Burger battle: How a tiny Westport food truck found itself at odds with McDonald's

Mister Chops, a small food truck based in Westport, found itself embroiled in a dispute with McDonald's after the fast food giant issued a cease-and-desist letter over one of its burger specials. Mister Chops operates three days a week and frequently alters its menu, but recently, the highlight of its offerings was the Chops Big Mac.

This prompted McDonald's to send a letter alleging trademark infringement and claiming that the burger closely resembled its iconic offerings. The owners of Mister Chops, Rob Carroll and Alex Hogg, expressed shock at receiving the letter, noting that being a small food truck in Westport, they had not anticipated such attention from a major fast food chain.

McDonald's, they explained, claimed that their burger, which featured two beef patties along with lettuce and a special sauce, was too similar to the classic Big Mac. However, Hogg emphasized that such similarities were common in the burger industry. The pair noted that the burger was a special feature of the week and would not reappear.

Upon explaining the situation, McDonald's stated the matter was resolved. The owners acknowledged that while McDonald's had the right to protect its brand, it was challenging to see why the fast food giant would target their limited-time offering. Regular patrons even suggested that Mister Chops' Big Mac might be better than the original, adding a humorous twist to the otherwise serious matter.

Mister Chops has since introduced a new weekly special, the O.D.B. - a chili con carne burger named after a member of the Wu-Tang Clan.