$15 Million A&W Settlement: You Could Be Eligible for Up to $25 From the Soda Maker - CNET
If you bought A&W root beer or cream soda in the last seven years, you could be entitled to part of a $15 million settlement that A&W Concentrate Co. and parent company Keurig Dr. Pepper Inc. are paying to resolve claims that they made false marketing statements about the type of vanilla used in those drinks.
In a 2019 lawsuit, plaintiffs alleged that since A&W root beer and cream soda are made with an artificial vanilla called ethyl vanillin, advertising the drinks as made with aged vanilla was misleading to “reasonable customers.”
A&W Concentrate Co. and Keurig Dr. Pepper Inc. haven’t been legally reprimanded for any claim and maintain that the advertising on the root beer and cream soda products is “truthful, accurate” and compliant with Food and Drug Administration requirements. The suit was settled to avoid any further expense, the companies said. Keurig Dr. Pepper Inc. didn’t immediately respond to CNET’s request for additional comment regarding the settlement.
If you think you might be eligible to submit a claim, read on to find out how much you could get from the settlement and the deadline to submit your claim.
For more food and drink fare, here are the best soda makers of 2023 and the best online grocery delivery services of 2023.
Who is eligible to submit a claim?
If you purchased one of the following products in the United States between Feb. 7, 2016, and June 2, 2023, you’re eligible to submit a claim.
- A&W root beer – regular.
- A&W root beer – diet.
- A&W root beer – Zero Sugar.
- A&W root beer – Ten.
- A&W cream soda – regular.
- A&W cream soda – diet.
- A&W cream soda – Zero Sugar.
Note that to be eligible the products must have been purchased for personal use, not for resale, and must have “made with aged vanilla” printed on them.
How much can I get from A&W?
There are three different tiers you could be in when you submit a claim. They’re based on whether you have proof of purchase.
Tier one is for claims without proof of purchase. If you have no proof of purchase for your claim, you’ll get $5.50 per household.
Tier two is mixed, for claims that do and don’t have proof of purchase. If you fall into this mixed tier, you’ll be guaranteed a minimum of $5.50, and you’ll get an additional 50 cents per unit that has a valid proof of purchase. You can claim up to 39 units with a proof of purchase for a payment of up to $25 (including the minimum $5.50).
Tier three is for claims supported by proof of purchase. You’re guaranteed a minimum of $5.50, and for every unit you submit over 11 units, you’ll receive 50 cents. You can submit up to 50 units with proof of purchase, for up to $25 (including the minimum $5.50).
How can I file a claim? When should I file by?
You can submit a claim form online at the settlement website or you can print out a form, complete it and mail it to:
Sharpe v. A&W Concentrate Co.
Kroll Settlement Administration LLC
P.O. Box 225391
New York, NY 10150-5391
Your claim must be submitted or postmarked by 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 18, 2023.
When will I get my money?
A final approval hearing is scheduled for Oct. 19, 2023. Any payments would go out after that date, but the process could be delayed by appeals.