'6-7' chicken nuggets ruffle feathers. Why Perdue is suing a competitor

Two food service companies are in court over who gets to rule the roost on "6-7" chicken nuggets.

Perdue Foods is suing John Soules Foods after both companies launched frozen chicken nugget products inspired by the popular slang term "6-7." The nuggets are in the shape of 6's and 7's.

In a June 23 filing in U.S. District Court for Eastern Virginia, Perdue claims Soules Foods' "6-7" chicken nuggets have "highly similar breaded-numeral logo and packaging presentation" to its own product.

"Six-seven" is a slang phrase popularly used by Gen Alpha. According to a definition on Dictionary.com, the saying is "used to indicate swagger or insider status in internet and youth culture."

Perdue is claiming false designation of origin, unfair competition and trademark and trade dress infringement.

In a statement to USA TODAY, Soules Foods said: "We disagree with Perdue’s claims and have retained counsel to defend our position."

USA TODAY reached out to Perdue for comment.

Who gets to sell '6-7' chicken nuggets? Perdue sues Soules Foods

Perdue announced the launch of its "6-7" chicken nuggets in April, and they went on sale in Walmart stores nationwide by May 1, according to the filing.

Before the nationwide launch, Perdue also filed several trademark applications tied to the product, including for an image used on the product packaging showing the "6" and "7" nuggets each with cartoon hands underneath them, according to the filing.

Soules Foods, which also operates under the brand name Soules Kitchen, announced the launch its "6-7" chicken nuggets June 7, according to a news release. The company said its nuggets would be available to purchase at Kroger and Aldi stores nationwide come July.

Additionally, Soules Foods partnered with Maverick Trevillian, a teen who went viral after doing the gesture at basketball game in 2025 and became known as "the 67 kid."

"Trevillian, the undisputed subject matter expert, has spent months with Soules Kitchen ensuring that these nuggets aren't just shapes, but a superior eating experience," the company's news release says.

In the lawsuit, Perdue says Soules' packaging uses "the same core source-identifying elements" as Perdue's, including breaded chicken nugget numerals 6 and 7 and cartoon hands underneath them.

Aside from the graphics of the nuggets and hand gestures, Soules' packaging also features a cartoon character resembling Trevillian.

Perdue says competitors' '6-7' chicken nuggets confuse consumers

According to the lawsuit, Perdue sent a cease-and-desist letter to Soules on June 9, requesting that the company stop using the packaging featuring the nuggets and hand gesture. On June 17, Soules responded to the letter and said it would not agree to stop using the packaging, Perdue wrote in the filing.

Perdue says Soules' product has already confused consumers, citing a widespread Instagram post showing Soules' nuggets in which at least one commenter said they saw "6-7" chicken nuggets at Walmart before Soules' launch.

Also, Perdue says in the filing, a "major national grocery retailer" refused to carry its "6-7" nuggets because it would be carrying Soules' product.

"Consumer confusion associating Perdue with Soules’ 67 Chicken Nuggets product robs Perdue of control over its own reputation and goodwill with consumers," the lawsuit says.

This story has been updated with additional information.

Contributing: Greta Cross

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. Keep up with her on X @melinakh and Instagram @bymelinakhan.