Quick Answer: Panda Express parent company is paying $2.45 million to settle a 2023 data breach affecting 240,000 employees. If your data was exposed, you can claim up to $5,000 for documented losses or about $100 if you don’t have receipts. The deadline to file is April 10, 2026.
Panda Restaurant Group Inc., the parent company of Panda Express, agreed to pay $2.45 million to settle a class action lawsuit over a data breach that exposed personal information belonging to about 240,000 current and former employees. If you got a notice in the mail, here’s what you need to know to file your claim.
What Happened
In or around March 2023, Panda Restaurant Group experienced a data breach that compromised employee information. The company didn’t announce publicly when it happened or what data was taken, but the settlement covers current and former employees whose information was exposed.
Here’s the thing about data breaches: companies collect your information, fail to protect it, and then act surprised when it gets stolen. Panda denies any wrongdoing in the settlement agreement, but they’re still paying out $2.45 million. That tells you everything you need to know.
What You Can Claim
The settlement offers two options:
The Daily Money Brief — Free, at 10 AM
Money you may be owed, scams to dodge, and the fine print decoded — the consumer money news that affects your wallet, every weekday.
Option 1: Documented Losses (Up to $5,000)
If the data breach caused you actual, out-of-pocket expenses, you can claim up to $5,000. This includes things like:
- Fraudulent charges that weren’t reimbursed
- Bank fees from dealing with identity theft
- Credit monitoring services you purchased
- Professional fees (attorney, accountant)
- Lost wages from time spent resolving fraud
- Other documented costs directly related to the breach
You’ll need receipts, bank statements, or other proof of these expenses.
Option 2: Flat Cash Payment (Estimated $100)
If you don’t have documented losses but were affected by the breach, you can claim a flat cash payment. The exact amount depends on how many people file claims, but it’s estimated at around $100.
Free Credit Monitoring for Everyone
All class members automatically get one year of three-bureau credit monitoring plus $1 million in identity theft insurance. You don’t have to file a claim to get this—it’s included whether you take the cash or not.
How to File Your Claim
You need two things from your settlement notice: your unique ID and your PIN. Without those, you can’t file online.
- Go to www.claimdepot.com/settlements/prg-breach-settlement
- Enter your unique ID and PIN from the notice you received in the mail
- Choose Option 1 (documented losses) or Option 2 (flat payment)
- If claiming documented losses, upload proof of expenses
- Submit your claim by April 10, 2026
If you didn’t get a notice but think you should be in the settlement, call 1-866-302-7373 or email info@PRGBreachSettlement.com.
Why This Matters
Data breaches are the new normal. Companies collect massive amounts of personal information, store it on servers they promise are secure, and then act shocked when hackers break in. The settlements are always a fraction of the real damage.
If your identity gets stolen, you don’t just lose money—you lose time. Hours on the phone with banks. Hours freezing credit reports. Hours disputing charges. Hours that you’ll never get back. The $100 flat payment doesn’t come close to covering that, but it’s better than nothing.
Don’t Ignore Settlement Notices: Most people throw these away thinking they’re junk mail. If you got a notice from Panda Restaurant Group about a data breach, that’s a real settlement with real money. File your claim.
What Happens Next
After you file your claim, the settlement administrator will review it. If you claimed documented losses, they’ll verify your expenses. Once all claims are processed, payments will be distributed.
The timeline depends on how many people file and whether anyone objects to the settlement. Expect several months before you see a check.
Protect Yourself Going Forward
One year of free credit monitoring is nice, but it’s not enough. After that year ends, you’re on your own. Here’s what you should do:
- Freeze your credit reports at all three bureaus (it’s free)
- Set up fraud alerts on your bank accounts
- Monitor your credit reports regularly (you’re entitled to free reports from each bureau once a year)
- Use strong, unique passwords for every account
- Never reuse passwords across sites
Data breaches aren’t going away. Companies have no real incentive to protect your information because when they fail, they just pay a settlement and move on. The only person who’s going to protect your data is you.
If you’re dealing with debt on top of identity theft or fraud, that’s a double crisis. Check out Find Your Path to understand all your options—not just the ones someone profits from selling you.
Bottom Line
Panda Express parent company is paying $2.45 million for a data breach that affected 240,000 employees. If you got a notice, file your claim by April 10, 2026. Take the free credit monitoring, freeze your credit reports, and stay vigilant. Data breaches are the new normal—protect yourself accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Panda Express data breach settlement?
Current and former employees of Panda Restaurant Group whose personal information was compromised in the March 2023 data breach. If you received a settlement notice in the mail with a unique ID and PIN, you’re eligible to file a claim.
How much can I get from the Panda Express settlement?
Up to $5,000 if you have documented, unreimbursed losses from the breach (like fraudulent charges, bank fees, or credit monitoring costs). If you don’t have receipts, you can claim a flat cash payment estimated at around $100. All class members also get one year of free three-bureau credit monitoring and $1 million identity theft insurance.
When is the deadline to file a claim?
April 10, 2026. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to claim any cash payment from the settlement.
What if I didn’t receive a settlement notice?
Contact the settlement administrator at 1-866-302-7373 or email info@PRGBreachSettlement.com to confirm whether you’re part of the class and request claim information.
Do I have to accept the settlement?
No. If you want to sue Panda Restaurant Group on your own, you can exclude yourself from the settlement. But realistically, $5,000 is probably more than you’d recover in individual litigation after paying attorney fees. Most people are better off taking the settlement.
Sources: The Mirror, ClaimDepot Settlement Portal, Top Class Actions
Dealing With Debt? Understanding your options is the first step. See how all your debt relief options compare — including ones most sites won’t tell you about. The Find Your Path quiz gives a recommendation based on your actual numbers, and the Scam-O-Meter checks any company’s complaint history before you sign. Federal Reserve research shows bankruptcy filers recover faster than those who don’t file.
Claiming money you are owed is one good day. What you do over the following year is what actually changes your position.
In the latest issue (Sep 10): Your phone company is supposed to know who’s handing it those scam calls. Some of them don’t bother.
I write Your Money Actually most weekdays — what I am watching in debt and money, and the small decisions that compound. It is free, I sell nothing, and I take no money from any company I write about.
