Did you order food from Panda Express? You could get money for a lawsuit against it
Panda Express, the U.S. Chinese food restaurant chain, reached a $1.4 million settlement to pay (in two ways) affected customers for an additional “service fee”
Have you been a Panda Express customer since 2020? Do you usually order your food delivered? Well, these are just the basic criteria that could get you some money back, after it came to light that this restaurant chain has been sued for misleading delivery fees.
A complaint, filed in July 2021, accused the popular Chinese-American restaurant of advertising a “low price” delivery fee (usually $2.95) on its website and mobile app. Instead, it charged customers an additional 10% “service fee” on deliveries.
After a couple of years, Panda Express reached a $1.4 million settlement to resolve class action allegations that the company made “misleading” promises about delivery and service fees, according to the settlement administrator’s website. Despite reaching this resolution, the restaurant chain denied any wrongdoing in the case.
Customers eligible to file a claim are those who placed a delivery order on the Panda Express website or mobile app between July 17, 2020, and Feb. 16, 2022, and were charged a service fee, according to the settlement administrator’s website.
Affected customers can choose between a cash payment or free food
Those who choose the cash option can expect to receive about $10. The amount may be more or less, depending on how many valid claims are submitted.
Customers who opt for a free meal can receive up to two vouchers valid for an average meal ordered through the Panda Express website or app, according to the deal administrator. However, there are some restrictions.
Vouchers must be redeemed within one year of receipt. No additional purchase is necessary and vouchers are limited to one per transaction per day.
The details of the agreement will be finalized at a hearing scheduled for November 8, 2023.
Payments and vouchers will be disbursed if the settlement is approved after the Nov. 8 hearing, and only after appeals are resolved, settlement administrators said. The process can take up to a year
To make a claim, customers must complete and submit an online form. You will need to have your unique identification number, included in an emailed notice, on hand to complete the form.
Within the claim, those affected must choose whether they want to receive a cash payment or meal vouchers, as mentioned on the settlement administrator’s website.
The deadline to file a claim is January 10, 2024.