Compass Group USA $6.94M Vending Machine Settlement

Compass Group USA Inc. d/b/a Canteen

Consumers who made a purchase using a credit, debit or prepaid card from certain vending machines owned by Compass Group USA Inc. (doing business as Canteen) between 2014 and July 9, 2025, may be eligible to claim a cash payment ranging from $30 to $360 from a class action settlement.

Compass Group USA Inc. agreed to pay $6.94 million to resolve a class action lawsuit alleging certain Canteen vending machines charged customers who paid with a card more than the displayed price without disclosing the extra charge.

Who can file a vending machine claim?

Class members must meet all of the following requirements:

They made one or more purchases from a subject vending machine owned or operated by Compass Group USA Inc. (Canteen) in the United States
They used a credit, debit or prepaid card for the purchase
They purchased the product between 2014 and July 9, 2025

A subject vending machine is defined as a vending machine that:

Offered both cash and card payment options
Charged more than the price displayed for purchases made with a credit, debit or prepaid card

Not all Canteen vending machines are included. The following are not considered subject vending machines:

Machines with a cash discount sticker at the time of purchase (indicating the displayed price is the cash price and card payments cost more)
Machines that displayed both the cash and card prices for each item
Machines with a digital shopping cart screen showing both the cash and card prices

The settlement website lists subject vending machines locations. Those who made a qualifying purchase at one of these locations are likely eligible to file a claim.

How much is the Canteen payout?

Eligible class members can receive a cash payment based on the number of qualifying purchases they made from a subject vending machine using a credit, debit or prepaid card. The payment tiers are as follows:

Up to 250 purchases: $30
More than 250 purchases: $60
More than 500 purchases: $90
More than 750 purchases: $120
More than 1,000 purchases: $150
More than 1,250 purchases: $180
More than 1,500 purchases: $210
More than 1,750 purchases: $240
More than 2,000 purchases: $270
More than 2,250 purchases: $300
More than 2,500 purchases: $360

The exact amount each class member receives depends on the number of qualifying purchases they made and the total number of valid claims submitted. If the total amount claimed by all class members exceeds the net settlement fund available after deductions for attorneys' fees, litigation costs, service awards and administration costs, payments will be reduced on a pro rata basis.

How to claim a class action payment

Class members can submit an online claim form or download, print and complete the PDF claim form to mail or email to the settlement administrator. The claim deadline is Nov. 14, 2025.

Settlement administrator's contact information: Jilek v Compass Group USA Inc d/b/a Canteen, P.O. Box 25417, Santa Ana, CA 92799, info@VendingMachineSettlement.com

What information is necessary to submit a claim?

Class members must provide the number of qualifying purchases they made from a subject vending machine using a credit, debit or prepaid card between 2014 and July 9, 2025, and the city and state where the purchases were made.

Payout options

PayPal (online claims only)
Venmo (online claims only)
Zelle (online claims only)
Paper check

$6.94 million settlement fund breakdown

The $6,940,000 settlement fund covers:

Settlement administration costs: $850,000 (estimated)
Attorneys' fees: Up to $2,313,333.33
Attorneys' costs: To be determined
Service award to plaintiff: Up to $10,000
Taxes: To be determined
Payments to eligible class members: Remainder of the fund

No money from the settlement will be returned to Compass Group USA Inc. Any remaining settlement funds will be donated to charity, pending court approval.

Important dates

Opt-out deadline: Oct. 17, 2025
Claim deadline: Nov. 14, 2025
Final approval hearing: Jan. 9, 2026

When is the Compass Group payout date?

Settlement payments will be distributed approximately 14 days after the court grants final approval to the settlement and any appeals are resolved.

Why is there a class action settlement?

The class action lawsuit alleged Compass Group USA Inc. (doing business as Canteen) operated vending machines that charged customers more than the displayed price for items when they made purchases with a credit, debit or prepaid card. The plaintiff claimed the machines did not inform customers of the extra charge.

Compass Group denied any wrongdoing or violation of law, and the court did not decide which side was correct. Both parties agreed to settle to avoid the cost and risk of further litigation and to provide benefits to affected customers.