Subway Faces Lawsuit Over Deceptive Meat Claims in Advertisements.
Subway is facing a proposed class action lawsuit alleging the chain has been "grossly misleading" customers with advertisements for its sandwiches—specifically, the Steak & Cheese—that claim to be overflowing with meat. Filed in federal court in Brooklyn, the lawsuit takes issue with Subway’s marketing, suggesting that the actual amount of meat served is significantly less than what customers are led to believe.
The complaint centers around promotional images that depict the Steak & Cheese sandwich bulging with meat, seemingly reaching the height of the bread. However, the lawsuit presents several photographs that argue the reality is quite different, showing sandwiches with a stark imbalance of bread and meat.
This discrepancy is particularly troubling in light of the current economic climate, where rising food prices have put considerable strain on lower-income consumers.
Anna Tollison, a Queens resident, is among those who felt misled after purchasing a Steak & Cheese sandwich for $7.61, only to discover that the actual meat content was far below the advertised promise of at least 200% more meat. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for New Yorkers who have bought the sandwiches in the last three years, asserting violations of the state’s consumer protection laws.
The legal action comes on the heels of Subway's acquisition by Atlanta-based private equity firm Roark Capital earlier this year, adding another layer of scrutiny to the chain's business practices. While Subway has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit, the case has already drawn attention to the ongoing debate over truth in advertising within the fast-food sector.
Anna Tollison’s attorney, Anthony Russo, emphasized the broader implications of the case, describing it as “an egregious example of the type of advertising we’re trying to stop.” This isn’t the first time Subway has faced legal challenges over its advertising claims; the company spent over four years defending itself against a lawsuit regarding its "footlong" sandwiches, which were alleged to be shorter than advertised. That case was ultimately dismissed in 2017.
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