Chicago, IL: The court has preliminarily approved a settlement of a consumer fraud
class action lawsuit brought against KFC Corporation over contract violations stemming from a free meal coupon issued in May 2009.
On May 5, 2009, Oprah Winfrey announced on her television show that the KFC Corporation had agreed to give away a free two-piece Kentucky Grilled Chicken meal. Between May 5 and May 6, 2009, KFC made available downloadable coupons entitling the holder to a KGC Free Meal between May 5 and May 19, 2009, excluding Mother' Day. The lawsuit claims, among other things, that KFC and YUM! Brands, Inc. violated contract law and various state consumer protection statues by not allowing coupon redemptions for the KGC Free Meal.
The suit also alleged that KFC failed to properly disclose that the topical seasoning for Kentucky Grilled Chicken contained beef products.
The class covered by the settlement are all persons who downloaded an Original or PDF coupon between May 5 at 9:00 a.m. central time and May 6, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. central time from Oprah.com or unthinkfc.com, or who received a Raincheck Coupon or a "Chicken Check"and did not receive the KGC Free Meal or other compensation from KFC, or a free meal or other consideration at a restaurant unaffiliated with the Defendants that agreed to accept the KGC Coupons.
If you have the original coupon (with a unique bar code ending in a number other than "1234") and you complete and sign a claim form, your settlement amount is $3.99 for each original coupon submitted, up to a total of $15.96 per household.
If you have a PDF coupon (with a generic bar code ending in "1234") and you complete and sign a claim form, you're entitled to $2.00 for each PDF coupon submitted, up to a total of $8.00 per household.
If you no longer have either an original coupon or a PDF coupon but you complete and sign a claim form, you'll be entitled to receive $1.00 for each original coupon or PDF coupon you downloaded, up to a total of $4.00 per household.
Anyone who wishes to be part of the settlement must complete a claim form with the appropriate documents of proof by January 30, 2012.
