A popular content creator on YouTube is facing a lawsuit from the well-known restaurant chain In-N-Out Burger for his pranks where he pretended to be a fast-food employee and made inappropriate remarks to customers.
Bryan Arnett allegedly told customers that condoms and bugs were inside orders.
Renowned prankster Arnett uploaded a video online showing the stunts, which are believed to have taken place on Easter Sunday, April 20.
This was despite the fact that In-N-Out Burger establishments were closed.
Pictures from the lawsuit, seen by The U.S. Sun, show Arnett wearing a hat with In-N-Out branding on it as if he was a fast-food server.
He was also seen clutching what appears to be a menu as he stood outside a restaurant.
The pranks are believed to have taken place at locations across southern California.
Arnett allegedly told diners that an In-N-Out staffer put their feet in lettuce.
And, he is accused of creating a stunt to make it look like cockroaches were in a meal.
He claimed the restaurant was grappling with a bad cockroach problem.
He also made sexual and racist remarks to diners, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit claimed he recorded the customers without their permission.
RESTAURANT ‘DEFAMED’
Arnett is also accused of offering unsuspecting customers food that doesn’t exist.
And, he reportedly refused to leave the restaurant’s grounds when ordered by legitimate In-N-Out workers, according to the suit.
Arnett reportedly put a fake employee of the month placard that had his picture inside several establishments.
In-N-Out bosses have claimed that Arnett’s stunts were an effort to try and defame the brand’s reputation.
Arnett, of Fillmore, California, uploaded the video on April 25 and within a week, In N Out bosses sent him a cease and desist letter.
The lawsuit was filed on June 20 and in the documents, the brand stressed that it cares deeply about its diners.
And, it said that it has suffered, and will continue to suffer “irreparable” injuries.
Arnett commented on the lawsuit in a clip, which has also since been made private, as reported by SFGate.
“I’m not gonna sit here and act surprised,” he said.
Arnett admitted that he knew he was pushing his luck when he shared the clips.
BREAKING SILENCE
“I wouldn’t say I’m worried about the lawsuit,” he added.
“It’ll probably be annoying or whatever, but whatever’s gonna happen is gonna happen.”
Arnett risks being banned from In-N-Out if the restaurant chain is successful.
And, the YouTuber might have to pay financial penalties if he loses the case.
Arnett is best known for his YouTube pages and has been sharing content since 2011.
His videos have racked up more than 86 million views.
The YouTuber’s videos range from daring challenges like consuming and burning 10,000 calories in a day to unique experiments like surviving on only vending machine snacks for 72 hours.
With over 300,000 followers on his YouTube channel, Arnett’s most recent upload, posted over a week ago, featured him documenting his experience of living in a public gym.
He has not shared any further content, discussing the In-N-Out case.
Arnie Wensinger, the chief legal and business officer for In-N-Out, blasted Arnett’s actions.
“For over seven decades, we have worked hard to create a welcoming and enjoyable experience for every Customer who visits us,” Wensinger said.
“Recently, we have seen an increase in online media personalities who have chosen to play pranks or practical jokes that are designed to embarrass, humiliate, or upset our Customers, their families, and our Associates.
“These individuals have engaged in behavior that includes deception, trespass, lewdness, and other actions that have then been posted on social media for their personal and monetary gain at the expense of our Customers and the In-N-Out Burger brand.
“By filing this lawsuit, we are putting all such individuals on notice that In-N-Out Burger will aggressively pursue all legal rights against these individuals going forward.”
In-N-Out Burger statement
In-N-Out Burger has issued a statement after filing a lawsuit against the YouTuber Bryan Arnett over pranks he is accused of orchestrating outside fast-food restaurants.
“For over seven decades, we have worked hard to create a welcoming and enjoyable experience for every Customer who visits us,” Arnie Wensinger, the chief legal and business officer of In-N-Out, said.
“Recently, we have seen an increase in online media personalities who have chosen to play pranks or practical jokes that are designed to embarrass, humiliate, or upset our Customers, their families, and our Associates.
“These individuals have engaged in behavior that includes deception, trespass, lewdness, and other actions that have then been posted on social media for their personal and monetary gain at the expense of our Customers and the In-N-Out Burger brand.
“By filing this lawsuit, we are putting all such individuals on notice that In-N-Out Burger will aggressively pursue all legal rights against these individuals going forward.”
