Sweetgreen class action claims website inaccessible to blind, visually impaired consumers

Sweetgreen website class action lawsuit overview: 

• Who: Ali Colak filed a class action lawsuit against Sweetgreen Inc. 
• Why: Colak claims Sweetgreen failed to make its website fully accessible to and equally usable by individuals who are blind or visually impaired, in alleged violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. 
• Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in New York federal court. 

American fast-casual restaurant chain Sweetgreen failed to design its website so that it would be fully accessible to and equally usable by individuals who are blind or visually impaired, a new class action lawsuit alleges. 

Plaintiff Ali Colak claims Sweetgreen’s website contains access barriers to screen-reading software used by individuals who are blind or visually impaired to access the internet. 

Colak, a blind man, argues these alleged access barriers deny individuals who are blind or visually impaired with access to its services offered, in an alleged violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

“Because Defendant’s website … is not equally accessible to blind and visually impaired consumers, it violates the ADA,” the Sweetgreen class action says. 

Colak wants to represent a nationwide class and a New York City subclass of all legally blind individuals who have attempted to access Sweetgreen’s website and were subsequently denied equal access to the enjoyment of services offered. 

Sweetgreen’s website contains access barriers to screen-reading software, says class action

Access barriers to screen-reading software found on Sweetgreen’s website includes missing alt-text, hidden elements on web pages, incorrectly formatted lists and unannounced pop ups, among other things, the Sweetgreen class action alleges. 

“Plaintiff has been, and in absence of an injunction will continue to be injured by Defendant’s failure to provide its online content and services in a manner that is compatible with screen reader technology,” the Sweetgreen class action says. 

In addition to allegedly violating the ADA, Colak claims Sweetgreen is violating the New York City Human Rights Law. She is demanding a jury trial and requesting declaratory and injunctive relief along with an award of compensatory, statutory and punitive damages for herself and all class members. 

A separate complaint was filed against Sweetgreen and a pair of its supervisors last year by a group of 10 of the company’s employees over claims the company and its leadership created a hostile work environment and discriminated against the workers on the basis of race and sex. 

Have you been denied equal access to the services offered on Sweetgreen’s website? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiffs are represented by PeterPaul Shaker of Stein Saks, PLLC. 

The Sweetgreen website class action lawsuit is Colak v. Sweetgreen Inc., Case No. 2:24-cv-00198, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

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