George’s has settled claims by a dozen restaurant companies that it conspired with other poultry producers to inflate and fix chicken prices, according to court documents.
The 12 plaintiffs — Barbecue Integrated, Bojangles, Boston Market, Captain D’s, El Pollo Loco, FIC Restaurants, Golden Corral, Johnny Rockets, Shamrock Foods, United Food Service, White Castle and WZ Franchise Corp. — ended their claims against George’s in orders filed Oct. 28 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The terms of the settlements were not disclosed.
George’s did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Springdale, Ark.-based company operates eight plants in Arkansas, Missouri and Virginia.
The court is hearing multi-district litigation against George’s and other producers in the wake of complaints made in 2016.
A federal judge earlier this year approved a $104 million settlement between George’s and other processors, including Amick Farms, Fieldale Farms, Marc-Jac Poultry, Peco Foods, Pilgrim’s Pride and Tyson Foods.
