Seventh Circuit Rejects Subway Footlong Class Settlement As A "Racket"

A recent Seventh Circuit decision pushed back on a proposed settlement of the Subway "footlong sub" class action, finding the proposed settlement a "racket" designed to benefit class counsel without any benefit to the class. The story begins in 2013 when a Facebook post showing a Subway footlong sandwich measuring just 11 inches went viral. Shortly thereafter, the plaintiffs' attorneys filed nine class actions seeking damages and injunctive relief against Subway.

While the plaintiffs may have thought their class claims had merit, initial discovery demonstrated their case did not measure up. Subway showed that it used standard, equally weighted dough sticks for its footlong sandwiches, thus ensuring that each customer received the same quantity of food. Moreover, discovery confirmed that the "overwhelming majority" of sandwiches were indeed 12 inches long. Certification – and injury – under Rule 23(b)(3) therefore proved impossible: Only mini-trials could determine