Class Action Lawsuit Against Starbucks Claims False Advertising

If you own a business in the restaurant industry, this federal lawsuit against Starbucks may have caught your attention.

A local Chicago woman filed a lawsuit that accuses Starbucks of misleading customers with the amount of coffee or other liquid it provides in cold drinks in plastic cups. The allegation is that Starbuck’s advertising says the iced beverage contains 14 ounces of liquid but the reality is that the customer gets half that much liquid and the rest is ice. The lawsuit alleges that the practice is “by design and corporate practice and procedure.”

If the lawsuit receives class-action status, it would apply to customers for the last decade. The lawsuit seeks damages, restitution and attorneys’ fees.

However, Starbucks refutes the allegation based on the argument that:

  • Customers expect ice to be part of an iced beverage.
  • Starbucks will remake a beverage upon request if a customer isn’t satisfied.

CNN Money reports that the lawsuit, filed by Stacy Pincus, is to the tune of more than $5 million. It also states the example given is a Venti cold drink, which is advertised as a 24 ounce drink but actually contains only 14 ounces of liquid.

In 1992, a lawsuit brought against McDonald’s alleged that the coffee was too hot and the customer got burned as a result. McDonald’s argued that customers expect coffee to be hot. The plaintiff won that lawsuit.

Even if a lawsuit appears to be somewhat frivolous, it pays to consult with an experienced employment defense lawyer. Our attorneys at Stephen Hans & Associates can provide you with sound legal guidance and effective representation.