Applebee’s Franchisee Hit with Multiple Class-Action Lawsuits Over April Data Breach On August 25, 2026, the largest franchisee of Applebee’s faced at least eight proposed class-action lawsuits following an April data breach that compromised the personal and health information of tens of thousands of employees nationwide. The complaints were filed in federal courts in California and Ohio, alleging negligence in safeguarding sensitive data. The breach exposed employee records, including health-related details, raising concerns over potential identity theft and privacy violations. The lawsuits seek damages and accountability for affected individuals, marking a significant legal challenge for the franchisee amid growing scrutiny of corporate data security practices. The incident underscores the legal and financial risks companies face when failing to protect employee and customer data. Further developments in the cases are expected as litigation progresses.

The California Office of the Attorney General reported a data breach involving Apple American Group LLC on March 16, 2015. The breach occurred on March 3, 2015, when a portable USB flash drive containing employee W-2 information was lost, affecting an unspecified number of individuals. The compromised information included names, addresses, Social Security numbers, wages, and tax information.