Dunkin’ Donuts Defeats Alternative Milks Surcharge ADA Lawsuit

Consumers alleging Dunkin’ Donuts LLC unlawfully charges lactose intolerant customers more for nondairy milks failed to show that a California court had jurisdiction over the company, a federal judge said.

Dunkin’ argued that it doesn’t actually operate in California because all the stores are franchisees and the consumers didn’t “make any showing beyond a few sparse allegations” that the US District Court for the Northern District of California had personal jurisdiction over the company, Judge Susan Illston said.

Illston noted that even if the court had jurisdiction, the consumers failed to allege they are considered disabled by the Americans with ...