New Yorker Frank Siragusa was drawn in by Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza images posted online in September. But because of the $5.49 fast food treat he ultimately received, he has now decided to file a class-action lawsuit against the taco restaurant.
Siragusa filed a lawsuit against the restaurant on Monday, stating that the Mexican pizza he bought only included half the amount of beans and beef that had been advertised both online and in-store.
At least double the amount
Other well-known Taco Bell menu items, including the Crunchwrap Supreme, Grande Crunchwrap, and Veggie Mexican Pizza, are also said to have inflated the amount of filling in their marketing by “at least double the amount,” according to the lawsuit.
Along with images of the purportedly received products by clients, Siragusa also included images of the marketed products in the case. The lawsuit asserts that these actions are “unfair and deceptive” and are particularly alarming in light of the rising cost of food.
In the lawsuit, Siragusa’s attorneys claimed that “meat prices are very high and many consumers, especially lower-income consumers, are struggling financially.” For Siragusa’s attorneys, James Kelly and Anthony Russo, these allegations against Taco Bell are not unique. The two have previously brought claims of misleading advertising against fast food chains in court, most recently Burger King for exaggerating the size of its Whoppers. After mediation, the case came to a deadlock.
Taco Bell sued for false advertising, allegedly skimping on fillings in Mexican Pizzas, wraps
Concerns over inflation
Customers who bought Taco Bell menu items harmed by deceptive advertising are owed $5 million, according to Siragusa. The case was filed right after Taco Bell and Taco John’s concluded their legal dispute over the “Taco Tuesday” trademark, in which the taco company was successful in requesting that the term be made widely available.
A New Yorker filed a class action complaint against Taco Bell on Monday in the Eastern District Court of New York, alleging that the restaurant misleads customers by serving items like Crunchwraps that only have half the filling that is depicted in its commercials. According to Business Insider, the triggering incident occurred in September 2022 at a Taco Bell in Ridgewood, Queens, where the defendant, Frank Siragusa, alleged that he overpaid for a Mexican pizza that did not match the pictures. The publication claims that the lawsuit seeks $5 million for affected New Yorkers who were similarly deceived.
“Taco Bell’s actions are especially concerning now that inflation, food, and meat prices are very high, and many consumers, especially lower-income consumers, are struggling financially,” the lawyer for Siragusa said.
