Class Action Targeting Taco Bell Withers Like Shredded Lettuce under a Heat Lamp

As reported by the Associated Press, the Alabama law firm headed by tort kingpin Jere Beasley has withdrawn its would-be class action against Taco Bell filed in California last January.  Beasley’s crew alleged back then that, according to independent lab testing, the restaurant chain’s taco meat wasn’t sufficiently meaty.  Perhaps the trial lawyers’ lab techs weren’t sufficiently techie, and their “evidence,” like so much shredded lettuce under a heat lamp, withered upon scrutiny.

In any case, here’s a link to a Taco Bell ad that asks Beaseley’s goons for an apology (as if), and text from a triumphant Taco Bell news release follows below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LAW FIRM VOLUNTARILY WITHDRAWS CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST TACO BELL

CLAIMS ABOUT COMPANY’S FOOD QUALITY AND ADVERTISING WERE WRONG

IRVINE, Calif. April 18, 2011 – Taco Bell said today that Alabama-based Beasley Allen law firm voluntarily withdrew the class action lawsuit against the company.  As Taco Bell has stated before, the allegations in the lawsuit and in public statements about Taco Bell’s seasoned beef, food quality and advertising were absolutely wrong.  After reviewing the facts, the lawyers for the plaintiff withdrew the lawsuit.  No money or other value was exchanged between the parties, and Taco Bell is not making any changes to its products or advertising.

“This sets the record straight about the high quality of our seasoned beef and the integrity of our advertising,” said Greg Creed, Chief Executive Officer, Taco Bell.  “We are extremely proud of our food quality.  We took great exception to the false claims made about our seasoned beef and wish the attorneys had contacted us before filing and publicizing a lawsuit that disparaged our brand. We hope the voluntary withdrawal of this lawsuit receives as much public attention as when it was filed so we may put the matter behind us and fully concentrate on serving our customers.”

About Taco Bell Corp.
Taco Bell Corp. (“Taco Bell”), a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., (NYSE: YUM), is the nation’s leading Mexican-style quick service restaurant chain. Taco Bell serves tacos, burritos, signature quesadillas, Grilled Stuft Burritos, nachos, and other specialty items such as Crunchwrap Supreme®, in addition to the Why Pay More!® Value Menu. Taco Bell serves more than 36.8 million consumers each week in nearly 5,600 restaurants in the U.S.

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