McDonald's Franchise Workers $3.55M Meal-Break Settlement; Claims Due March 8

A $3.55 million settlement fund has been established to resolve a class action alleging that hourly employees at McDonald’s franchise locations operated by UTB Enterprises LLC and Goldenband LLC were not paid for meal periods shorter than 30 minutes under Oregon law. The case, South et al. v. Armstrong et al., Case No. 20CV29671, sets a March 8, 2026 deadline for claims and schedules a final fairness hearing for March 27, 2026.

The settlement, summarized in an updated Claim Depot entry on Jan. 19, 2026, provides an automatic baseline payment of $31.14 to class members who take no action. Workers who submit a valid claim can receive additional payments that vary by weeks worked, with a maximum additional award of $872.49. The settlement administrator is Epiq Global, and the claim portal is utbgoldenbandclassaction.com.

Practical steps for affected employees are straightforward but time sensitive. Notices were mailed with unique ID numbers and PINs; claimants must use those credentials on the administrator’s site or contact Epiq Global for help. Filing a claim may require a Social Security number or other tax identification information to process payments and tax reporting. The Claim Depot record shows the matter was originally posted Dec. 11, 2025 and updated Jan. 19, 2026, confirming the schedule and mechanics.

For workers, the settlement delivers direct, if modest, compensation for alleged missed meal-pay protections and highlights recurring friction points in fast-food scheduling and timekeeping. The baseline automatic payment ensures every class member receives some recovery without filing, while the claims process lets those with longer or more frequent infractions capture larger amounts. The prospect of a multimillion-dollar payout also puts pressure on franchise operators to review clock-out policies, meal-break enforcement, and payroll audits to avoid repeat disputes.

Leftover funds, if any remain after payments and fees, will be donated to Legal Aid Services of Oregon and NW Workers’ Justice Project, channeling residual recovery back into legal support for low-income and working-class Oregon residents.

Employees who believe they are class members should locate their mailed notice and unique ID or contact Epiq Global through the claims website to preserve rights before the March 8 deadline. The March 27 fairness hearing will consider final approval; until then, the settlement represents a potential cash recovery and a reminder that meal-break practices remain a closely watched labor issue in the restaurant sector.