless wings” implies the product consists of wing meat without bones, leading consumers to mistakenly purchase what is actually chicken breast meat shaped and fried to resemble wings. He claimed he would not have bought the product had he known the truth.
Buffalo Wild Wings responded publicly to the lawsuit in 2023 with a tweet acknowledging the nature of their product: “It’s true. Our boneless wings are all white meat chicken. Our hamburgers contain no ham. Our buffalo wings are 0% buffalo.” This tongue-in-cheek admission highlighted the common industry practice of using colloquial names for menu items that may not literally reflect their ingredients.
In his ruling, Judge Tharp emphasized that the term “boneless wings” has been in widespread use for over two decades and is well understood by consumers. “Boneless wings are not a niche product for which a consumer would need to do extensive research to figure out the truth,” he wrote. The court concluded that Halim did not provide sufficient factual allegations to prove that Buffalo Wild Wings’ marketing was deceptive.
While the judge recognized that Halim had standing to bring the claim due to plausible economic injury, he found no evidence that reasonable consumers are confused by the terminology. The ruling also granted Halim leave to amend and refile his complaint by March 20, 2026, although the judge expressed skepticism that additional facts could change the outcome.
Buffalo Wild Wings celebrated the ruling on social media Thursday, tweeting, “They’re called boneless wings and will forever be called boneless wings.” The company’s stance aligns with broader food industry practices where terms like “wings” and “buffalo” have evolved beyond their literal meanings. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides guidance on food labeling to prevent consumer deception but acknowledges that common vernacular often shapes product names (FDA Food Labeling Guide).
This case highlights ongoing debates over food marketing and consumer expectations. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces laws against deceptive advertising and has issued guidelines to help companies avoid misleading claims (FTC Advertising FAQs). However, courts often consider whether the average consumer would be misled, taking into account industry norms and common usage.
Legal experts note that similar cases have been brought against other food companies over product names that do not literally describe ingredients, such as “veggie burgers” or “buffalo wings.” The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) regulates meat labeling to ensure safety and accuracy but does not mandate literal ingredient naming in colloquial terms (USDA Food Labeling).
For consumers, this ruling underscores the importance of understanding that menu terms may not always reflect precise ingredient content. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) encourages consumers to ask questions and seek ingredient information when uncertain about food products (BBB on Food Labels).
As food marketing continues to evolve, courts will likely face more challenges balancing consumer protection with industry practices. For now, Buffalo Wild Wings’ “boneless wings” remain a fixture on menus nationwide, their name firmly entrenched in popular culture despite the controversy.
Leave a Reply