HelloFresh, a meal kit company, has agreed to settle a lawsuit about how it managed some of its auto-renewing subscriptions by paying $7.5 million. Customers said they were billed for HelloFresh deliveries without their knowledge or consent, especially for their initial shipment, and they never received their money back. HelloFresh chose to settle the case rather than carry on the legal battle. Although the company has not acknowledged any kind of mistake, it has agreed to set up a fund to pay back some California customers who claim they were wrongfully charged.
This kind of case is often referred to as a class action, which brings together many individuals with similar complaints into a single lawsuit. The settlement stipulates specific instructions about who is eligible for reimbursement and how much.
Who can get money back from the HelloFresh settlement?
Not every HelloFresh customer will receive the settlement. It only applies to a specific group of people who fulfil each of the following conditions:
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They were California residents.
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Between January 1, 2019, and August 18, 2025, they were signed up for a HelloFresh automatic renewal product subscription.
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Without their knowledge or consent, they were billed for their initial shipment.
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After that initial shipment, they cancelled their subscription.
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They were never refunded for those expenses.
A customer cannot be eligible under the settlement guidelines if they continued to receive boxes after the initial shipment or if they ultimately received a complete refund.
According to the lawsuit, HelloFresh failed to provide a clear explanation of the conditions of its automatic renewal subscriptions. Some clients claim that as a result, they paid for renewals without realizing they would be billed. The lawsuit states that this was against California’s Automatic Renewal Law, which is designed to protect consumers when businesses automatically renew memberships or subscriptions.
As previously pointed out, HelloFresh denies any illegal activity, but the business decided to reach a settlement rather than assume the risk and expense of an ongoing lawsuit.
What does the settlement offer?
Customers who qualify may request a cash refund under the settlement. According to the article, “a cash refund for all amounts they paid to HelloFresh before Aug. 18, 2025, subject to any pro rata deductions required under the Final Judgment and Injunction.” is available to class members.
That means:
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The beginning point is the total amount of money that a qualified individual paid HelloFresh before August 18, 2025.
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However, depending on how many people file claims and how the court divides the $7.5 million fund, each person’s final payout may be reduced (a process known as “pro rata deductions”).
The settlement includes an important exception: “Individuals who already received a full refund of all amounts charged before the Effective Date of Judgment (Aug. 14, 2025) are not considered eligible recipients.”
Therefore, a customer cannot receive another refund from this settlement if they received all of their money back for those charges before August 14, 2025.
Members of the eligible class have to submit a valid claim form in order get any money before December 17, 2025.
What this means for HelloFresh customers
Some California consumers see this settlement as an opportunity to get their money back because they believe they should never have been charged in the first place.
However, the settlement also highlights how important it is to pay attention to subscription details. Auto-renew systems are implemented by many services, and these continue to charge until you cancel. This class action works as a reminder to:
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Always verify if a service is renewed automatically.
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Read carefully what happens after a “trial” or first order.
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Make sure you know how to cancel it, if you decide not to continue.
Ultimately, the HelloFresh lawsuit is an obvious illustration of why it’s important to always read the small print no matter the end product.