Buffalo Wild Wings, the popular chicken wing restaurant, finds itself in hot water once again, leaving customers fuming over their recent billing tactics. Just a few months after facing a class-action lawsuit for questionable practices, the chain is back in the headlines for attempting to dig deeper into the pockets of its loyal patrons. Takeout bills at select Buffalo Wild Wings locations have left diners astounded as the restaurant attempts to surreptitiously pad their orders with hidden fees.
As of June 21, 2023, some Buffalo Wild Wings outlets decided to test the waters by adding an extra ninety-nine cents to their takeout bills, all in the name of experimentation. However, as public awareness grew surrounding this dubious maneuver, the chicken wing chain has swiftly backtracked on this initiative.
A spokesperson for Buffalo Wild Wings has acknowledged the situation, stating, “Several Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants have explored the introduction of a takeout fee, which was transparently communicated to guests before they placed their orders. Nevertheless, we have decided to discontinue this test and will remove the fee by the end of this summer,” as reported by TODAY.com.
This isn’t the first time Buffalo Wild Wings has found itself in hot water. A class-action lawsuit filed in the circuit court of Montgomery County, Maryland, on July 13, 2022, accused the restaurant of misleading and deceptive practices by imposing a concealed takeout fee. The lawsuit, spearheaded by plaintiff Divane Pittman, not only represents her interests but also those of countless Buffalo Wild Wings customers who fell victim to these alleged missteps.
Pittman, who resides in Lanham, Maryland, was once a loyal patron of Buffalo Wild Wings until she uncovered the restaurant’s clandestine fee when ordering takeout. The lawsuit contends that Buffalo Wild Wings employed “false and deceptive” practices by inflating food prices through this undisclosed fee, rather than reflecting the actual cost to consumers transparently.
The lawsuit further asserts that no other restaurant in the same category resorts to such deceitful practices. Nevertheless, Buffalo Wild Wings implemented the takeout fee as a double-edged ruse to siphon funds from unsuspecting customers.
The legal action seeks class status, aiming to secure restitution for all customers who were unfairly charged the additional fee. It also demands reimbursement for any supplementary charges related to this deceptive tactic, encompassing taxes and associated fees. Additionally, the lawsuit insists that Buffalo Wild Wings cease using the takeout fee to mislead its clientele.
Pittman has enlisted the support of consumer protection lawyers from Golomb & Honik, P.C., a nationally recognized law firm headquartered in Philadelphia. These attorneys specialize in complex litigation, particularly involving class-action cases related to consumer fraud and deceptive advertising. They assert that the defendant’s deceitful pricing practices may have impacted millions of customers who were unwittingly subjected to this fraudulent scheme.
The Buffalo Wild Wings saga continues to unfold, leaving a trail of disgruntled patrons and legal battles in its wake. As the restaurant chain navigates these turbulent waters, questions about transparency, fairness, and consumer trust loom large.
