When some consumers feel mislead by a product ’s labeling or marketing , they generally allow themselves to feel aggrieved and then move on . For others , feel duped can conduct to the pursuit of Department of Justice . For three company who convey dissatisfaction over A&W root beer , it meant charge a class - action lawsuit . And now , their efforts are paying off to the tune of $ 15 million .
According toFood & Wine , a 2020 suit lend against A&W parent corporation Keurig Dr Pepper ( you may credibly guess what other intersection they ’re responsible for ) accused the defendants of improperly judge A&W etymon beer as being made with “ cured vanilla . ” Instead , the soft drink was made with contrived vanilla extract flavorer , ethyl vanillin .
This was a consignment of carbonated flatulency according to the plaintiff , who insisted they would not have purchased A&W root beer if they had known the truth .
While some people might consider this frivolous , a New York evaluator did not . A settlement has been reach in which Keurig Dr Pepper will recoup customers who purchased A&W etymon beer with the “ ripened vanilla ” labeling between February 2016 and June 2023 out of a pool of $ 15 million . If they do n’t have a reception , consumers will be eligible for $ 5.50 . If they can contribute receipts , they ’ll get up to $ 25 . The colony is awaiting last favorable reception in September . At that point , consumers can visit aclaims websiteto get their refund .
Keurig Dr Pepper did n’t admit to any wrongdoing , instead framing the colony as the most efficient way of come together the affair .
A&W root beer first popped up in Lodi , California , in 1919 . The steel was the workplace of partners Roy Allen and Frank Wright — the A&W of the name — whobeganto franchise the brand . In addition to root beer , A&W is also roll in the hay for a eating house chain . In the sixties , theyintroduceda mascot : Rooty the Great Root Bear . Rooty was not named in the lawsuit .
