CHICAGO – Poultry producer George’s Inc., based in Springdale, Ark., recently announced it would settle ongoing price-fixing claims with 12 restaurant companies.

The company came to a series of dismissal orders that were filed on Oct. 28 at the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. 

Plaintiffs in the case included White Castle, Golden Corral, Boston Market, Johnny Rockets, El Pollo Loco, Bojangles WZ Franchise Corp., Shamrock Foods, United Food Service, FIC Restaurants, Captain D’s and Barbeque Integrated.

George’s is one of several poultry companies involved in litigation since 2016 that alleged that executives were part of a nationwide conspiracy to fix prices and rig bids for broiler chicken products as early as 2012 until at least 2019. The allegations included companies coordinating pricing for restaurants, grocery stores and wholesale chicken buyers.

During 2021, George’s and other major processors previously approved a $104 million settlement regarding consumer class-action lawsuits. 

In late October, Gold Creek Foods announced that it was acquiring Campos Foods LLC, a Caryville, Tenn.-based subsidiary of George’s Inc., for an undisclosed amount. The plant closed on Sept. 2, 2022. 

George’s currently operates processing plants in Arkansas, Missouri and Virginia.

All recent coverage of price-fixing cases can be found on the MEAT+POULTRY website.