Panera just settled a $2 million class action lawsuit: Here’s how to file a claim
A popular restaurant chain is the latest company to settle claims of higher prices related to delivery orders.
Panera Bread has agreed to a $2 million settlement to resolve the suit, though it hasn’t admitted was wrongdoing, Allrecipes reported. The settlement is similar to that of a $4.4 million one reached by Chick-fil-A after a class action lawsuit filed in Georgia alleged the restaurant chain advertised free or low-cost delivery but then recouped the money by raising its food prices for delivery orders. Some of the increases were as much as 30%, the Chick-fil-A suit alleged.
For Panera, the suits claim the company misled consumers about how much they would pay for delivery orders, specifically when it came to delivery fees and menu prices. Panera hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing.
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To be eligible for the Panera settlement, you must have placed an order for delivery – not in-store pickup – in the Panera app or on its website from Oct. 1, 2020 to Aug. 31, 2021. You will be required to enter the phone number used to make the order for verification purposes, Allrecipes reported.
Settlements will come in two forms, based on a person’s choosing: two free vouchers of $9.50 each for free items from the “Soup & Mac” menu or $12 via PayPal, Venmo or other form of electronic payment. The amounts could go down, however, based on how many people participate in the settlement, the claims website warns.
All of the awards will go out within 60 days after the court certifies the settlement. A hearing is set for May 31st.
The deadline to file the claim is June 10.