Woman wanted Starbucks discs, settles for $250

OKEMOS, Mich. — A Michigan woman who wanted homebrewed Starbucks coffee — described by her attorney as “gold” — will accept $250 to end a lawsuit over the company’s decision to stop making discs for a specific single-serve machine.

Pam Montgomery of Okemos said she bought a Tassimo brewer by Kraft Foods because Starbucks supplied coffee discs. But Starbucks ended its deal with Kraft and came up with its own machine. It also makes pods for Keurig machines.

The Grand Rapids Press reports Montgomery recently settled her lawsuit for $250 after more than two years of litigation against Kraft and Starbucks in federal court.

U.S. District Judge Gordon Quist declined to make it a class-action case.

Tassimo can make other coffees. But attorney Timothy McCarthy Jr. said Montgomery wanted what she paid for: a machine to brew Starbucks coffee. It’s “gold,” he said.

Kraft said the settlement was for a “modest amount.” Starbucks said it looks forward to “resolving this matter.”

In a court filing, Starbucks attorney Ed Perdue said the coffee giant never promised Tassimo discs would be made forever.

“Business arrangements end, and products are discontinued all the time,” he said.

The judge still must determine how much McCarthy will collect in legal fees. He’s seeking $175,000.