Dunkin’ Donuts Serving Up Beef Patties Instead of Steak, Lawsuit Claims

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Dunkin’ Donuts faces a class action lawsuit over allegations that its “Angus Steak and Egg Sandwich” does not contain steak at all, but rather a beef patty made up of “fillers and binders.”

Plaintiff Chufen Chen says she paid a premium for what she believed to be a superior product – Angus steak. The plaintiff claims it’s reasonable for consumers to expect that a product labeled as containing Angus steak would consist of “steak” made from Angus cattle.

However, the Dunkin’ Donuts class action claims that the steak is really “a beef ‘patty,’ not even a beef ‘burger.’” Chen alleges Dunkin’ Donuts engaged in a false advertising scheme by publicizing “misleading information via television commercials, Internet, point of purchase advertisements and national print advertisements, all of which are intended to trick unsuspecting consumers.”

The lawsuit states that Dunkin’ Donuts’ marketing campaign includes television advertisements which make the following claims:

• “It’s a big day for Steak fans, Duncan’s Angus Steak and Eggs breakfast sandwich is back!”
• “Steak is back, hurry up and Angus’ Steak and Egg breakfast sandwich today.”
• “Grab one today and celebrate the Steak! American runs on Duncan.”

Chen says she was repeatedly exposed to these Dunkin’ Donuts advertisements when deciding to purchase an Angus Steak and Egg Bagel at a New York location. According to the Dunkin’ Donuts lawsuit, Chen paid $3.99 for the item which was a 50 cent premium over other breakfast sandwiches offered by the restaurant chain.

By not informing customers ahead of time that its Angus steak was actually an inferior meat product, Dunkin Donuts is being accused of violating the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Acts of various states as well as the District of Columbia. Chen says there are potentially millions of Class Members across the nation who were deceived by the Angus steak marketing campaign produced by Dunkin’ Donuts.

The Dunkin’ Donuts class action lawsuit claims that Chen would not have bought an Angus steak breakfast sandwich for the price she paid if not for the deceptive advertising campaign she was exposed to. In addition, Chen says that it would be unethical for Dunkin’ Donuts to keep the money it collected under false pretenses.

“Defendant has obtained money to which it is not entitled, and interest on that money, and under these circumstances equity and good conscience require that the Defendant return the money with interest to the Plaintiff and the proposed Class,” the Dunkin’ Donuts class action lawsuit states.

Chen seeks to represent all U.S. consumers who bought an Angus Steak and Egg Sandwich or an Angus Steak and Egg Snack N’ Go Wrap (formerly known as the Angus Steak and Egg Wake-Up Wrap), within the Class period. She also wants to represent a New York subclass.

The plaintiff is represented by John Troy of Troy Law PLLC.

The Dunkin’ Donuts Angus Steak Breakfast Sandwich Class Action Lawsuit is Chufen Chen v. Dunkin’ Brands Inc. d/b/a Dunkin’ Donuts, Case No. 1:17-cv-03808, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

UPDATE: On Feb. 13, 2018, Dunkin’ Donuts consumers urged a New York federal judge to not dismiss their class action lawsuit alleging that the donut company’s Angus steak sandwiches contain ground beef and filler instead of actual steak.