(NEXSTAR) – 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. The suits claim Panera advertised free or flat-rate delivery, but then charged customers more in other, sneakier ways. For example, 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.
To figure out if you qualify, you’ll have to think back a couple years. If you placed a delivery order from Panera, either via the website or the app, between Oct. 1, 2020, and Aug. 31, 2021, then you are part of the settlement class. Eligible recipients may have also received a notice in their email inbox.
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 says. It could be less if lots of eligible people file claims.
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, 2024. 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.
The settlement’s next court hearing is scheduled for May 31, 2024, in St. Louis, Missouri. Assuming the settlement is granted final approval, payments and vouchers should go out in about 60 days. However, appeals can delay the payment process.