Yellowstone Shocker: Cole Hauser SUES Taylor Sheridan – The Coffee Feud That Shook Hollywood!

Hold onto your hats, Yellowstone fans, because a major legal battle has erupted behind the scenes! Cole Hauser, best known as Rip Wheeler, has taken legal action against Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, and it’s all over… coffee? Yes, you heard that right. A business dispute over coffee branding has led to a lawsuit that could impact their working relationship and the future of the Yellowstone franchise.

So, what went wrong between the beloved actor and the powerful showrunner? Let’s break it all down.

The Feud Between Cole Hauser & Taylor Sheridan

For six years, Yellowstone has been one of the biggest TV hits, and Rip Wheeler’s character has been a fan favorite. His relationship with Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) has captivated audiences, and Hauser has built a strong reputation both on and off the screen.

However, behind the scenes, things between Hauser and Sheridan weren’t as smooth as they appeared. The reason? Business competition.

The Coffee War That Led to a Lawsuit

As Yellowstone skyrocketed in popularity, Cole Hauser saw an opportunity to launch his own coffee brand, Free Rein Coffee Company. The goal? To give fans a taste of the cowboy lifestyle and allow them to start their mornings with a brew inspired by the Western way of life.

Sounds like a great idea, right? Well, there was just one problem—Sheridan already had his own coffee brand, Bosque Ranch Coffee.

This led to a branding dispute that quickly escalated into a legal battle.

The Lawsuit – What Was the Argument?

In November 2023, Bosque Ranch Coffee (Sheridan’s brand) filed a lawsuit against Free Rein Coffee (Hauser’s brand), claiming:

Their logos were too similar and could confuse consumers.
Free Rein Coffee was profiting off Yellowstone’s success and potentially taking away customers from Bosque Ranch Coffee.

If you look at the logos side by side, there are similarities—both have a Western, cowboy aesthetic with landscape and ranch themes. But does that really justify a lawsuit?

Did Hauser’s Coffee Really Copy Sheridan’s?

Cole Hauser’s team denied the accusations, arguing that:

“Free Rein” is a common Western term and not exclusive to Yellowstone.
The design elements of the coffee branding were not copied from Bosque Ranch Coffee.
Sheridan was simply trying to monopolize Western-style branding and shut down competition.

Hauser also rebranded Free Rein Coffee from its original name, Longhorn Coffee Company, which led some to speculate that Yellowstone had a direct influence on the change.

The Legal Outcome – A Private Settlement

By early 2024, the lawsuit was settled out of court. Hauser agreed to make slight adjustments to Free Rein Coffee’s branding to ensure it looked different from Bosque Ranch Coffee.

However, many fans believe the lawsuit was unnecessary and that Sheridan was being overly protective of his brand.

Did the Feud Affect Yellowstone Filming?

Given how tense the situation was, many fans wondered whether the lawsuit impacted filming for Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2.

Fortunately, despite their legal battle, Hauser and Sheridan remained professional on set. Rip Wheeler was not written out of the show, and Hauser continued to play a major role in Yellowstone’s final episodes.

Still, with Yellowstone already facing delays due to Kevin Costner’s departure, the writers’ strike, and production issues, this lawsuit was just another headache for the show’s creator.

Why Didn’t Sheridan Sue Kevin Costner?

Interestingly, Kevin Costner also has his own coffee brand, Horizon Blend, which follows the same Western marketing theme.

Yet, Sheridan never took legal action against Costner—why?

Costner’s influence in Hollywood is unmatched, making him a more difficult target.
Sheridan and Costner were already dealing with other creative disputes, making another lawsuit unnecessary.
Costner’s departure from Yellowstone meant Sheridan didn’t see him as competition anymore.

What’s Next? The Beth & Rip Spinoff

Despite their legal battle, Hauser is returning for a Yellowstone spinoff, focusing on Beth & Rip’s future after the events of the main series.

Both Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser have officially signed on for the new show.
Sheridan will still be involved as a creative force behind the series.
Fans can expect a direct sequel to Yellowstone, continuing the Dutton family saga.

Final Thoughts – Was the Lawsuit Worth It?

Many fans believe that Sheridan overreacted by suing Hauser. After all, can anyone really “own” Western culture?

The lawsuit might be settled, but it left a bad taste in the mouths of Yellowstone fans. Did Sheridan go too far, or was he protecting his brand?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe for more Yellowstone updates!