Court: United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
In re: Redner’s Markets, Inc. v. Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc., et al., Case No.: 24-cv-11801
Leadership Position: Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee
WBE and co-counsel filed this federal antitrust class action against major frozen potato product manufacturers Lamb Weston, McCain Foods, J.R. Simplot, and Cavendish Farms, alleging that Defendants control over 97% of the $68 billion U.S. frozen potato product market and conspired to fix prices on items such as frozen French fries, hash browns, and tater tots.
According to the complaint, this price-fixing scheme began in 2021 and continues today. Defendants allegedly coordinated “lockstep” price hikes, resulting in a 47% increase in frozen potato product prices from July 2022 to July 2024, despite falling input costs. This conduct, the complaint asserts, has artificially inflated prices and allowed Defendants to achieve unprecedented profit margins. Industry insiders and stock analysts have noted the unusual and synchronized nature of these price increases, with Defendants allegedly using tactics such as non-digital communications to conceal evidence of collusion.
The lawsuit identifies structural market characteristics that facilitated this conspiracy, including high market concentration, inelastic demand for frozen potato products, significant barriers to entry, and the commoditized nature of these products. Furthermore, Defendants allegedly coordinated through trade associations, co-packing agreements, and data-sharing platforms like PotatoTrac, enabling them to monitor each other’s market positions and discourage competitive pricing.
Plaintiffs seek treble damages under the Sherman Act and Clayton Act for the alleged antitrust violations. The suit also requests injunctive relief to halt the collusion, restore competitive pricing, and compensate direct purchasers affected by the overcharges.
On Thursday, February 13, 2025, WBE was appointed to the Direct Purchaser Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee. Direct Purchaser Plaintiffs’ Consolidated Complaint was filed on October 6, 2025.
To read a copy of the current complaint, click here.