Court nixes class action suit over TGI Friday's drink prices

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A New Jersey court has rejected class status for a lawsuit over drink prices at TGI Friday's restaurants.

A southern New Jersey woman sued in 2010 claiming the chain violated consumer fraud laws by not posting drink prices on menus and charging different prices for drinks in different areas of its restaurants. Two other plaintiffs eventually joined the suit.

A judge granted class status in 2012, meaning anyone who ordered unpriced drinks at 14 company-owned New Jersey restaurants from 2004 through 2014 could make a claim.

A state appeals court decision published Thursday reversed that finding. The three-judge panel wrote that people who either didn't look at the menus or ask the prices before ordering couldn't necessarily claim damages.

Attorneys for both sides didn't immediately return messages seeking comment.