McDonald's has hit Messina with a cease and desist letter after the gelato icecream chain used the 'Mc' prefix at a recent event.
Messina responded with a cheeky open letter on Instagram saying the McDonald's reference was intended to be a tribute to the fast food giant, but acknowledged it "rubbed them the wrong way".
"Seems Ronald didn’t take it too well! They sent us a very polite ‘cease and desist’ this week saying we can’t use the ‘Mc’ prefix. It’s weird, but it’s a thing... We’ve replied with an open letter and we reckon we can win that little clown over," Messina wrote.
The event ran last weekend with Messina offering 'McMessina' breakfast options that resembled McDonald's Egg McMuffin and hash browns.
Messina's open letter to McDonald's
Messina asked McDonald's to allow them to use the 'McMessina 'name in the future, adding their staff were "truly great brand advocates" of the global juggernaut.
A Messina spokesperson confirmed McDonald's issued a warning prior to the event but said there is no legal action proceeding.
McDonald's was approached for comment.
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