1851

<a href="https://www.subway.com/en-US/OwnAFranchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-verdict-is-in-subways-infamous-tuna-lawsuit-thrown-out-by-judge-2716858" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Subway</a> dodged a bullet last week when a federal court judge dismissed claims by California consumers that it misrepresented its tuna. Two plaintiffs — Karen Dhanowa and Nilima Amin — <a href="https://1851franchise.com/subways-tuna-fish-sandwich-is-not-tuna-and-not-fish-lawsuit-claims-2714881">sued the company</a> earlier this year, seeking $5 million in damages with the claim that Subway’s tuna subs “are completely bereft of tuna as an ingredient” despite customers paying a premium for sandwiches containing tuna.<a href="https://news.bloomberglaw.com/product-liability-and-toxics-law/subway-gets-fake-tuna-lawsuit-thrown-out-by-skeptical-judge?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-verdict-is-in-subways-infamous-tuna-lawsuit-thrown-out-by-judge-2716858" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">According to Bloomberg Law</a>, Judge Jon S. Tigar of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California said via a Zoom hearing Thursday that he “struggled” to find any reliance claims in the complaint, adding that he was "suspicious" and that the complaint "definitely doesn't identify the specific representation that Subway made.” The judge also said that he would allow the plaintiffs to resubmit their complaint.&nbsp;“We commend the court for dismissing the reckless and improper lawsuit surrounding Subway’s tuna,” a Subway spokesperson said <a href="https://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20211012/NEWS06/912345160?template=printart&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-verdict-is-in-subways-infamous-tuna-lawsuit-thrown-out-by-judge-2716858" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">in a statement Monday</a>. Subway alleged the plaintiffs failed to prove they bought the sandwiches based on any supposed misrepresentations by the company.&nbsp;Notably, the court’s recent decision does not clarify what is actually in the sandwiches. This summer, a lab test <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/19/style/subway-tuna-sandwich-lawsuit.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-verdict-is-in-subways-infamous-tuna-lawsuit-thrown-out-by-judge-2716858" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">commissioned by the New York Times</a> following the lawsuit failed to find any tuna DNA in a series of Subway tuna sandwiches. Subway adamantly defended the integrity of its tuna product, touting its “100% real wild-caught tuna” on its website and <a href="https://www.delish.com/food-news/a35350490/subway-tuna-lawsuit/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-verdict-is-in-subways-infamous-tuna-lawsuit-thrown-out-by-judge-2716858" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">offering a 15% discount</a> on foot-long tuna subs under the promo code “ITSREAL.”This isn’t the first time Subway has battled customers in court. In 2017, an appeals court <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-subway-decision-footlong/worthless-subway-footlong-sandwich-settlement-is-thrown-out-u-s-court-idUSKCN1B52H6?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-verdict-is-in-subways-infamous-tuna-lawsuit-thrown-out-by-judge-2716858" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">dismissed</a> another class-action settlement over claims the chain's "footlong subs" were actually <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/subway-to-ensure-footlongs-measure-up-after-lawsuit/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-verdict-is-in-subways-infamous-tuna-lawsuit-thrown-out-by-judge-2716858" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">only 11 inches</a>. Just last year, the <a href="https://www.eater.com/2020/10/1/21496848/irish-supreme-court-rules-subway-bread-has-too-much-sugar-to-count-as-bread?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-verdict-is-in-subways-infamous-tuna-lawsuit-thrown-out-by-judge-2716858" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Irish Supreme Court ruled</a> that Subway’s bread could “not legally be considered bread” due to its sugar content.This also isn’t the first time Subway has had to defend the authenticity of its sandwich protein options. A <a href="https://montreal.eater.com/2020/12/18/22187469/quebec-class-action-lawsuit-alleges-only-half-subways-chicken?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-verdict-is-in-subways-infamous-tuna-lawsuit-thrown-out-by-judge-2716858" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">class action lawsuit</a> filed in Quebec alleged Subway misrepresented the quality of its chicken after a <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/marketplace-chicken-fast-food-1.3993967?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-verdict-is-in-subways-infamous-tuna-lawsuit-thrown-out-by-judge-2716858" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">2017 CBC report</a> found it to be only 53.6% chicken. Subway fought back with a <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/subway-defamation-lawsuit-cbc-chicken-1.5879467?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-verdict-is-in-subways-infamous-tuna-lawsuit-thrown-out-by-judge-2716858" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">$210 million defamation case</a> of its own against the CBC.Franchisees have also sued the company in the past, claiming Subway’s inspection process <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/28/business/subway-franchisees.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-verdict-is-in-subways-infamous-tuna-lawsuit-thrown-out-by-judge-2716858" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">hindered</a> the success of their business. For example, some Subway franchise owners had their franchise license revoked after attempting to <a href="https://www.mashed.com/160777/the-untold-truth-of-subway/?utm_campaign=clip&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-verdict-is-in-subways-infamous-tuna-lawsuit-thrown-out-by-judge-2716858" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">switch suppliers</a> in order to source different ingredients.&nbsp;Subway is the <a href="https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-world-s-largest-fast-food-restaurant-chains.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-verdict-is-in-subways-infamous-tuna-lawsuit-thrown-out-by-judge-2716858" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">largest</a> fast-food company in the world by store count, and all locations are franchise-owned, so the false tuna claims could have been a bombshell for a hefty percentage of the franchising world. While the infamous case may not be gone forever and the actual contents of the tuna remain fishy, it appears that the law is on Subway’s side for now.Related stories:<ul><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/subways-tuna-fish-sandwich-is-not-tuna-and-not-fish-lawsuit-claims-2714881#stories">Subway’s Tuna Fish Sandwich is ‘Not Tuna and Not Fish,’ Lawsuit Claims</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/subway-rumored-to-be-for-sale-what-franchisees-are-saying-2715477">Subway Rumored To Be For Sale: What Franchisees Are Saying</a></li></ul>

The Verdict Is In: Subway’s Infamous Tuna Lawsuit Thrown Out by Judge

1851 Franchise

The world’s largest fast food franchise chain commended the court for taking action on the ‘reckless and improper’ claims, although the actual contents of the brand’s tuna supply remain mysterious.

the-verdict-is-in-subways-infamous-tuna-lawsuit-thrown-out-by-judge

Fitness Premier

Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs: Your Premier Fitness Franchise Opportunity for 2025

fitness-premier-247-clubs-your-premier-fitness-franchise-opportunity-for-2025

USA Ninja Challenge

USA Ninja Challenge Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025

usa-ninja-challenge-ranks-among-top-franchises-on-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-for-2025

Strategic Franchising

Why Franchising Is the Smart Path to Business Ownership

why-franchising-is-the-smart-path-to-business-ownership

Mathnasium

Mathnasium Launches New 3-Month Courses: Numerical Fluency & SAT® and ACT® Test Prep

mathnasium-launches-new-3-month-courses-numerical-fluency-sat-and-act-test-prep

CapitalSpring

CapitalSpring’s Perspective on the State of the Restaurant Industry and 2025 Predictions

capitalsprings-perspective-on-the-state-of-the-restaurant-industry-and-2025-predictions

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

Login

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

DOJ FTC Antitrust Guidelines - Franchise News - 1851 Franchise

DOJ and FTC Issue New Antitrust Guidelines with Implications for Franchising

doj-and-ftc-issue-new-antitrust-guidelines-with-implications-for-franchising

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025

paris-baguette-ranks-among-top-franchises-on-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-for-2025

Yum Brands - KFC - Pizza Hut - Terminates Franchise Agreements in Turkey - 1851 Franchise

Yum! Brands Terminates Franchise Agreements in Turkey Due to Non-Compliance

yum-brands-terminates-franchise-agreements-in-turkey-due-to-non-compliance

Recent Franchise News - Why Franchisors Churn Through Marketing Suppliers - 1851 Franchise

Forbes: Four Reasons Why Franchisors Churn Through Marketing Suppliers

forbes-four-reasons-why-franchisors-churn-through-marketing-suppliers

QSR Magazine: Big Chicken Targets Global Expansion

qsr-magazine-big-chicken-aims-for-global-growth

Bringing French-Inspired Flavor to Ohio: Franchisee Expands Paris Baguette in Ohio

Bringing French-Inspired Flavor to Ohio: Franchisee Expands Paris Baguette in Cincinnati and Columbus

franchisee-expands-paris-baguette-in-cincinnati-and-columbus-ohio

Austin-Based Franchisee Reflects on First Year Of Ownership with Children’s Lighthouse

austin-based-franchisee-reflects-on-first-year-of-ownership-with-childrens-lighthouse

Local Mother To Open USA Ninja Challenge Franchise in Woodstock, Georgia

local-mother-to-open-usa-ninja-challenge-franchise-in-woodstock-georgia

Military Veteran and Craft Beer Enthusiast to Bring Voodoo Brewing Co. to Toledo, Ohio

military-veteran-and-craft-beer-enthusiast-to-bring-voodoo-brewing-co-to-toledo-ohio

Franchise Deep Dive: The UPS Store Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit, and Data

franchise-deep-dive-the-ups-store-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

The Verdict Is In: Subway’s Infamous Tuna Lawsuit Thrown Out by Judge

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS