A motion to certify a class action has been filed against cinema chains "Yes Planet" and "Rav-Chen," alleging systematic consumer deception at their concession stands. The lawsuit centers on products that combine popcorn with popular toppings such as nachos or Bamba. According to the motion, filed by Orit Cohen via Attorney Salah Diwani, customers purchase these items expecting a significant portion of toppings, as depicted in digital menus and observed in items sold to other patrons, but receive a notably smaller quantity in practice.
The core claim focuses on the use of an internal cardboard divider within the food packaging. It is alleged that the divider is installed to limit the volume of toppings placed in the container, ensuring that most of the container is filled with lower-cost popcorn. The plaintiff claims that while purchasing the products for her nephews, she noticed the toppings were depleted very quickly, which led her to discover the divider masking the actual ratio of the ingredients.
Based on the plaintiff's calculations, the ratio in the purchased products was merely one-eighth topping to seven-eighths popcorn, while in the "Popcorn & Frozen Bamba" product, the ratio reached only thirteen parts topping out of the entire package. Attorney Diwani emphasizes in the motion that the discrepancy in quantities carries significant economic implications, as the price of the toppings is substantially higher than that of popcorn, with the products costing 55 NIS each.
The plaintiff claims that this conduct constitutes a violation of the Consumer Protection Law, especially considering that a major target audience of cinema chains is minors, who are exposed to this deception during their leisure time. The motion also notes that the plaintiff is requesting the court to grant remedies including restitution and compensation for affected customers, alongside ordering the chains to change the way they market and serve products to the general public.
It should be noted that this is a motion to certify a class action only, and the plaintiff's claims have not yet been adjudicated by the court. This proceeding joins a wave of similar lawsuits in the industry, including ongoing legal action against the "Cinema City" chain regarding similar allegations of deceptive practices at cinema concession stands. As of now, no judicial ruling has been made on the parties' claims.