A lawsuit filed in Illinois last week alleges that Peet’s Coffee & Tea knowingly overcharges customers who order French press coffee.
The lawsuit was filed in Cook County Circuit Court on behalf of Illinois customer Robert Garrett, and potentially other French press drinkers. Garrett alleges that Peet’s in-store signage advertises its French press coffee as containing 12- and 32-ounces of coffee, but the actual result is at least 25 percent less than advertised.
“While the signage represents that the liquid volume served is 12 and 32 ounces, what the signage actually refers to is the size of the brewing equipment, the narrow glass cylindrical beaker where the coarse ground coffee is placed,” Dan Voelker, the Chicago attorney representing Garrett, said in a statement. “Customers are actually served at least 25 percent less liquid volume than they believed they received.”
Peet’s officials said in a statement that they are taking the matter seriously and are looking into it more in-depth, but could not comment further on active litigation.
“We are committed to full transparency and integrity with our customers and to industry best standards for our product labeling and in-store signage,” the statement said.
Press pot offerings account for 0.1 percent of café sales, the company noted. “There is no complaint regarding 99.9 percent of our business.”
Voelker said the suit was similar to complaints filed against Subway two years ago in which customers charged that Footlong sandwiches were only 11 inches long. Subway said it would work to ensure sandwiches are the correct length and agreed to pay attorneys’ fees and awards to plaintiffs in a settlement deal awaiting final approval.
Proposed as a class action, the Peet’s lawsuit seeks damages on behalf of potentially thousands of customers.
The Emeryville, Calif.-based Peet’s chain includes about 240 company-owned locations. It is owned by JAB Holding Co., based in Luxembourg.
Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected].
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