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Denny's

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Revision as of 23:20, 9 April 2026 by SquidthePlummer (talk | contribs) (added all 90's incidents and did cleanup)
Denny's
Basic information
Founded 1953
Legal Structure Private
Industry Food
Also known as Denny's Diner
Official website https://dennys.com/

Denny's is an American table service restaurant chain spanning across 500 locations worldwide. It is the owner of The Burger Den and The Meltdown.[1] On January, Denny's became a subsidiary to TriArtisan Capital Advisors, Treville Capital Group, and Yadav Enterprises from a $620 million transaction deal.[2]

Consumer-impact summary

  • User Freedom: Can request to opt-out of collection by clicking on the "unsubscribe link", phone number or email.
  • User privacy: The company collects and shares personal information including interests, name, email, phone number, IP address, post sent via other apps like Facebook and X, sensory information, and shopping behavior with other third-parties.
  • Business Model: The company franchises locations and has license agreements with Seven & I Holdings.

Incidents

This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the Denny's category.

Text Advertisement (2020)

On 6 February, plaintiff Ladarrius Cooley filed a complaint for violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act for sending unsolicited advertising messaging with an autodialing system to customers after receiving several texts on 13 December and 17 December 2019 without consent.[3][4] On 19 May, the case reached a undisclosed settlement and was dismissed with prejudice by the plaintiff. [5]

Removing app features and discounts (2025)

Denny's introduced a update to their reward program around August to incentivize customers to visit more with offers tailored to their interest using customers purchase history.[6][7]

"This new program is a best-in-class, one-to-one marketing program that leverages our already strong database of loyal guests to create greater, more compelling reasons for them to engage and spend more,”

People posted on AARP forums and Reddit sharing frustration over the gradual decrease of discounts and removal of app features. Several people claim they received less coupons deals such as 10-20% off on products.[8][9][10][11][12][13][14] Additionally, several people experienced glitches and difficulty with the new program and removal of several key features previously available.[15][16][17]

Customers Mistreatment

This section is incomplete. This notice can be deleted once all the placeholder text has been replaced.

Discrimination

1988

Around December, a Hispanic family comprising of Ruby Flores and his two sons filed a lawsuit against Denny's for allegedly being required to pre-pay in order to receive service while several white customers weren't required to pre-pay to receive service. The case reach a settlement two months later with the family stated they received $3000, however Denny franchise owner John Krizman denied ever recalling the case.[18]

1991

On 31 December, 18 teenagers were required to pay $2 for each person and bill fees before being served at a Denny's restaurant located in Jose, California. The company suspended pre-payment procedures and collaborated with National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to improve diversity inclusion.[19] This eventually led to the original teenagers filing a lawsuit against Denny's.

1993

On 24 May, 6 black Secret Service agents filed a lawsuit in Maryland against Denny's after waiting an hour for service.[20][21] On 1 April, 21 secret service agents went to Denny's in Annapolis to prepare for a speech by president Clinton on 7:30 am. Upon arrival, they claimed the waitress denied service numerous times due to their race after seeing their white-collegues and another white family be seated and served in 10 minutes. When the group plan to leave around 8:25 am, the waitress served the black service agents with food, however they had to decline due to time constraints.[22][23] In response, the company fired the manager and released a statement alleging the incident was a service issue and will be investigated by a third party.

"While initial findings point to a problem of slow service and not racial bias, the company is seeking an independent third party to help investigate the incident on April 1 involving six Secret Service agents."[24][22]

1994

On 24 May Denny's reached a $46 million settlement that includes the 6 service agents, Californian customers, and additional customers later added on in the suit.[25][26] The settlement agreement compensated the 6 service agents $35,000 each and 12 other individuals named in the lawsuit $15,000 each, 18 individuals in California receiving $25,000 each, and distributing $28 million on the remaining affected customers. Additionally, the company also agreed to pay $450,000 to various school and non-profit organizations.[27][28]

1997

Around April, 6 Asian American students sued Denny's after allegedly being denied service and succumbing injuries due to their race.[29] They claim after waiting for 30 minutes for service and asking why they weren't seated, they were escorted out the restaurant by 2 guards at Denny's and subsequently attacked and filed racial slurs at the group.[30]Denny responded by firing and disciplining some employees while sharing anger and disgust over the incident, with back then Denny's president John Romandetti expressing "deep regret".[31] The lawsuit was eventually dismissed due to lack of evidence and legal baisis, citing the event was likely a political stunt.[30]

2004

https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna7670798 apr 8

2014

2017

2018

https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/dennys-in-santa-clara-accused-of-kicking-out-group-of-korean-americans/165570/ apr 9

https://newsone.com/3821715/dennys-floridia-black-church/ apr 9

2019

[32]

2020

https://www.essence.com/news/dennys-black-customers-racism/ apr 8

2023

https://newsone.com/4694877/dennys-video-black-men-refused-service/ apr 8

2025

https://atlantablackstar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Bonhomme-et-al-vs-Dennys-Inc.-et-al_Complaint_11.05.25.pdf apr 9

https://web.archive.org/web/20250806015716/https://intheblacknet.com/black-news/south-dakota/dennys-calls-cops-on-black-men-refused-service/ apr 9

https://www.blackenterprise.com/5-black-women-sue-dennys-discrimination/ apr 8

https://atlantablackstar.com/2025/11/14/dennys-while-white-customers-serenely-enjoyed-their-omelets/ apr 8

https://web.archive.org/web/20260102002141/https://atlantablackstar.com/2025/11/14/dennys-while-white-customers-serenely-enjoyed-their-omelets/ apr 8

Refusing service to truck drivers (2017)

https://cdllife.com/2025/team-drivers-suing-dennys-after-they-were-refused-service/ apri 8

Refused service to Black Individuals (2023)

https://newsone.com/4694877/dennys-video-black-men-refused-service/ apr 8

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Denny's". Denny's. 8 Apr 2026. Retrieved 8 Apr 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ↑ "Denny's Corporation to be Acquired by TriArtisan Capital Advisors, Treville Capital Group and Yadav Enterprises in $620 Million Transaction". Globe newswire. 3 Nov 2025. Retrieved 8 Apr 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ↑ Pennington, Laura (11 Mar 2020). "Plaintiff Says Mobile Coupon Advertisement Text Messages Came from Denny's Restaurant". Top Class Action. Retrieved 2 Apr 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ↑ "Cooley v. Denny's Corporation". Justia. 8 Apr 2026. Retrieved 8 Apr 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ↑ "Cooley v. Denny's Corporation". PacerMonitor. 7 Apr 2026. Retrieved 8 Apr 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ↑ Talay, Kathleen (8 Aug 2025). "Denny's is leveling up its rewards program—here's what loyal diners can expect". The GrayVine. Retrieved 8 Apr 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ↑ Gralia, Luke (5 Aug 2025). "Denny's Is Upgrading Its Rewards". Parade. Retrieved 8 Apr 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ↑ "New Rewards Suck". Reddit. 6 Sep 2025. Retrieved 4 Apr 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ↑ "Offer Details = NONE!". Reddit. 29 Aug 2025. Retrieved 8 Apr 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ↑ "App cutting back". Reddit. 12 Oct 2025. Retrieved 4 Apr 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ↑ "Dennys monthly rewards". Reddit. 8 Sep 2025. Retrieved 4 Apr 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ↑ "No offers in the app?". Reddit. 30 Oct 2025. Retrieved 4 Apr 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ↑ "Denneys Discounts has rules now". AARP. 16 Nov 2025. Retrieved 8 Apr 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ↑ "Denny's not giving full 15% discount". AARP. 30 Mar 2026. Retrieved 8 Apr 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ↑ "Cannot add birthday to account". Reddit. 6 Aug 2025. Retrieved 8 Apr 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ↑ "Birthday reward offer disappeared after app update". Reddit. 29 Aug 2025. Retrieved 4 Apr 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ↑ "App update removed the custom request box from the bottom of the food items details". Reddit. 2 Apr 2026. Retrieved 6 Apr 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ↑ Journal, Herald (8 Apr 2026). "Ex-employees: Denny's practices may have led to discrimination Knight-Ridder Newspapers". GoUpstate. Retrieved 8 Apr 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ↑ "Case Study: Denny's Class Action Lawsuit". ou.edu. 8 Apr 2026. Archived from the original on 18 Aug 2002. Retrieved 8 Apr 2026.
  20. ↑ Sielick, Jim (24 May 1994). "Black Secret Service agents sue Denny's". UPI. Archived from the original on 25 Jul 2025. Retrieved 9 Apr 2026.
  21. ↑ "Denny's & Racism These Issues Will Not Go Over Easy" (PDF). Mdcbowen. 9 Apr 2026. Retrieved 9 Apr 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Journal, Herald (9 Apr 2026). "Denny's fires manager; agents sue". Groupstate. Archived from the original on 9 Apr 2026. Retrieved 9 Apr 2026.
  23. ↑ "DENNY'S ACCUSED OF BIAS MANAGER FIRED AFTER COMPLAINT". The Roanoke Times. 25 May 1993. Archived from the original on 14 Nov 2019. Retrieved 9 Apr 2026.
  24. ↑ "Black Agents Sue Denny's". New York Times. 25 May 1993. Retrieved 8 Apr 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  25. ↑ Smith, Eric (1 Apr 1996). "Not paid in full: Denny's mails out checks totaling $46 million to customers claiming discrimination". The Free Library. Archived from the original on 25 Jul 2025. Retrieved 9 Apr 2026.
  26. ↑ Kirkland, Michael (24 May 1994). "Denny's to settle bias suits". UPI. Retrieved 9 Apr 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. ↑ Fletcher, Michael (25 May 1994). "6 black Secret Service agents to share in settlement of Denny's bias suit". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on 28 Jun 2025. Retrieved 9 Apr 2026.
  28. ↑ "BIAS SETTLEMENT A RECORD". The Roanoke Times. 25 May 1994. Archived from the original on 21 Mar 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
  29. ↑ "Prosecutor Casts Doubt On Denny's Bias Case". The New York Times. 5 Sep 1997. Retrieved 9 Apr 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 "Denny's Incident: 10 Year Remembrance". Rememberdennys. 29 Mar 2007. Retrieved 9 Apr 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  31. ↑ "Students accuse Denny's of bias". Tampa Bay Times. 23 Aug 1997. Retrieved 9 Apr 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  32. ↑ "Denny's Manager Defended WS Bikers After Using Slurs Directed At 3 Black Women". Youtube. 2 Jul 2019. Retrieved 8 Apr 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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