Perdue Foods has filed a federal lawsuit against John Soules Foods over “6-7” chicken nuggets, turning a Gen Alpha slang-inspired frozen food launch into a trademark fight. The case centers on nuggets shaped like the numbers 6 and 7, but the bigger dispute is about packaging, brand identity and whether shoppers could confuse one company’s product for the other.
The lawsuit was filed on June 23, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Perdue alleges John Soules Foods copied key elements of its “6-7” nugget branding, including breaded numeral graphics, cartoon-style hands and a similar overall package presentation. The case includes claims of trademark infringement, trade dress infringement, false designation of origin and unfair competition.
What Perdue Claims Soules Foods Copied
Perdue says the dispute is not only about selling chicken nuggets shaped like numbers. Its complaint focuses on the way Soules Foods presented its product to shoppers. According to Perdue, Soules’ packaging uses the same core source-identifying elements as Perdue’s version, including chicken nuggets shaped as the numerals 6 and 7 and cartoon hands placed underneath them.
In trademark law, that broader package appearance is often described as trade dress. It can include the visual look, design style and presentation that consumers associate with a specific brand. Perdue argues Soules’ product creates a risk that shoppers may believe the two “6-7” nugget products are connected, approved by the same company or made by the same source.
The federal case listing for Perdue Foods LLC v. John Soules Foods, Inc. shows the complaint was filed in Virginia federal court on June 23, 2026.
How the “6-7” Chicken Nugget Race Started
Perdue announced its “6-7” chicken nuggets in April 2026. The product was built around the youth slang phrase “six-seven,” which became widely used in online culture and among Gen Alpha. The nuggets were shaped like the numbers 6 and 7, making the product easy to connect with the phrase.
According to the details in the filing, Perdue’s nuggets went on sale in Walmart stores nationwide by May 1. Before the national rollout, Perdue also filed several trademark applications connected to the product, including artwork used on packaging that showed the “6” and “7” nuggets with cartoon hands underneath them.
John Soules Foods, which also operates under the Soules Kitchen brand, announced its own “6-7” chicken nuggets on June 7. The company said its product would be available at Kroger and Aldi stores nationwide in July.
Why the “6-7” Phrase Matters
The phrase “6-7” is a major part of the product story. Dictionary.com named “6-7” its 2025 Word of the Year, describing it as a slang expression tied to swagger, humor and insider status in internet and youth culture.
That background helps explain why food companies saw the phrase as commercially valuable. A frozen nugget shaped like “6” and “7” is not just a dinner item; it is a product designed to connect with a cultural joke that children, parents and social media users already recognize.
That also makes the legal fight more important for brands. When companies turn a trend into a product, the design choices around packaging, graphics, launch timing and advertising can quickly become business assets worth protecting.
Soules Foods and the “67 Kid” Partnership
Soules Foods added another trend-driven element to its launch by partnering with Maverick Trevillian, the teen widely known as the “67 Kid.” Trevillian became associated with the phrase after a viral basketball-game moment in 2025.
Soules said Trevillian spent months working with the company to help shape the product experience. Its packaging also includes a cartoon character resembling him, according to the details shared in the report.
That partnership gives Soules a separate marketing angle around the “6-7” trend. However, Perdue’s lawsuit argues that Soules’ overall packaging still comes too close to Perdue’s claimed branding and could mislead shoppers.
Cease-and-Desist Letter Came Before the Lawsuit
The dispute moved quickly after Soules announced its product. Perdue says it sent a cease-and-desist letter to Soules on June 9, asking the company to stop using packaging that featured the disputed nugget graphics and hand gesture elements.
According to Perdue’s filing, Soules responded on June 17 and said it would not agree to stop using the packaging. Perdue then filed the federal lawsuit less than a week later.
Soules Foods has rejected Perdue’s allegations. In a statement to USA TODAY, the company said it disagreed with Perdue’s claims and had retained counsel to defend its position.
Perdue Says Consumers Were Already Confused
Perdue claims consumer confusion had already appeared before Soules’ full retail rollout. The company cited a widely shared Instagram post showing Soules’ nuggets, where at least one commenter reportedly said they had seen “6-7” chicken nuggets at Walmart before Soules’ launch.
That detail matters because Walmart was tied to Perdue’s product launch, while Soules said its nuggets would be sold through Kroger and Aldi. Perdue argues that this kind of confusion can damage its control over its reputation and goodwill with consumers.
Perdue also alleged that a major national grocery retailer refused to carry its “6-7” nuggets because it planned to carry Soules’ version. If that claim becomes central in court, it could help Perdue argue that the dispute has affected retail opportunities, not just packaging similarity.
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Why This Case Matters Beyond Frozen Nuggets
For shoppers, this is not a food safety case and there is no recall mentioned in the lawsuit details. The issue is whether the branding and packaging of two competing products are close enough to create confusion in the frozen food aisle.
For food companies, the case shows how fast internet culture can become a legal and commercial issue. A phrase that starts as a youth trend can quickly become a retail product, a marketing campaign and a trademark dispute.
The case also fits a broader pattern of restaurants and food brands reacting quickly to viral consumer behavior. In a related food-industry example, In-N-Out reportedly changed its ordering system after the “6-7” TikTok trend overwhelmed restaurants, showing how online trends can create real-world business consequences.
The lawsuit will now move through the federal court process unless the companies reach a settlement. Perdue may seek court action to stop Soules from using the disputed packaging while the case continues, though the final outcome will depend on how the court weighs trademark rights, trade dress, similarity and likely consumer confusion.
The fight over “6-7” chicken nuggets shows how a playful frozen food product can become a serious legal battle. In today’s grocery market, a product’s name, package art, cultural hook and retail timing can be just as valuable as the food inside the box.
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