UPDATED 8/8, 7:31 a.m. ET: MrBeast has now been sued by Virtual Dining Concepts.
As announced Tuesday, Virtual Dining Concepts and Celebrity Virtual Dining (collectively known as VDC) sued the YouTube personality and his Beast Investments company over their MrBeast Burger partnership.
The suit alleges MrBeast has failed to honor certain contractual obligations. Furthermore, he’s accused of causing material damage to the reputation of MrBeast Burger, as well as to VDC. The latter, the suit argues, is estimated to be in the nine-figure range.
“VDC looks forward to holding Mr. Donaldson and BI accountable for their actions,” a rep said on Tuesday. “In the meantime, it is business as usual for MrBeast Burger and VDC to the greatest extent possible, and VDC looks forward to serving many more satisfied customers and continuing to help the restaurant industry.”
UPDATED 8/3, 7:30 a.m. ET: Virtual Dining Concepts has issued an extended response to MrBeast’s lawsuit, arguing that the complaint is “riddled with false statements and inaccuracies.” Furthermore, a VDC rep said in a statement provided to Complex via email, the company alleges that MrBeast recently tried to negotiate a new deal using what they claim were “bullying tactics.” According to them, the lawsuit was filed once this alleged attempt at a new deal failed to move forward.
“We had hoped [MrBeast] would act honorably,” company reps said. “Instead, having elevated greed over his word and the truth, he will face the consequences in court when VDC files its claims against him.”
See original story below.
MrBeast is suing his MrBeast Burger partner for allegedly providing customers with "disgusting" and "inedible" products.
As first reported by Bloomberg, the wildly popular YouTube personality alleges breach of contract in his legal action against Virtual Dining Concepts through his own Beast Investments LLC. MrBeast and Virtual Dining Concepts initially partnered for the endeavor back in 2020.
In a copy of the complaint obtained by Complex, MrBeast’s legal representatives point to what they estimate are “thousands of negative reviews” that have since been spurred by the virtual dining brand.
"Because quality and fan/customer satisfaction are paramount above all else for MrBeast, he expected that his fans would be the recipients of excellent customer service and a superior branded food product," the complaint states. "Unfortunately, however, because Virtual Dining Concepts was more focused on rapidly expanding the business as a way to pitch the virtual restaurant model to other celebrities for its own benefit, it was not focused on controlling the quality of the MrBeast Burger customer experience and products."
A number of negative product reviews are cited in the complaint, including instances of consumers calling the food they received “disgusting,” “revolting,” and “inedible.” One user called the burger “likely the worst burger I have ever had, while yet another claimed they had “never had something so nasty.”
Due to the name of the virtual dining brand, and the high standard of quality MrBeast says his fans expect of him, the MrBeast Burger partnership has resulted in customers mistakenly believing that he himself is responsible for the alleged quality issues. As a result, MrBeast says Virtual Dining Concepts has caused “irreparable harm” to his reputation.
Moving forward, MrBeast is seeking the right to terminate the business, as it “should not continue” if it’s unable to meet expectations.
Complex has reached out to a rep for MrBeast, as well as to Virtual Dining Concepts, for comment. This story may be updated.
MrBeast has publicly commented on some fans' expressions of disappointment with the burger. In July, for example, he told a fan whose burger was "not good" that he wasn't able to get out of his current deal.
"Hence why I’m never giving up control of Feastables so I can always do what’s best for my fans," he said at the time, referencing another food project of his. "Harsh lesson to learn."
