Chipotle Mexican Grill will pay nearly a quarter of a million dollars for violating a California gift card law.
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced on Oct. 23 that a complaint filed on behalf of Ventura, Shasta, Sonoma, and Los Angeles counties alleging the fast food chain had violated a state gift card law, according to a DA’s office news release.
Chipotle entered into a stipulated judgment in which the company will pay $145,467.04 in civil penalties, $88,532.96 in investigative costs, and $12,000 in restitution to the California Consumer Protection Prosecution Trust Fund, the release says.
The company will also launch a site to help consumers request refunds on gift card balances under $10.
Why does Chipotle have to pay $246,000?
The district attorneys of the four counties brought forth a suit alleging that Chipotle had violated the California gift card redemption law by unlawfully denying customers the right to cash out gift cards with balances less than $10.
The law allows Californians holding gift cards with a remaining balance less than $10 to cash out the gift card instead of spending the remaining balance.
How to get Chipotle gift card money?
As part of the settlement, Chipotle will set up a website for customers to request refunds for gift cards under $10, but will still be able to cash them in-store.
The company’s gift cards will also have updated messaging directing consumers to the new site.
To receive a payment for a qualifying balance, go to https://www.chipotle.com/gift-card-cashback.
Ernesto Centeno Araujo covers breaking news for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at ecentenoaraujo@vcstar.com, 805-437-0224 or @ecentenoaraujo on Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Chipotle Mexican Grill to pay $246,000 as part of California gift card law complaint
Reporting by Ernesto Centeno Araujo, Ventura County Star / Ventura County Star
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