IRVINE, CALIFORNIA — In-N-Out Burger is taking legal action against popular YouTuber Bryan Arnett for allegedly impersonating an employee of the fast-food chain and filming inappropriate prank videos that damaged its reputation.
The lawsuit, filed in district court in central California, accuses Arnett of trademark infringement and business defamation.
The Alleged Impersonation
According to the complaint, Arnett wore a fake In-N-Out uniform emblazoned with the company’s trademarked branding, posing as an actual employee. In doing so, Arnett deceived customers into believing that he was a legitimate representative of the company.
The lawsuit claims that the videos he posted online contained lewd, derogatory, and profane remarks that were harmful to the reputation of In-N-Out Burger.
Arnett allegedly made false and offensive claims while interacting with customers. He is accused of telling patrons that the company’s food contained cockroaches and condoms.
Additionally, he reportedly told them that restaurant staff “put their feet in lettuce served to customers”, further adding to the damaging statements.
In-N-Out’s Legal Action
In-N-Out Burger, a beloved fast-food chain that was founded in 1948 and is based in Irvine, California, has filed the lawsuit to protect its brand reputation and intellectual property.
The company operates in California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and Texas. In the legal filing, In-N-Out is seeking multiple actions:
- A ban on Arnett from entering any In-N-Out restaurants.
- Removal of all online videos and posts that refer to the company.
- Damages for harm to its reputation and any profits Arnett might have made from the videos.
While the videos have been removed from Arnett’s public YouTube channel, they had been widely circulated before being taken down.
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Arnett’s YouTube Presence
Arnett, who has roughly 334,000 subscribers on YouTube, is known for posting a variety of videos on topics ranging from pranks to personal experiments.
One such video featured him spending 24 hours in a Planet Fitness gym, testing the company’s policy that lets premium members work out as long as they want.
While his videos typically revolve around pranks and challenges, his impersonation of an In-N-Out employee has now sparked legal controversy.
What’s Next?
The lawsuit has brought attention to the potential legal consequences of pranking and impersonation, especially when it involves trademarked branding and reputational harm to well-known companies.
In-N-Out has made it clear that it intends to protect its image and hold individuals accountable for actions that could negatively affect the brand.
Arnett’s defense or response to the lawsuit remains unclear at this time, and the case will likely proceed through the legal process in the coming months.
What Do You Think?
Do you believe the lawsuit is justified, or is this just another example of a harmless prank gone too far? Should influencers and pranksters be more cautious about impersonating brands for content? Share your thoughts in the comments below on RidgecrestPact.org.
