If you’ve ever found yourself fishing for quarters—or, more likely these days, swiping your card—for a quick snack from a vending machine, you might be in for a sweet surprise.

Thanks to a recent $6.94 million class action settlement, snackers across the country could be eligible for a payout of up to $360.

The best part? You don’t need to dig up any receipts or proof of purchase to claim your share.

Details have now been released on who qualifies and how much could be paid out.

The settlement centers around Canteen, a major vending machine operator owned by Compass Group USA.

While the company hasn’t admitted to any wrongdoing, it has agreed to pay nearly $7 million to resolve claims that customers were charged more than the price displayed on the machine when paying with a debit, credit, or prepaid card.

If you’ve ever noticed a few extra cents tacked onto your vending machine purchase, you’re not alone—and now, you might be able to get some of that money back.

Payments are calculated based on the number of eligible purchases. Image source: Kenny Eliason / Unsplash

Here’s the good news: eligibility is pretty broad. You may qualify if:

• You bought something from a vending machine owned or operated by Compass Group USA (Canteen) between 2014 and July 9, 2025.
• You paid with a debit, credit, or prepaid card.
• You were charged more than the price listed for your item.

Not every vending machine is included. You’re not eligible if:

• The machine had a “cash discount” sticker, clearly stating the displayed price was for cash purchases only.
• The machine displayed both the cash and card prices for each item.
• The machine had a digital shopping cart or screen that showed both prices.

So, if you remember seeing a sticker or a screen with both prices, this settlement probably doesn’t apply to those purchases.

Canteen’s reach is wide, and the affected machines were found in the following states:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Delaware
• Florida
• Iowa
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Massachusetts
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• North Carolina
• Nebraska
• New Jersey
• New York
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Virginia
• Washington
• Wisconsin
• West Virginia

If you’ve traveled, worked, or lived in any of these states and used a Canteen vending machine, you could be in luck.

Also read: You could be owed $5,000 in a major data breach settlement—here’s who qualifies

The payout depends on how many times you used an eligible vending machine. Here’s the breakdown:

• Up to 250 purchases: $30
• More than 250: $60
• More than 500: $90
• More than 750: $120
• More than 1,000: $150
• More than 1,250: $180
• More than 1,500: $210
• More than 1,750: $240
• More than 2,000: $270
• More than 2,250: $300
• More than 2,500: $360

No, you don’t need to remember every single snack you bought over the last decade.

The claims process is designed to be simple, and you won’t need to submit proof of purchase—though you may be asked for more information later if needed.

Also read: Check your pantry: A recent FDA alert could affect your favorite snacks

Key dates to remember:

• Opt-out or objection deadline: October 17, 2025. If you don’t want to be part of the settlement, or if you have concerns, this is your deadline.
• Final approval hearing: January 9, 2026. This is when the court will give the final green light to the settlement.

This isn’t the only class action settlement making the rounds. There are other open cases—some offering up to $2,000 or even $5,000 for eligible claimants.

If you’ve been affected by a data breach or other consumer issue, it’s worth checking to see if you qualify for additional compensation.

Read next: Major settlement could mean thousands in payouts—see if you qualify

Key Takeaways

• Americans who bought snacks from Compass Group USA (Canteen) vending machines between 2014 and July 9, 2025, using a card and were charged more than the listed price, could be eligible for payments of up to $360 from a $6.94 million class action settlement.
• No proof of purchase is required to make a claim, although more information may be requested later, and settlement payments depend on how many eligible vending machine purchases were made by each claimant.
• Vending machines displaying both cash and credit prices, or with a cash discount sticker or digital shopping cart, are excluded from the settlement—so purchases from those won't qualify.
• The deadline to object or opt out of the settlement is 17 October 2025, with the final approval hearing set for 9 January 2026.

Have you ever noticed a vending machine charging you more than expected? Do you have a favorite snack you just can’t resist? Or maybe you’ve successfully claimed money from a class action settlement before?

 

[lady4today_again]

How do I claim it?

 

[EttaRode]

Where do I go to apply for this???