Papa John’s $5M Employee Antitrust Class Action Settlement

Employees who worked at a Papa John’s-branded restaurant in the United States between Dec. 18, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2021, and earned more than $200 during that period may be eligible to claim a cash payment from a class action settlement.

Papa John’s International Inc. and Papa John’s USA Inc. agreed to pay $5 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging violations of antitrust laws. The lawsuit claimed the companies and their franchisees entered into “no-poach” agreements that may have suppressed employee wages and limited job opportunities for restaurant-level workers.

Who can file a claim?

Class members must meet all of the following criteria:

• They worked at any Papa John’s-branded restaurant in the United States regardless of whether it was company- or franchisee-owned.
• The worked for the restaurant at any time between Dec. 18, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2021.
• They received more than $200 in compensation during the class period.

The settlement includes both full- and part-time employees as long as they meet the compensation and employment period requirements. Those who received a notice about the settlement are likely class members and can participate.

How much can class members get?

Pro rata payment: The total settlement fund is $5 million. After deducting attorneys’ fees, administration costs and a service award to the lead plaintiff, the estimated net settlement fund available for distribution to class members is $3,485,956.77.

Each class member who submits a valid claim form by the deadline will receive a payment calculated according to a formula described in the settlement agreement. The amount each person receives will depend on the number of valid claims submitted and the allocation formula, but class members will not receive payment if their calculated amount is less than $5.

How to claim a class action payout

Eligible class members can file a claim online or download a PDF claim form to print, complete and mail to the settlement administrator. The claim deadline is March 16, 2026.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: Papa John’s Employee Settlement, c/o A.B. Data Ltd., P.O. Box 173013, Milwaukee, WI 53217

What must class members provide to submit a claim?

• All class members must provide contact information and the last four digits of their Social Security number.
• To submit an online claim, class members must enter the unique ID and PIN provided on the settlement notice they received.

Payout options

• Digital payment via email (options include PayPal, Amazon or a digital debit card)
• Paper check

$5 million settlement fund breakdown

The $5,000,000 settlement fund covers:

• Settlement administration costs: $259,043.23 (estimated)
• Attorneys’ fees and costs: Up to $1,250,000.00
• Service award to lead plaintiff: Up to $5,000.00
• Payments to class members: $3,485,956.77 (estimated net settlement fund)

Important dates

• Deadline to file a claim: March 16, 2026
• Deadline for exclusion: March 16, 2026
• Final approval (fairness) hearing: May 5, 2026

When is the Papa John’s employee settlement payout date?

The settlement administrator will distribute payments to approved claimants after the court resolves any appeals and grants final approval of the settlement.

Why is there a class action settlement?

This class action lawsuit alleged Papa John’s International Inc. and Papa John’s USA Inc. violated antitrust laws by entering into agreements with franchisees not to hire or solicit each other’s employees. The plaintiffs claimed these no-poach agreements suppressed wages and limited job mobility for restaurant-level employees.

The defendants deny any wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid the risks and costs of continued litigation.

Sources

1. Class notice
2. Claim form
3. Settlement agreement
4. Settlement FAQs