Panera lawsuit: When is deadline to file a claim?
Panera customers may be eligible for a portion of a $2 million payout fund after the company agreed to settle three different lawsuits.
The lawsuits allege the menu prices and fees listed on Panera’s menu for delivery were misleading, reports Nextstar. The lawsuits claim Panera advertised free or flat-rate delivery, but charged more for menu items. One lawsuit, obtained by USA Today, alleges menu items were marked up 5% to 7% when they were ordered for delivery.
Panera denies the claims, but has agreed to put the matter to rest by settling the lawsuits, according to Nextstar.
Who qualifies for the settlement?
If you placed a delivery order from either the Panera website or the app between Oct. 1, 2020, and Aug. 31, you can qualify for the settlement. People filing a claim will have two options: cash or vouchers. If you elect to receive a portion of the $2 million cash fund, you’ll get up to $12, the settlement administrator said.
If you elect to get the vouchers, you’ll receive up to two coupons for free items from Panera’s “Soups & Mac” menu. Each item’s value will be capped at $9.50.
If you want a piece of the payout, you’ll need to file a claim by June 10. You can do so online or by mail. People who don’t file a claim won’t receive anything. See more about whether you qualify and how you’ll get paid on the settlement’s official page.
Nextstar reports the settlement’s next court hearing is scheduled for May 31, 2024, in St. Louis, Mo. If the settlement is granted final approval, payments and vouchers should go out in about 60 days. However, appeals can delay the payment process.