Dunkinโ class action overview:ย
- Who: Two Dunkinโ consumers have filed a class action lawsuit against the coffee and doughnut company.ย
- Why: The plaintiffs say Dunkinโ charged them hidden fees for dining in-store.ย ย
- Where: The Dunkinโ class action was filed in a California federal court.
Two Dunkin Donuts consumers have hit the coffee and donut chain with a class action lawsuit claiming it adds hidden charges onto customer orders when they dine in-store.ย
Plaintiffs John Michael Taferner and Itzel Diaz filed the class action complaint against Dunkinโ Brands Group Inc., its owner Inspire Brands Inc. and other affiliates on July 8 in a California federal court, alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws.ย
According to the plaintiffs, they and other diners were unknowingly charged a dine-in fee or other hidden fees that were never disclosed by Dunkinโ โ either verbally or in writing โ before they paid for their orders.ย
They say these fees were only revealed on the receipt after the transaction was completed, meaning that customers like themselves were unaware of the additional charges as they went to pay, they say.
โPlaintiffs allege that the defendants, through a nationwide corporate policy enforced on its Dunkinโ franchisees, intentionally deceived consumers about a dine-in fee or other junk fee, as evidenced by the consistent experience of plaintiffs,โ the lawsuit says.
Fees for dining in for coffee, lawsuit alleges
The plaintiffs argue that if they had been properly informed about the dine-in fee or other hidden charges, they would have either chosen not to buy the items from Dunkinโ, or opted for a carry-out option to avoid the โdine-in feeโ extra cost.ย
For example, Taferner says he visited a Dunkinโ location in Santa Clarita, California, in late 2023. After ordering a medium coffee at an advertised fixed price, Taferner noticed an additional $0.50 fee on his receipt labeled as a dine-in fee, he says.ย
โAt no time did the cashier mention that there was an added fee for ordering items inside the restaurant, and Plaintiff Taferner did not see any disclosure about there being an additional fee for ordering an item inside the store,โ the lawsuit says.ย
The experience left him feeling cheated, he says, as well as โextremely disappointed and frustrated.โ He added that he wanted the practice to stop immediately.ย
Dunkinโ targeted low-income customers
The complaint also calls out the broader impact of the alleged practice on vulnerable consumers. It points to low-income individuals, and immigrants with limited English proficiency, who rely heavily on visual cues and properly trained employees for accurate information.ย
The plaintiffs allege that expecting these consumers to inquire about potential hidden fees is unreasonable, and that Dunkinโs actions are especially harmful to these demographics.
The plaintiffs also say they believe the alleged hidden fees policy was a โstrategic responseโ to anticipated revenue shortfalls during the COVID-19 pandemic, which continued even after pandemic-related restrictions were lifted.ย
They say Dunkinโ made a โcalculated decisionโ to prioritize a sleek and minimalist aesthetic in its marketing, โdeliberately sacrificingโ comprehensive consumer disclosure for visual appeal.ย
As a result, the plaintiffs are suing on behalf of all consumers in the United States who purchased any item from any Dunkinโ location and were charged hidden fees. The plaintiffs are suing for violations of California business laws, and for breach of express warranty, breach of contract, fraudulent concealment, negligent misrepresentation and unjust enrichment. They are seeking certification of the class action, damages, fees, costs and a jury trial.ย
In February, Dunkinโ was hit with a class action lawsuit by ten consumers with milk allergies and/or lactose intolerance who allege the company imposes an illegal surcharge for all non-dairy milk alternatives.
What do you think of the allegations against Dunkinโ in this class action? Let us know in the comments.ย
The plaintiffs are represented by Cameron Nazemi at CWN Inc.
The Dunkinโ undisclosed dine-in fee class action lawsuit is John Michael Taferner, et al. v. Inspire Brands Inc. et al, Case No. 2:24-cv-05711, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
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42 thoughts onDunkinโ class action claims restaurant charges undisclosed dine-in, other fees
Please add me. I go to Dunkin all the time
Add me to the Lawsuite
Add me please
Please add me to this settlement/lawsuit as I have been charged an extra fee, just because of the Dunkin being located in a certain city.
Add me too. She didnโt disclose she had a penis till afterwards.
Please add
Iโd like to be added. They have specials on the app and theyโre not honored. They also donโt scan your code at every visit for points.
Add me please
Iโve charged the same thing for dining inโฆ.
Please add me
Please add me
Please add me
Please add me
Please add me also; I have been charged for the dine-in fees at least twice maybe more times at my local stores