CALIFORNIA – A Santa Monica law firm is alleging McDonald’s uses deceptive advertising practices in its menu boards and drive-through screens.
California has the highest number of McDonald’s locations in the U.S. – 1,224, with Texas and Florida following behind.
A legal outcome against McDonald’s could set a precedent, prompting stricter scrutiny and potential changes in advertising practices across the fast-food industry.
Orange juice is pictured in combo
The class action lawsuit claims that McDonald’s menu boards display breakfast combos with pictures of orange juice at a fixed price. However, McDonald’s fails to adequately disclose that the orange juice option is only available for an additional fee.
Customers reportedly only discover the extra fees after paying and receiving their receipts.
Plaintiff Amber Meyers, alleges she had been ordering her usual breakfast combo, a Two Sausage Egg McMuffin meal with orange juice, for about a year, and was unaware she was being charged extra for the drink.
“If I knew there was a surcharge for the orange juice, I wouldn’t have ordered it every time,” Meyers states in the complaint.
Photo credit: CWN, IncNationwide policy
The class action lawsuit alleges that the pricing practice is a nationwide policy at McDonald’s.
“The company’s menu boards and drive-through screens do not adequately inform customers that orange juice is an additional cost. Instead, the surcharge is only identified as a line-item on receipts after the purchase is complete,” says the complaint.
Photo credit: CWN, IncThe class action further claims McDonald’s employees are not adequately trained to disclose the orange juice surcharge.
Hold McDonald’s accountable
The lawsuit seeks to hold McDonald’s accountable for its pricing practices and advertising. They demand compensation for affected customers and changes to how the company presents its breakfast menu.
The McDonald’s orange juice class action lawsuit is Meyers, et al. v. McDonald’s Corp., et al., Case No. 5:23-cv-00883, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
For more information on the McDonald’s orange juice surcharge class action lawsuit visit https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/investigations/mcdonalds-orange-juice-surcharge-class-action-lawsuit/
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