In-N-Out Burger, a fast-food chain with a deeply held reputation for family values and a respectful customer environment, has filed a federal lawsuit against YouTuber Bryan Arnett. The legal action stems from a prank video posted by Arnett in April 2024, in which he impersonated an employee, interacted with customers inappropriately, and made vulgar and disturbing comments—all under the guise of content creation.
The incident took place at a closed In-N-Out location in Glendale, California, on Easter Sunday, when all branches were shut down. The lawsuit, filed on June 20, alleges that Arnett engaged in behavior that amounted to misrepresentation of the brand, defamation, and public deception.
Known for his prank videos and social media stunts, Arnett has over 600,000 followers across YouTube and Instagram. In the now-unavailable video, he wore In-N-Out’s signature red apron and paper hat, took fake orders, offered imaginary menu items, and made shocking comments to unsuspecting customers.
The company’s swift legal response sends a clear message: such antics will not be tolerated, especially when they compromise the values and trust In-N-Out has cultivated for over 70 years.
The Incident That Sparked the Lawsuit
The prank video at the center of the controversy was posted on April 25, 2024. Dressed as a legitimate In-N-Out employee, Bryan Arnett set up shop at a closed location’s drive-thru window. The video, filmed on Easter Sunday, featured Arnett taking “orders” from real customers who were unaware the restaurant was closed and that the person behind the window was not an employee. In the video, Arnett made vulgar jokes, fabricated bizarre menu options, and repeatedly crossed boundaries of decency and legality.
Among the more disturbing moments was a scene in which Arnett asked a customer, “I like watching my wife sleeping with other men. Is that something you’d be interested in?” In another part, he and an accomplice made tasteless jokes about cockroaches and condoms in meals.
These comments weren’t only inappropriate—they were offensive, shocking, and purposefully inflammatory. The humor, if any, was rooted in violating the trust between customers and the brand, as well as exploiting people’s expectations of a family-friendly experience at In-N-Out.
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This wasn’t Arnett’s first stunt involving the popular fast-food chain. In the past, he has paid for his meals in pennies and even installed a fake employee-of-the-month plaque inside one of the restaurants. But this time, his antics went too far. The content wasn’t simply mischievous—it was vulgar, suggestive, and deeply misrepresentative of what In-N-Out stands for.
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After the video circulated and public backlash mounted, In-N-Out issued a cease-and-desist letter to Arnett in early May. The lawsuit followed shortly after, seeking to prevent Arnett from entering any of its locations in the future, recoup any earnings generated from the video, and demand monetary damages for the damage inflicted on the brand’s reputation.
In-N-Out’s Response and Legal Position
In-N-Out is not new to defending its image in court. Known for its protective stance toward its employees and brand identity, the Southern California-based chain has a long-standing reputation for upholding family-oriented values and providing a wholesome, respectful customer experience. The latest incident with Bryan Arnett has triggered a serious legal response not just for the immediate damage caused, but as a warning to others who may seek to exploit the brand for viral content.
Arnie Wensinger, In-N-Out Burger’s Chief Legal & Business Officer, released a powerful statement explaining the rationale behind the lawsuit. He noted, “For over seven decades, we have worked hard to create a welcoming and enjoyable experience for every Customer who visits us. 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.”
Wensinger emphasized that Arnett’s actions represented a broader trend where influencers and content creators increasingly cross legal and moral boundaries for the sake of virality. “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,” he said.
In-N-Out’s legal strategy aims to not only address the harm caused by this particular video but also to deter future behavior from other content creators. The lawsuit filed in federal court seeks injunctive relief to ban Arnett from all In-N-Out locations, disgorgement of any profits made from the video, and compensatory damages. This type of legal action signifies a zero-tolerance approach toward individuals who use the company’s image as a platform for harmful or inappropriate conduct.
Bryan Arnett’s Response and the Culture of Prank Content
Bryan Arnett has responded to the lawsuit in typical influencer fashion—by filming another video. In this one, he sits in his car, eating In-N-Out food, and addresses the legal action filed against him. The tone is nonchalant, almost dismissive. “When I went out and filmed the video, I kinda knew what kind of waters I was stepping into,” he says. “I knew I was kinda teetering the line a little bit, pushing my luck.”
His response lacks remorse or acknowledgment of the harm caused. Instead, he frames the situation as a predictable consequence of his actions, even going so far as to say, “I wouldn’t say I’m worried about the lawsuit… it’ll probably be annoying or whatever, but whatever’s gonna happen is gonna happen.”
This attitude reflects a broader issue within the influencer and prank video ecosystem: a growing tendency to provoke for profit, regardless of the consequences. For some content creators, legal action, outrage, and media attention are part of the business model. But for companies like In-N-Out, such antics pose a real threat to employee safety, customer trust, and brand integrity.
The ethics of prank culture are increasingly being scrutinized. Many prank videos blur the line between comedy and harassment, often placing unsuspecting individuals in uncomfortable or even traumatic situations. And while some may argue that content like Arnett’s falls under free speech or satire, legal experts point out that impersonation, trespassing, and misrepresentation can easily cross into unlawful territory.
Arnett’s choice to film inside a closed location, while dressed as an employee, created a false impression that directly implicated In-N-Out in behavior it had no control over. His comments, which included sexually suggestive and inappropriate remarks, further crossed a line that most would agree is unacceptable—especially in a setting that families frequent with young children.
The lawsuit between In-N-Out Burger and YouTuber Bryan Arnett is more than just a legal battle over one offensive prank video. It’s a flashpoint in the ongoing tension between traditional businesses trying to maintain a respectable image and social media personalities pushing the limits of acceptability for views and profits.
In-N-Out’s response has been firm and clear. Through legal channels, the company aims to protect not just its reputation, but its employees and customers from being unwilling participants in someone else’s pursuit of online fame. It also sets a precedent—albeit a controversial one—that companies can and will hold content creators accountable when they use deception, vulgarity, or false association for entertainment.
Bryan Arnett, on the other hand, seems unfazed by the seriousness of the claims. His casual, sarcastic response to the lawsuit only adds fuel to the fire, reinforcing the view that for some influencers, controversy is not a setback but part of the plan. Whether the courts will agree or make an example out of Arnett remains to be seen.
But one thing is certain: In-N-Out Burger is drawing a line in the sand. And any influencer hoping to use the company’s name as a launchpad for viral fame may now think twice.