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Applebee’s Ignores Text-Messaging Opt-Out Requests, Says Class Action

Applebee’s engages in unsolicited text messaging and continues contacting consumers after they have opted out of its solicitations, alleged plaintiff Melissa Garzon’s Telephone Consumer Protection Act class action Monday (docket 8:24-cv-00738) in U.S. District Court for Middle Florida in Tampa.…

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Applebee’s sent multiple text messages to Garzon’s cellphone, though her number was listed on the national do not call registry since August 2017, said the Hillsborough County, Florida, resident's class action. The complaint bears screenshots of at least a dozen such text-message solicitations, advertising $13.99 “holiday combos” and other promotional offers. In addition, Applebee’s fails to honor consumer requests to opt out of text message solicitations, said the complaint. That failure demonstrates that the company lacks written policies and procedures for its text messaging marketing, nor does it provide proper training to telemarketing personnel, it said. Applebee’s also doesn’t maintain an internal, stand-alone DNC list, it said.