If you got a notice about the Panda Express data breach, you may qualify for cash or services that help fix identity and financial damage. Eligible individuals can claim up to $5,000 for documented losses, plus a pro rata cash payment (about $100) and optional credit monitoring — file by the April 10, 2026 claim deadline to apply.
This post walks through what the settlement covers, who qualifies, and exactly how to submit a claim so you can decide quickly whether to pursue compensation. Keep reading to learn what documentation to gather, where to submit your claim, and how much you might realistically recover.
Panda Express Data Breach Settlement Details
The settlement covers a March 2023 incident and related March 2024 impacts that exposed names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers for many employees. A claims process lets affected people request cash, reimbursement for documented losses, or credit monitoring through the appointed settlement administrator.
What Happened in the March 2023 and 2024 Data Breaches
Panda Restaurant Group reported a security incident in March 2023 that potentially allowed an unauthorized third party to access employee personal information. The notifications sent to affected individuals said exposed fields included names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers; the company denies wrongdoing while the litigation proceeded.
Some communications and later filings reference March 2024 for the period when losses or costs tied to the incident could be claimed. Claimants may seek reimbursement only for unreimbursed, documented expenses incurred on or after March 7, 2024, such as card replacement fees, unauthorized charges not refunded, or travel to financial institutions.
Affected individuals include current and former employees and others who received a breach notice. Questions and claim forms are handled by the settlement administrator reachable via the settlement website and phone.
Settlement Amount and Covered Individuals
Panda Restaurant Group agreed to a $2.45 million settlement fund to resolve the class action. The fund covers three primary benefits: documented loss payments up to $5,000 per person, a pro rata cash payment estimated around $100, and a California statutory payment estimated around $125 for California residents.
Eligible class members are U.S. residents whose personal information was accessed or potentially accessed, including those mailed a notification by or on behalf of Panda. The settlement also offers two years of credit monitoring services with tri-bureau monitoring, dark web scanning, and identity theft insurance at no cost to claimants who choose that benefit.
Claims must be submitted by the deadline set in the settlement notice to receive cash or credit monitoring. The settlement administrator handles intake, verification, and distribution; the official settlement website lists claim forms, FAQs, and contact details.
Key Facts About the Class Action Lawsuit
The class action, filed as H*alliday, et al. v. Panda Restaurant Group, Inc., alleges negligence and other claims related to the security incident. Panda Restaurant Group denies liability but agreed to the $2.45 million settlement to avoid further litigation risk and expense.
The settlement contemplates attorney fees (up to one-third of the fund) and administrative costs taken from the fund before cash payments. The court scheduled a final approval hearing on April 20, 2026; class members had options to object or exclude themselves by specified deadlines, with exclusion requests postmarked by March 23, 2026.
For detailed FAQs, claim forms, and the settlement administrator’s contact information, claimants can visit the official settlement site at prgbreachsettlement.com or call the dedicated settlement hotline.
How to Claim Your Compensation and Available Benefits
Eligible class members can file a claim to seek a documented-loss payment up to $5,000, a $100 pro rata cash payment, or an additional California statutory cash payment. They can also enroll in three years of free credit monitoring and access identity-theft protection services if approved.
Types of Payments: Documented Loss, Flat Cash, and California Statutory Payment
Class members may choose a documented loss claim or take the flat cash option if they prefer simplicity. Documented-loss payments reimburse eligible out-of-pocket costs caused by the breach — examples include bank fees, fraudulent charges, and professional fees — and require receipts, bank statements, or invoices to prove amounts claimed.
The flat cash option provides a pro rata $100 payment to qualifying claimants who do not submit documentation for a larger award. California residents who meet the settlement’s California statutory criteria may also receive an additional statutory cash payment (amounts vary by claimant). Claims are handled by the settlement administrator, and claimants must follow instructions precisely to avoid denial.
Free Credit Monitoring and Identity Theft Protection
Approved class members can receive three years of free credit monitoring from a three-bureau provider. The program typically covers Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax monitoring, dark web scanning, and public records monitoring to spot misuse of personal data linked to the breach.
Identity-theft protection often includes identity-theft insurance and access to fraud resolution agents who help restore identity and resolve fraudulent charges. If claimants already paid for credit monitoring after the breach, those costs can qualify as documented losses if they submit invoices. Enrollment details and vendor information come from the settlement administrator’s portal.
Step-by-Step Claim Process and Required Documentation
To file a claim, claimants should visit the official settlement website and start the online claim form. They may need a Unique ID and PIN from the settlement notice; if they don’t have one, they can request it via the claims portal or by contacting the claims administrator at 1-866-302-7373.
For a documented-loss claim, attach evidence such as bank statements showing fraudulent charges, receipts for credit monitoring services, invoices for professional fees, or cancellation notices for fraud alerts. For the flat cash option, complete the claim form and select the $100 pro rata payment; no loss documentation is required. California statutory payment applicants must attest to residency and meet any state-specific proof requirements listed in the notice.
What to Expect After Submitting a Claim
After submission, the settlement administrator will review the claim and may request additional documentation or clarification. Claimants will receive confirmation by email or mail; keep that confirmation and any claim ID for follow-up.
If approved, payments for documented losses are issued by check up to the maximums established by the settlement. Flat cash and California statutory payments also arrive as checks. For identity-protection benefits, the administrator will provide enrollment instructions and vendor contact details. If a claim is denied, the administrator will explain the reason and whether an appeal or resubmission is permitted.
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