How Starbucks Is Fighting Back Against Shorted Latte Drinkers
A couple of months ago, we wrote about some pissed off latte lovers who sued Starbucks, claiming that the company was underfilling lattes.
Now, in order to get themselves out of hot water, Starbucks Corporation has filed, “a motion to transfer,” with the U.S. Judicial Panel Of Multidistrict Litigation, to have the cases heard in the company’s home state of Washington.
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In total, there are three different cases, with an additional case pending, involving customers accusing Starbucks of, “deceptive marketing practices, by misrepresenting the quality of made-to-order beverages in its cafes.”
Additionally, the plaintiffs allege that Starbucks knowingly, “follows standardized recipes that result in the uniform under fillings of beverages,” according to a memo submitted by Starbucks Corporation filed with the U.S. Judicial Panel On Multidistrict Litigation May 26.
Due to circumstances involving multiple states, California, Illinois and New York, and the similarity of accusations, Starbucks Corporation is requesting the cases be transferred to a Seattle, Wash. court — where the corporation is headquartered — which will help “… eliminate duplicative discovery,” and, “prevent inconsistent rulings,” according to the memo.
The overlaying consistency within each case, remains that customers accuse the coffee giant of using inadequate cup sizes that do not allow for the amount of coffee or other beverage as advertised.
The cases in question
Siera Strumlauf and Benjamin Robles v. Starbucks
The two plantiffs Strumlauf and Robles, from Northern California, filed a lawsuit on March 16, 2016. They claim that the Starbucks sizes, 12 fl. oz. “Tall”, 16 fl.oz. “Grande” and 20 fl. oz. “Venti” falsely advertise how much liquid can be contained in the cup, and also allege that baristas have, “no discretion in determining how much of a given ingredient is used in a latte,” according to the memo. Starbucks has requested to dismiss the case, but a hearing is scheduled for June 1.
Stacy Pincus v. Starbucks
Pincus, a resident of Illinois, filed legal action on April 27, 2016, over the claim that, “ALL COLD DRINKS ARE UNDER FILLED.”
The Pincus memo alleges all, “iced coffee, iced tea and blended specialty drinks,” as well as its, “shaken iced teas and shaken iced lemonades, Refreshers™ and Fizzio™ handcrafted sodas” are underfilled,” — and have been since 2006, according to documents.
Currently, Pincus case will be heard on June 21, 2016.
Brittany Crittenden v. Starbucks
Crittenden, a resident of New York, filed legal action against Starbucks on May 10, 2016, claiming that the company falsely advertises the exact amount of liquid each latte, mocha and espresso drinks contain. Crittenden is suing for an array of reasons, including, “negligent misrepresentation,” according to court documents.
Now, as Starbucks prepares to defend itself against these steaming hot allegations, one thing is for sure, lawyers need to wake up and smell the coffee.
