What to Know About Applebee’s Junk Fee Lawsuit

Discover what sparked the applebee’s class action lawsuit junk fee claims and how hidden charges may impact online food orders.

When I first read about Applebee’s class action lawsuit junk fee, I’ll be honest … I almost brushed it off as just another headline about hidden charges.

But then, as part of staying on top of Legal Updates, I thought about the countless times I’ve ordered dinner online and, somehow, my total always seemed a few dollars higher than what I expected.

Sound familiar? You start with a $25 meal, throw in a drink, and by checkout it’s $35 with mysterious “service fees” sprinkled in.

That’s exactly the kind of experience at the heart of this lawsuit.

The Beginning: How a Simple Dinner Order Sparked a Legal Storm

The story started with a lawsuit titled Drake v. Applebee’s Restaurants, LLC, filed in a California federal court. It alleges that Applebee’s and its parent company, Dine Brands Global, Inc., quietly tacked on “junk fees” to online orders … extra charges that weren’t clearly disclosed before checkout.

At first glance, the amounts might seem trivial … 11% here, a “CA delivery surcharge” there. But as anyone who’s watched their order total climb while scratching their head knows, these things add up fast. The complaint argues that these fees were carefully concealed: small print, vague labels, or hidden icons that didn’t clearly explain what customers were paying for.

Now, if you’ve ever been halfway through an online order and hesitated at that unexplained “service fee,” you can relate. I’ve been there … hovering over the “place order” button, wondering whether that mysterious extra charge was a tip, a tax, or just… something. Turns out, that “something” might be what lawyers are now calling a junk fee.

What Exactly Is a “Junk Fee,” Anyway?

Before we dive deeper into the applebee’s class action lawsuit junk fee, it’s worth unpacking that term. “Junk fees” are extra charges that aren’t clearly explained or are added late in a transaction. Think of them as those sneaky add-ons that inflate your total but don’t seem to correspond to any real service or tax.

In the Applebee’s case, the lawsuit highlights a few specific examples:

Service Fees of around 11% added to online orders.
A “CA Delivery Charge” that plaintiffs say wasn’t legally required.
Fees that were bundled under vague terms like “Custom Fee” on receipts, making them hard to identify later.

The problem isn’t necessarily that Applebee’s charges fees … it’s how they disclose them. According to the lawsuit, customers didn’t get clear information about what these charges were for until after placing their orders. And by that point, it’s too late to back out without losing time (or dinner).

The Legal Backbone: Consumer Protection in Action

What makes the applebee’s class action lawsuit junk fee so significant is that it leans on powerful consumer protection laws … particularly California’s Unfair Competition Law and Consumers Legal Remedies Act. These laws exist to stop businesses from misleading customers or hiding the true cost of products and services.

In simple terms, the plaintiffs argue Applebee’s violated consumers’ right to transparency. If you thought you were paying for food and delivery but were quietly charged an additional service fee, that’s not just frustrating … it might be unlawful.

To put it in perspective, imagine buying a concert ticket for $100, only to see $130 on your card statement because of a mysterious “venue maintenance charge.” You didn’t agree to that specifically, and you weren’t given a clear explanation. That’s the same frustration … and potential legal violation … alleged here.

My “Aha” Moment: When Hidden Fees Hit Home

I remember one Friday night not long ago … the kind of night when you just want comfort food, a movie, and no dishes to wash and I ordered takeout online, and my total jumped from $28 to $36 by checkout. I didn’t think much of it, but reading about this case made me revisit that receipt. There it was … a $3.25 “Service Fee” and an extra “Delivery Charge.”

Was it illegal? Probably not. But was it clear what I was paying for? Absolutely not. That’s the point this lawsuit makes: consumers deserve to know exactly what they’re paying for before they commit. And as this case shows, even small hidden costs can erode trust in big brands.

How the Lawsuit Could Affect Applebee’s … and You

Right now, Applebee’s class action lawsuit junk fee is still in its early stages. It’s a proposed class action, meaning the court still has to approve it before it represents all affected customers. The plaintiffs want to cover any U.S. consumer who placed an online or app order and was charged these hidden fees.

If it succeeds, Applebee’s could face significant financial consequences … from refunds and damages to changes in how it lists fees. Even more importantly, it could set a precedent for how other restaurants, delivery apps, and chains disclose charges online.

Remember when hotels started being called out for “resort fees”? This could be the restaurant industry’s equivalent … a push for price transparency so you know your real total upfront, not at the last click.

The Bigger Picture: Why “Junk Fees” Are a National Conversation

Applebee’s class action lawsuit junk fee doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s part of a growing nationwide crackdown on junk fees across industries … from airlines and streaming services to rental platforms and restaurants. Even the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has made it clear: it’s time to end hidden fees that mislead consumers.

In fact, the FTC proposed a rule in 2024 that would require businesses to display the total price upfront, banning deceptive add-on charges. The Applebee’s case plays right into that narrative … a reminder that even familiar, family-style chains aren’t exempt from scrutiny.

So while it may seem like just a few extra dollars, these small charges ripple outward. They influence consumer trust, brand reputation, and even future regulation. Companies that stay transparent win in the long run … and customers like you and me can make more informed choices.

Who’s Affected and What You Can Do

If you’ve ordered through Applebee’s website or app recently and noticed an unexplained fee, you might be part of the group this lawsuit covers. The applebee’s class action lawsuit junk fee aims to represent customers nationwide who paid undisclosed or misleading charges.

Here’s what you can do right now:

Check your past receipts or email confirmations. Look for “Service Fee,” “CA Delivery Charge,” or anything vague like “Custom Fee.”
Save those records. If the lawsuit moves forward, proof of payment can matter.
Be cautious with online checkouts. Whenever you order, expand every fee section … transparency starts with awareness.

Even if you’re not directly affected, this lawsuit is a valuable reminder: always review your total before you click “order.” Because those extra few dollars here and there? They’re not just “small fees” … they’re part of a much bigger conversation about fairness in pricing.

Looking Ahead: Lessons from the Applebee’s Case

As this case unfolds, it’s more than just a courtroom drama; it’s a snapshot of a shifting consumer landscape. People are no longer accepting fine print as an excuse. Transparency isn’t optional anymore … it’s expected.

From my perspective, Applebee’s class action lawsuit junk fee is about more than Applebee’s. It’s about how modern companies respect the digital customer’s trust. When businesses hide costs behind cute labels or vague icons, they risk alienating the very people they depend on.

If Applebee’s settles or loses, it could set a ripple effect through the restaurant and delivery industry. We might finally see clear, upfront pricing where every dollar is accounted for … the way it should be. And maybe, just maybe, your next dinner order total will match what you expected.

Key Takings

At its core, this lawsuit is about honesty in pricing. Whether you’re grabbing a burger, booking a flight, or streaming a show, you deserve clarity before you pay.
Applebee’s class action lawsuit junk fee shines a spotlight on a widespread issue … one that touches nearly every consumer in some way.
And as someone who’s experienced that same checkout surprise more times than I can count, I’ll admit: this case hit close to home.
It reminded me that vigilance matters … not just in what we eat, but in what we pay.
So next time you’re ordering dinner and see that total climb unexpectedly, pause and ask: What’s this fee for? Because if enough of us ask that question, maybe companies will finally start answering it … clearly, honestly, and upfront.