$2.45M Panda Restaurant Group Data Breach Class Action Settlement, 240K Employees’ SSNs Exposed, Claim Up To $5,000 By April 10

Panda Restaurant Group Inc. agreed to pay $2.45 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging a data security incident occurred in or around March 2023 that exposed Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and names of approximately 240,295 current and former employees. The final approval hearing for the Panda Express data breach settlement is scheduled for April 20, 2026. To receive settlement benefits, class members must submit a valid claim form by April 10, 2026.

What Data Got Stolen From Panda Employees

An unauthorized third party gained access to the company’s files containing highly sensitive personally identifiable information. An unauthorized party accessed certain corporate systems between March 7 and March 11, 2024.

Here’s what hackers stole during the four-day breach:

• Full names
• Social Security numbers
• Dates of birth
• Employee identification information

The Panda Restaurant Group class action lawsuit claimed that the restaurant conglomerate, which owns Panda Express, Panda Inn, and Hibachi-san, failed to implement proper cybersecurity measures to protect the confidential consumer and employee information in its care.

This breach shares concerning similarities with other restaurant industry data breaches like the Signature Performance $8.5M Data Breach Settlement, Claim Up To $5,000 By May 7, 2026, where healthcare service providers failed to protect patient data.

How Much Money Can You Get?

Class members can claim up to $5,000 in documented, unreimbursed expenses and/or losses resulting from the data breach. Here’s the breakdown:

Documented Loss Payment: Up to $5,000 if you have documented, unreimbursed losses from the breach (like fraudulent charges, bank fees, or credit monitoring costs). This covers:

• Credit monitoring fees you already paid
• Late fees caused by identity theft
• Unauthorized charges on your accounts
• Professional fees to resolve fraud
• Time spent fixing identity theft issues ($25/hour, up to 10 hours)

Pro Rata Cash Payment: Class members who do not submit a documented loss claim can submit a claim to receive an alternative flat cash payment estimated at $100. No receipts needed—just proof you received the breach notice.

California Residents Get Extra: Class members who are California residents can also submit a claim to receive an additional payment estimated at $125 under state privacy laws.

Free Credit Monitoring: All class members automatically get one year of three-bureau credit monitoring plus $1 million in identity theft insurance.

Who Qualifies To File A Claim

The settlement only covers people in the United States who received a notice that their information may have been compromised as a result of the Panda Express breach.

You’re eligible if you:

• Received a data breach notification letter from Panda Restaurant Group about the March 2024 incident
• Were a current or former employee whose information was stored in affected systems
• Live in the United States (including territories)

All claims require the unique ID and PIN from settlement notice required to submit a claim. Without that notice letter, you’ll need to contact the settlement administrator to verify eligibility.

The Legal Case Behind This Settlement

The case is officially titled Vargas v. Panda Restaurant Group, Inc., Case No. 2:24-cv-03732-FMO-MAA, filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

Panda Restaurant Group has not admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to a $2.45 million class action settlement to resolve the data breach allegations.

Similar to patterns seen in the 23andMe Class Action Lawsuit Payout 2026, $30 Million Settlement Pays Up To $10,000, victims of corporate data breaches face serious risks of identity theft and fraud long after the initial incident.

Critical April Deadlines You Cannot Miss

April 10, 2026: The claim deadline is April 10, 2026. Submit claims online or have paper forms postmarked by this date.

March 23, 2026: The deadline for exclusion and objection is March 23, 2026. If you want to sue separately or object to settlement terms, act before this date.

April 20, 2026: The final approval hearing for the Panda Express data breach settlement is scheduled for April 20, 2026 at 10:30 AM Pacific Time in Courtroom 7A, United States District Court, 350 West 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Missing the April 10 deadline means you forfeit all settlement benefits and can’t sue Panda separately over this breach.

How To File Your Claim Right Now

Official Settlement Website: www.PRGBreachSettlement.com – File your claim online using your unique ID and PIN.

Settlement Administrator Phone: Call toll-free for assistance with filing your claim or verifying eligibility.

Mail Filing: Settlement administrator’s mailing address: PRG Breach Settlement, c/o A.B. Data Ltd., P.O. Box 173073, Milwaukee, WI 53217.

What You’ll Need:

• Your unique ID and PIN from the breach notice
• For documented losses over $100: third-party documentation, which may include receipts, bank statements or other proof of out-of-pocket expenses and monetary losses due to fraud or identity theft
• Proof of time spent resolving identity theft (if claiming time compensation)
• Bank statements showing fraudulent charges
• Credit monitoring invoices you already paid

Critical Questions Answered

What is the Panda Restaurant Group data breach settlement?

It’s a $2.45 million settlement resolving claims that Panda failed to protect employee information during a March 2024 data breach. The breach exposed Social Security numbers, names, and birth dates of 240,295 current and former employees across Panda Express, Panda Inn, Hibachi San, and related brands.

Where do I file my claim?

Visit the official settlement website at www.PRGBreachSettlement.com to file online using your unique ID and PIN. Alternatively, mail completed claim forms to PRG Breach Settlement, c/o A.B. Data Ltd., P.O. Box 173073, Milwaukee, WI 53217 (postmarked by April 10, 2026).

Am I eligible if I was a Panda customer but not an employee?

No. This settlement covers only current and former employees whose data was compromised, not customers. You must have received a specific data breach notification letter from Panda to qualify.

What if I lost my breach notification letter with the unique ID?

Contact the settlement administrator immediately at www.PRGBreachSettlement.com or call their toll-free number. They can verify your eligibility using your employment information and issue a replacement ID and PIN for filing your claim.

How much will the $100 pro rata payment actually be?

The final amount depends on how many valid claims are filed. The exact amount depends on how many people file claims, but it’s estimated at around $100. If fewer people claim, you get more. If more people claim, the per-person amount decreases proportionally from the remaining settlement fund after attorney fees and costs.

When will I receive my settlement payment?

Settlement payments are sent after the Court grants final approval at or after the Final Approval Hearing and any appeals are resolved. Expect payments approximately 60-90 days after the April 20, 2026 final approval hearing, assuming no appeals are filed—likely June-July 2026.

What brands does this settlement cover?

Panda Restaurant Group brands include Panda Express, Panda Inn, Hibachi San, Uncle Tetsu, Yakiya, Great Panda and some Whataburger locations. If you worked at any of these restaurants during the breach period, you may qualify.

Last Updated: February 14, 2026

Disclaimer: This article provides informational content only and does not constitute legal advice. Data breach victims should review settlement terms carefully before filing claims.

Next Steps: Visit www.PRGBreachSettlement.com immediately to file your claim using your unique ID and PIN. Don’t wait—the April 10, 2026 deadline is firm and non-negotiable.

Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com

Meta Description: Panda Express employees can claim up to $5,000 from $2.45M data breach settlement. 240K affected by March 2024 SSN exposure. File at PRGBreachSettlement.com by April 10.

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
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