DoorDash Restaurant Listings Chicago City Settlement: $3.25 Million Fund, File Your Claim By March 30, 2026 (Case No. 1:21-cv-05162)
Chicago restaurant owners listed on DoorDash or Caviar without permission between August 2019 and November 2025 can claim up to $2,500 from a $3.25 million settlement fund. The claim deadline is March 30, 2026.
What The Settlement Is About
The City of Chicago filed a lawsuit against DoorDash alleging the delivery company violated Chicago Municipal Code by listing thousands of small restaurants on DoorDash and Caviar platforms without obtaining written consent. This happened during the COVID-19 pandemic when restaurants were struggling to survive, and delivery apps gained massive power.
According to court filings in City of Chicago v. DoorDash Inc., Case No. 1:21-cv-05162 (U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois), DoorDash added restaurants to generate order volume and collect commissions while leaving business owners with zero control over their online presence, pricing, or customer service.
Chicago’s ordinance requires third-party delivery services to secure written agreements before listing any restaurant. DoorDash denied wrongdoing but agreed to the settlement in November 2025 as part of an $18 million deal resolving multiple claims against the company.
Who Is Eligible For The Settlement
You qualify if your restaurant meets all three requirements. First, you operated nine or fewer locations within Chicago city limits under a common business name. Second, DoorDash or Caviar listed your restaurant without a contractual relationship between August 27, 2019, and November 14, 2025. Third, you currently have no active agreement with DoorDash or Caviar.
Restaurants with ten or more locations don’t qualify. Neither do restaurants currently partnered with DoorDash or Caviar, even if they were initially listed without permission. Your business name and address must appear on official eligibility notices sent by Atticus Administration.
How The Lawsuit Started
Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration launched investigations into third-party delivery companies in 2020 after receiving complaints from struggling restaurant owners. The City of Chicago sued DoorDash and Grubhub in August 2021, marking the first comprehensive enforcement action against meal delivery companies in the United States.
The lawsuit alleged DoorDash exploited pandemic-driven demand while Chicago restaurants faced closures and bankruptcy. Restaurant owners reported seeing their menus online with inflated prices they never approved, receiving complaints about orders they never accepted, and losing customers who thought they were uncooperative when they couldn’t fulfill DoorDash orders.
Settlement Details And Payment Amounts
The settlement allocates $3.25 million specifically to restaurants that were listed without consent and are not currently on the DoorDash platform. Eligible restaurants will receive equal shares of the settlement fund, with a maximum payment of $2,500 per restaurant.
Your exact payment depends on how many valid claims are submitted. If fewer restaurants file claims, each eligible business receives a larger share. If thousands claim, payments will be lower but capped at $2,500 maximum per restaurant.
Payments are scheduled to be issued by the end of June 2026 after the settlement administrator verifies all claims and the court grants final approval.
How To File Your Claim
Visit the official settlement website and submit an online attestation form. You must confirm under penalty of perjury that your restaurant meets all eligibility requirements. The attestation process is straightforward but legally binding—false claims can result in penalties.
If you prefer mail, contact the settlement administrator at https://www.chicagodoordashsettlement.com/chicago-door-dash-claim-form-login/ [email protected] or write to City of Chicago v DoorDash, c/o Atticus Administration, PO Box 64053, St. Paul, MN 55164 to request a paper claim form.
You’ll need your business name, address, and the approximate period DoorDash listed your restaurant without permission. You don’t need extensive documentation initially, but the administrator may request additional information to verify eligibility.
Critical March 30, 2026 Deadline
Your attestation form must be submitted online or postmarked by March 30, 2026. This deadline is firm and non-negotiable. Late claims will not be processed, and you’ll forfeit your right to settlement money.
Mark this date on your calendar immediately. Missing the deadline means losing thousands of dollars your restaurant may be entitled to receive. The settlement administrator will not accept excuses for late submissions.
What Is The DoorDash Restaurant Listings Chicago Settlement About?
The settlement resolves allegations that DoorDash violated Chicago Municipal Code by listing restaurants on its delivery platforms without written consent between August 2019 and November 2025, exploiting small businesses during the pandemic.
Which Restaurants Are Eligible?
Chicago-based restaurants with nine or fewer locations that were listed on DoorDash or Caviar without a contract between August 27, 2019, and November 14, 2025, and have no current DoorDash or Caviar agreement.
How Many Restaurants Are Affected?
Exact numbers haven’t been disclosed, but thousands of Chicago restaurants were listed without permission during the pandemic. The $3.25 million fund suggests hundreds to thousands of eligible businesses.
What Were The Specific Allegations Against DoorDash?
The City alleged DoorDash listed restaurants without written agreements as required by Chicago ordinance, inflated menu prices without restaurant approval, and collected commissions while leaving business owners unable to control their online presence or customer service.
How Do I Check If My Restaurant Is Eligible?
If you received official notice from Atticus Administration listing your business name and address, you likely qualify. You can also contact the settlement administrator at [email protected] to verify eligibility.
How Much Money Will I Receive?
Payments are calculated on a pro rata basis with a maximum of $2,500 per restaurant. Your exact amount depends on the total number of valid claims submitted from the $3.25 million fund.
Where Is The Official Settlement Website?
Contact Atticus Administration at [email protected] or call them at the number provided in your eligibility notice for the official settlement website and claim portal access.
Last Updated: February 7, 2026
Disclaimer: This article provides informational content only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult an attorney for guidance on your specific situation.
If your Chicago restaurant was listed without permission, don’t miss this settlement opportunity. File your claim before March 30, 2026.
Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com
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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