Buffalo Wild Wings faces class action over takeout fee

Buffalo Wild Wings, one of the most popular American casual dining restaurants, is facing backlash and a class-action lawsuit over its controversial takeout fee. The restaurant chain started charging a 10% takeout fee to diners, who placed their orders for takeout during the pandemic. Many have criticized this move as an attempt to boost profits from takeout sales during a time of crisis. In this blog post, we will explore the details of the controversy surrounding Buffalo Wild Wings and provide our perspective on the issue.

The Controversy Surrounding Buffalo Wild Wings

Buffalo Wild Wings faced criticism from customers and social media users when the company started charging a 10% takeout fee for orders placed online, over the phone, or through a third-party delivery app. Customers argued that the fee was unfair, especially since many restaurants were waiving fees during the pandemic to encourage customers to order takeout and avoid dine-in options. Furthermore, the restaurant chain faced a backlash after customers discovered that the company was advertising the fee as a tip for its staff. However, it was later revealed that the fee was not going to the restaurant's employees as an additional wage but rather to the company's profits.

Class-Action Lawsuit

Following the outcry from customers, Buffalo Wild Wings is now facing a class-action lawsuit over the takeout fee. The lawsuit alleges that Buffalo Wild Wings violated its gift card policy, which states that the company cannot charge additional fees for the use of gift cards. The lawsuit also argues that the company's advertising of the takeout fee as a tip for its staff is misleading and deceptive. In addition to the class-action lawsuit, Buffalo Wild Wings is facing scrutiny from state attorneys general, some of whom have launched investigations into the restaurant chain's takeout fee.

Buffalo Wild Wings' Response

Buffalo Wild Wings has defended its takeout fee, stating that it is necessary to cover the restaurant's additional costs associated with takeout orders, including packaging and labor. The restaurant chain has also argued that it communicated the fee to customers when they placed their orders. In response to the backlash and class-action lawsuit, Buffalo Wild Wings has now waived the takeout fee for all orders placed online, over the phone, or through third-party delivery apps. The company has also stated that it will refund the fee to customers who paid it during the pandemic.

Buffalo Wild Wings faced a significant backlash over its controversial takeout fee during the pandemic. The 10% fee for takeout orders was criticized as an attempt to boost profits during a time of crisis, especially since many other restaurants were waiving fees to encourage customers to order takeout. The class-action lawsuit and investigation by state attorneys general have further intensified scrutiny of the restaurant chain's business practices. While Buffalo Wild Wings has defended its takeout fee and argued that it was necessary to cover additional costs, the company has now waived the fee and agreed to refund customers who paid it during the pandemic.