Arby’s, known for its roast beef sandwiches, is currently facing a class-action lawsuit that accuses the fast-food chain of serving sandwiches with significantly less meat than advertised. Filed in a New York federal court on September 5th, the lawsuit alleges that Arby’s employs deceptive advertising practices to mislead customers, ultimately seeking monetary damages for the alleged unfair and deceptive trade practices.

The plaintiff, Joseph Alongis, claims that he was left “extremely dissatisfied” when he ordered a Smokehouse Brisket sandwich that bore little resemblance to the enticing image in the advertisement. According to attorney Anthony Russo, Alongis’s grievance centers on the fact that Arby’s uses “false and misleading advertisements” to create unrealistic expectations.

The lawsuit contends that the photographs used by Arby’s in its advertising depict sandwiches with “approximately 100% more meat than what the actual sandwiches that customers receive contain.” This alleged deception is achieved, according to the complaint, by meticulously arranging all the meat at the front of the sandwich during photoshoots and using props to make the meat appear larger in size than the real sandwiches provided to customers.

Furthermore, the lawsuit claims that Arby’s misrepresents the quality of its meat by featuring rare roast beef in its advertisements while serving a lesser-quality product to customers. Alongis has filed the suit on behalf of himself and others who have purchased specific Arby’s menu items in New York.

The complaint accuses Arby’s of violating the New York Deceptive Acts and Practices Act, breach of contract, and unjust enrichment. Alongis argues that had he known the sandwiches contained significantly less meat than advertised and lacked rare roast beef, he would not have made the purchase. The lawsuit also highlights the timing of the allegations, noting that Arby’s actions are particularly concerning amid a backdrop of high inflation and rising food and meat prices, which impact consumers, especially those with lower incomes.

Joseph Alongis seeks unspecified monetary damages from Arby’s, not only for himself but also for members of his class who may have been similarly affected by what they perceive as underwhelming sandwiches. As of now, Arby’s has not responded to requests for comment on the matter. The outcome of this lawsuit may shed light on the broader issue of truth in advertising and the expectations customers hold for fast-food establishments.

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