TAMPA - The Chipotle Mexican Grill chain faces a class action lawsuit in Tampa federal court for alleged deceptive delivery fee practices.
According to documents filed on March 18, the class is represented by plaintiff Kenneth Hopkins Jr., who says that Chipotle's free or $1 delivery marketing is deceitful, because the company charges a myriad of other "hidden, mislabeled, and/or undisclosed" delivery charges, included a 12-15% markup on food prices.
The suit alleges that Chipotle also wrongfully charges a "service fee" on delivery orders and not on in-house or takeout orders. Since the charge is only placed on delivery orders, it is therefore a delivery fee and the free/$1 delivery marketing is deceptive and misleading, the suit claims.
Chipotle is charged with violation of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and fraud in the inducement. Hopkins is requesting that the deceptive delivery practices be ceased and the class members be compensated as deemed appropriate.
The class is represented by Campbell Law of Lakeland and Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP of Minneapolis.