Black McDonald's franchise owner sues chain over claims of discrimination

Civil rights lawsuit says company's practices led to a $700,000 sales gap between Black- and white-owned franchises

The Black owner of 14 McDonald's franchises in Ohio says one of the world's largest restaurant chains has shown more favorable treatment to white owners and denied him the opportunity to buy restaurants in more affluent communities, according to a civil rights lawsuit filed this week.

The lawsuit filed by Herbert Washington, a former college track star who played for parts of two seasons with the Oakland Athletics in the mid-1970s, said the Chicago-based company's discriminatory practices has led to a $700,000 sales gap between Black-owned franchises and those owned by whites.