Businesses That Refuse Service Or Benefits to LEOs

This thread is being started in response to requests from the community to identify businesses that have refused to serve police officers. In today's racially charged climate involving citizens and police, this action by some businesses is seen by many as a nail in the coffin of public relations. It should be pointed out that if the business responds by swiftly taking action to correct the issue (i.e. firing the employee), it may not be the company's fault and just that of an isolated worker. Also, please be careful to post only FACTUAL occurrences within this thread, as there should be no undue damage to anyone's (or any business's) reputation based on something they did not do. Please include links to news stories in order to support your post when possible.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/09/16...lice-officers/

FOX NEWS

Whataburger fires employee for refusing to serve police officers
Published September 16, 2015
FoxNews.com

A Texas Whataburger employee was fired Wednesday for refusing to serve two police officers in what the company is describing as an appalling incident.

Officers Michael Magovern and Cameron Beckham were working off-duty security at a construction site on I-35 early Wednesday morning when they decided to stop at the restaurant in Lewisville, FOX 26 reports.

Magovern said before he could even place his order, the man behind the counter told him “We don’t serve police officers.”

The two officers decided to leave and went and got food at Dairy Queen instead.

"We were appalled to hear of an employee refusing service to two officers, as we have proudly served first responders across our system for decades,” Whataburger said in a statement Wednesday. “As soon as we heard of this isolated incident, we began our own internal investigation overnight. The employee that refused service is no longer employed with Whataburger. We've also invited the officers back today so we can apologize in person and make this right."

Magovern told Fox 26 that in “17 years as a firefighter and now 13 years as a police officer this is the first time this has ever happened to me.”

http://www.ijreview.com/2015/09/4247...ing-newsletter

Starbucks Denies a Police Officer the Use of Its Restroom and the Reason Why is Causing Quite a Stir

By Prudence Hill

If you’ve ever found yourself desperately in need of a restroom, unable to use the one at the closest store because you’re not a customer, you might feel for one Philadelphia police officer.

As Breitbart reports, Sergeant Leighthardt of the Philadelphia police recounted the story of an unnamed officer who was looking for a bathroom when he stopped at a Starbucks and asked the barista if he could use the one there. He was turned away because he was not a paying customer and directed to a bathroom down the street. However, the officer was so incensed by the treatment he received that he told his sergeant, who posted about it on Facebook:

https://fbcdn-photos-g-a.akamaihd.ne...44198585_o.jpg

Joe Leighthardt to ‎Starbucks
September 11 at 8:08pm

"Thought you world like to know this happened at your 1301 Chestnut St in Philadelphia. In a time when police are being made the enemy, Your clerk pulls this nonsense. And might I point out, this store is a frequent caller to police for some sort of service."

Leighthardt also pointed out that the Starbucks store in question has often called for police help in dealing with loiterers outside the store and similar issues.

Starbucks was quick to apologize for the incident and responded to Leighthardt’s post almost immediately.

http://static.liftbump.com/wp-conten...0.22.11-AM.jpg

Many of those who read Leighthardt’s post sympathized or offered up the bathroom in their own establishment for his or other officers’ use.

http://static.liftbump.com/wp-conten...0.20.41-AM.jpg

However, not everyone who commented had the same perspective. Some took issue with the officer’s conclusions about the barista’s politics.

http://static.liftbump.com/wp-conten...0.26.51-AM.jpg

Others think politics have nothing to do with it.

http://static.liftbump.com/wp-conten...0.26.28-AM.jpg

And a few think that it’s unfair to come down on the barista when she was just following the rules.

http://static.liftbump.com/wp-conten...0.24.29-AM.jpg

Joe Leighthardt clarified his situation and his frustration with this Starbucks specifically:

http://static.liftbump.com/wp-conten...0.26.11-AM.jpg

What’s your take? Was the barista wrong for not letting him use the restroom or was the officer not entitled to do so since he was not a paying customer? Or does no one come out of this “brew-ha-ha” smelling all that sweet?

http://www.click2houston.com/news/de...-katy/36212962


Deputy says he was disrespected at McDonald's in Katy
Author: Jonathan Martinez, Anchor/Reporter, jmartinez@kprc.com
Published On: Nov 02 2015 05:39:57 PM CST Updated On: Nov 03 2015 10:31:09 AM CST

KATY, Texas -

A sergeant with the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office is speaking out after a recent experience at a McDonald's.

"I've been in law enforcement for 16 years and very rarely have ever had these types of issues," Sgt. Michael Ross said.

He stopped by just to grab a bite at a McDonald's in Katy.

But Ross never expected what would come with his meal.

"I felt really disrespected and disheartened," Ross said.

Ross said while topping off his drink and leaving, an employee behind the counter yelled out loud enough for everyone in the restaurant to hear.

"He made the statement and yelled it out, '(Expletive) the police.' It was very shocking and offensive," Ross said.

Ross said he talked with another employee, who didn't seem too bothered.

So, he also took to Facebook and posted his story, which has since been liked and shared thousands of times.

Several customers were just as upset about the side of disrespect.

"The obscenity of it, that's just terrible," customer Kevin Foiles said.

"I think that's totally inappropriate," customer Ahmed Elawamry said. "These kind of words shouldn't be used in public where old people and children are."

The owner of the McDonald's said this was an isolated incident and the appropriate action is being taken.

"We've issued an apology to Sgt. Ross, and we feel horrible about the events that happened," owner and operator David Glasser said. "We've taken swift action with the employee."

Ross said he wants others to know about what happened and remind folks law enforcement officers are the good guys, despite his very upsetting experience.

"You don't want those type of comments spoken in front of children," Ross said. "It sends the wrong message."

Yes, because being occasionally disrespected by some clerk is comparable to the sporadic abuse of power being meted out by those above the law.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Others think politics have nothing to do with it.

http://static.liftbump.com/wp-conten...0.26.28-AM.jpg

And a few think that it’s unfair to come down on the barista when she was just following the rules.

http://static.liftbump.com/wp-conten...0.24.29-AM.jpg

Joe Leighthardt clarified his situation and his frustration with this Starbucks specifically:

http://static.liftbump.com/wp-conten...0.26.11-AM.jpg

What’s your take? Was the barista wrong for not letting him use the restroom or was the officer not entitled to do so since he was not a paying customer? Or does no one come out of this “brew-ha-ha” smelling all that sweet?

---

I don't know if it made any difference he was a police officer or a citizen but I do want to say if the police want respect from the citizens then they need to give respect. The number of police brutalities and disregard for citizens rights in this country has become appalling. I say that from personal experience as a former LEO and a citizen. I am not a crackhead or criminal but I have seen and been subject to totally unnecessary disrespectful and abusive behavior by police officers. I would have been kicked off the force when I was an officer if I treated citizens the way officers do now days. Not all officers are unfit but the one's that are which are many need to be called out by their fellow officers and not protected. If you lie for, turn your head or not get involved w/ disrespectful and abusive situations then you are just as guilty. There is a movement going on turning the tides against this behavior. I don't know when this became acceptable behavior but it is not. People need to keep on videoing bad police behavior and get the bad apples out. I don't want to hear about how dangerous it is. That is no excuse to abuse people. You signed on to the job and you know the dangers but it doesn't give you rights to abuse. Get a clue or get out of policing if you can't contain yourself.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Yes, because being occasionally disrespected by some clerk is comparable to the sporadic abuse of power being meted out by those above the law.

---

This is a real problem in this country. I think if police want respect it is a two way street. The growing chorus of intolerance from the public should be a message to the police. We don't live in a police state and the police need to police their own from abuses. It has become intolerable.

http://www.leoaffairs.com/featured/s...-social-media/

Sheriff’s deputy fired after posting about mistreatment at McDonald’s on social media

November 19, 2015

A longtime East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputy has been fired over an incident with a McDonald’s employee a few months ago.

On Sept. 9, 2015 Lt. Tracy Baker, was going through the drive-thru at McDonald’s in Central, when he claims several cars in the other drive-thru lane were moving forward, but he was not.

When he asked what was going on, he was told they were busy. He responded: “Well, the other line doesn’t seem to be busy.”

In uniform at the time – Baker insists he was not argumentative at the window, where the manager gave him his food. He then saw – standing behind the manager – an African American woman who allegedly said under her breath: “F—ing a–hole cop” and “Black lives matter too.”

Baker complained to the store’s district and regional managers – but to no avail.

A little over a week after the incident, Baker took to Facebook to spread the word about his experience because- in his words -it was a “matter of officer safety.” Baker’s profile picture contained an image of the McDonald’s logo with the words, “McDonald’s does not back the blue.”

He got a huge response .. but on November 4th, he was fired after 26 years with the sheriff’s office.

Baker was apparently terminated because of “conduct unbecoming.” He also allegedly lied to internal affairs, telling them his wife created the post while he was at work, a claim Baker still stands by.

Last Thursday, authorities emailed Baker a restraining order banning him from posting any more statements about McDonald’s on social media. Baker dismissed the order saying he was never served personally, and the email means nothing to him.

East Baton Rouge Sheriff Sid Gautreaux declined to comment on the report. Baker told WAFB that in his 26 years, he never had a write-up or any disciplinary actions.

When McDonald’s completed its investigation into the incident, they found Baker’s claims to be false. Video shows their employee did nothing wrong. McDonald’s put out a statement saying it has a long history backing the blue, and police officers are loyal customers and partners in the community.

http://www.leoaffairs.com/news/dairy...officers-food/

Dairy Queen employee with herpes arrested after spitting in officer’s food

December 15, 2015

A Dairy Queen employee- who admitted to having several diseases, including Herpes -is accused of spitting in a police officer’s food, before serving it up.

The incident happened Sunday afternoon at a Baton Rouge Dairy Queen.

When a Lieutenant with the Baton Rouge Police Department got his order, he says he noticed a clear substance, which resembled saliva, on his burger.

The manager later reviewed footage from store cameras, where the suspect was seen grabbing the hamburger bun off of the rack and attempting to back out of view of the cameras, WAFB reports.

Police say when the suspect believed he was out of the camera’s view– he lifted the burger to his mouth for a brief moment, returned to the hamburger making station, placed the bun on the burger, and wrapped it up.

The Dairy Queen worker, 21-year-old Elijah Johnson, was “immediately terminated” — a company spokesman said.

Johnson reportedly gave police a fake name and date of birth, at first. When discovering his true identity, officers found that Johnson had an outstanding warrant through the Baton Rouge Constables Office.

Johnson is being held on $4,000 bond. He’s charged with “mingling harmful substances and resisting an officer.”

I am new to this forum and decided to become a part of this community since I hope to be in the field. I am a graduate student finishing up my masters in Criminal Justice with a Specialization in Legal Studies. I have a huge research paper coming up and do not have enough data. I was hoping some of you could help by completing my survey. I have attached a preview of the survey so you know what type of questions will be asked when you take the survey.

The purpose of this survey is to gather information regarding Corrections Issues and Trends from criminal justice professionals working in correctional facilities. With the collected data, I will compare textbook theory with current best practices for my research project paper. Please answer the confidential questions as honestly as possible. Thank you! I can email you the word and/or PDF file or you can take the quiz through surveymonkey. Thank you for helping a student!


https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WQ7HGXR

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sysop

This thread is being started in response to requests from the community to identify businesses that have refused to serve police officers. In today's racially charged climate involving citizens and police, this action by some businesses is seen by many as a nail in the coffin of public relations. It should be pointed out that if the business responds by swiftly taking action to correct the issue (i.e. firing the employee), it may not be the company's fault and just that of an isolated worker. Also, please be careful to post only FACTUAL occurrences within this thread, as there should be no undue damage to anyone's (or any business's) reputation based on something they did not do. Please include links to news stories in order to support your post when possible.

---

its still a free country.

http://wrbl.com/2016/04/20/wendys-wo...r-co-deputies/

Wendy’s worker allegedly makes derogatory remarks to Barbour Co. deputies
By Brennan Reh Published: April 20, 2016, 7:51 pm Updated: April 21, 2016, 12:03 pm

EUFAULA, Ala. – A local law enforcement community is angry after a deputy claims a restaurant worker made an offensive remark about them in Eufaula.

Barbour County Sheriff’s Deputy Wesley Willson went to Wendy’s for lunch Tuesday afternoon. He says he was waiting in line while another deputy was in the bathroom. While he was standing in line, Willson claims one Wendy’s employee told another employee she hated all the cops being in there.

“So I continued waiting in line and I asked her to repeat what she said and she said that she didn’t say anything and did she want to take my order and I told her at that point that she was not going to take my order and I left,” Deputy Willson explained.

Barbour County Sheriff Leroy Upshaw feels the citizens and law enforcement in Eufaula need to know what happened.

“I understand that one employee does not represent the whole company. However, when one of my officers does something I am responsible as Sheriff so, they need to look into the situation,” Sheriff Upshaw said.

The director of management services for the Eufaula Wendy’s says they are investigating exactly what happened. He tells News 3 Wendy’s is very supportive of law enforcement and would not approve of any derogatory comments made about them, if they were indeed made.

However, Willson won’t be returning to Wendy’s anytime soon.

“It’s the only thing I can have control over, where I spend my money at, and they won’t get a dime from me anymore,” Deputy Willson said.

Officers from the Eufaula Police Department and Clayton Police Department are standing behind the Barbour County Sheriff Deputies.

http://www.policeone.com/patrol-issu...is-inaccurate/

Police: Officer denied service at SC deli is 'inaccurate'
The miscommunication led to hundreds of people calling for the firing of the employee

Apr 20, 2016

By PoliceOne Staff

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. — Mount Pleasant police have spoken out about a “miscommunication” that led to community members advocating for the firing of a deli employee, WCIV reported.

Police found a report of an officer being denied service at a Publix Super Market deli April 12 to be inaccurate.

A Facebook post went into detail about the allegations: “The African American deli clerk stated he would not make the officer a sub because he 'doesn't serve cops.' The officer then went to speak with the customer service manager on duty, who refused to talk to him, citing that the 'store was busy.’”

Community members advocated for the firing of the employee. However, after investigating the situation, the deli released a statement on their Facebook about the miscommunication.

“We have conducted a thorough investigation and found that at no time were services refused to any customers," Publix spokeswoman Kim Reynolds told the news site.

Police spoke to the officer involved and found the company’s statements to be true.

“With all of the information gathered, we feel that this was a case of miscommunication that created a misunderstanding," department officials said on Facebook. "We do not believe there was any malicious intent on the part of Publix or their employee. Our officer was provided service by another employee before he left the store.”

Commenters on the Facebook post seemed forgiving of the incident.

“We are all humans and no one is perfect too,” Matthew Roberts wrote. “I have nothing but respect for all police officers and I love Publixs [sic] too.”

http://q13fox.com/2016/07/14/sheriff...-to-eat-there/

Restaurant owner says it’s all a misunderstanding, cops can eat at his place — and for free Monday

Posted 3:58 PM, July 14, 2016, by Q13 FOX News Staff, Updated at 06:45am, July 15, 2016

SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Wash. -- The owner of the Lucky Teriyaki broke down in tears Thursday night and said cops are welcome at his restaurant -- will even get free meals on Monday -- after a public backlash to a report by the Skagit County sheriff said the man had told deputies that law enforcement officers were no longer welcome at his establishment.

The man's son said it had all been a misunderstanding and he apologized for the incident.

The incident came to light on Thursday when Skagit County Sheriff Will Reichardt posted a message on his Facebook page that he was left "speechless" after learning that the owner of the teriyaki restaurant asked his deputies not to return to eat there because "other customers didn't like law enforcement there."

Reichardt said his chief deputy spoke to the owner of Lucky Teriyaki in Sedo-Woolley later to confirm what he had heard.

"The owner not only repeated the request but asked that we spread the word to other law enforcement that they were no longer welcome either."

Here is the full statement posted on Facebook by Reichardt:

"I am not often speechless but today I was advised of an incident at the Lucky Teriyaki restaurant in Sedro-Woolley that completely took me by surprise. Particularly on the heels of the United We Stand by our Law Enforcement event that was such an overpowering show of appreciation for our deputies and officers serving Skagit County.

"This afternoon 4 Skagit County Sheriff’s office deputies were finishing up lunch at Lucky’s. As 2 deputies went up to pay they were informed by by the owner that he requested they not eat there anymore. They were told that other customers didn’t like law enforcement there. My chief deputy spoke to the owner to confirm this because he simply could not believe what he was hearing. The owner not only repeated the request but asked that we spread the word to other law enforcement that they were no longer welcome either.

"I understand a business owner has a right to refuse service if he wants to…….I also understand that as customers we all have the right to find some other restaurant to take our lunch break in."

It's not known how many law enforcement officers will return to eat lunch at the restaurant.

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/rep...xbys/397082738

Deputies say they were heckled at Shelby Zaxby's; franchise owner speaks out

by: Ken Lemon Updated: Jul 13, 2016 - 9:38 AM

SHELBY, N.C. —

The owner of a Shelby Zaxby's is speaking out after complaints his employees mistreated two local deputies.

He wants to meet one-on-one with the sheriff about what happened as upset customers said they won’t return to the restaurant on East Dixon Boulevard until the incident is addressed.

The owner of the franchise said it took a long time to build a good relationship with the community and he wants to keep that good reputation, both with the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office and with the people in the community.

"Me, my team, my family, all take this incident extremely seriously," franchise owner Neil Glezen said.

He has been at the Zaxby's almost around the clock since the incident, which went viral on Facebook.

Two Cleveland County deputies went to the restaurant for lunch Sunday and they were heckled by employees in the kitchen, according to a post by one of those deputies.

The post said their food was coated with sauce so spicy it burned to the touch.

"We are going to do whatever we have to do to improve that relationship going forward," Glezen said.

He said they are finishing an internal investigation, but hasn't said what happened to the employees.

"If it did happen, then the employees need to be fired on the spot," resident Tony Cleveland said.

Cleveland believes the employees were angry over police shooting deaths last week in Louisiana and Minnesota.

"Stuff that's happened 100 miles away has nothing to do with your immediate community," Cleveland said.

The post on Facebook frustrated regular Zaxby's customer Kim McDaniels.

"I'm not happy with the behavior of the young adults that were in the kitchen slandering our local law enforcement," McDaniels said.

She refused to eat at Zaxby's Tuesday.

The Sheriff’s Office did not return calls from Channel 9 Tuesday.

Zaxby’s statement:

“The Zaxby’s located at 2005 E. Dixon Blvd., Shelby, N.C. is independently owned and operated by a franchisee. It is our goal to always provide every guest with exceptional service.

Upon notification of this incident we launched an internal investigation with our management team and are working quickly to resolve this issue.”

Capt. Joel Shores took down his original Facebook post late Monday night.

He posted another one that read, "We have made contact with the appropriate folks at Zaxby's. They have told us it will be fully investigated and are extremely sorry that this occurred. They were very apologetic. We are not going to judge an entire franchise based on a couple employees. That is what is happening to us in law enforcement and we are above that! Zaxby's can not be judged on a few bad apples. Just pray for our nation."

http://www.wtvm.com/story/32463537/a...e-at-taco-bell

Taco Bell employee fired after denying service to AL sheriff deputies
Published: Sunday, July 17th 2016, 11:59 am EDT

Updated: Sunday, July 17th 2016, 5:48 pm EDT
By Tanita Gaither, Digital Content Director
By Elizabeth White, East Alabama Bureau Chief

LEE COUNTY, AL (WTVM) – A Phenix City Taco Bell employee has been fired for allegedly refusing service to two Lee County Sheriff's deputies, the chain's corporate spokesperson said.

The termination comes after an east Alabama woman, whose husband is a Lee County Sheriff’s deputy, says he and another deputy were allegedly refused service by a restaurant’s employee.

Tammy Bush Mayo posted to Facebook on Saturday that her husband and a colleague, both dressed in their uniforms, were treated rudely at the Taco Bell located at 2059 Hwy. 280 in Phenix City on July 16.

Mayo took to Facebook to share her husband’s story:

My husband is a Deputy Sheriff in Lee County, Alabama and tonight a Deputy on his shift went into Taco Bell in Phenix City, AL and was told that they don't serve cops. A lady waiting for her food spoke up to say that she was about to ask for a refund because she didn't want to eat somewhere with a cop.

This really disturbs me that people have started treating law enforcement professionals in this manner when these same law enforcement professionals put their lives on the line everyday to protect all people, including this woman with a very bad attitude at Taco Bell. We're going to research this further but if this is what Taco Bell allows to happen, they have lost my business and I hope others of you will do the same.

Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones confirmed the incident with multiple sources on his staff. Jones says at 9:40 p.m. on Saturday, two LCSO deputies were told by a counter cashier they would not serve law enforcement and needed to leave.

Lee said the deputies asked if she was kidding and the cashier allegedly responded: "No, I'm not serving you." A store customer in store commented, allegedly saying was glad the cashier wasn't serving them because she would not eat there if they had been served.

Jones released a released a statement, saying:

I'm very disappointed that simply because they were uniformed law enforcement officers that our deputies were treated in such negative fashion. We pride ourselves in giving people basic respect and only ask the same in return.

I am inclined to believe that this was the attitude of one employee and not the policy of the management. The fair thing is to give them an opportunity to respond.

We won't base our opinion of Taco Bell on one employee's negative action any more than the general public should base their opinion of law enforcement on the negative action of one officer.

Sheriff Jones released a second statement on Sunday afternoon:

Corporate management has contacted the sheriff's office in regard to the incident at their store in Phenix City last night. We were assured that they are taking this matter seriously and are conducting an investigation into the situation. They further related that they in no form or fashion endorse any negative actions toward law enforcement officers and as a company are very supportive of all public safety officers. I appreciate the corporate level response and actions to address this unfortunate occurrence.

Sheriff Jones went on to say:

"No knowledge on employee or status. I would like to include that even though the incident last night is disturbing, it is insignificant in light of the attack on law enforcement in Baton Rouge. Our thoughts are with the families of the law officers who lost their lives in the service of their community, their fellow law enforcement brothers and sisters, the city of Baton Rouge and the state of Louisiana."

The store's district manager Robert Chauvin said that this was an isolated incident and the employee's actions were against company policy.

Taco Bell spokesperson Laura Nedbal issued the following statement to News Leader 9, stating:

Taco Bell and Tacala, the franchise owner of the Phenix City Taco Bell, in no way endorse this sentiment. We are deeply appreciative of the men and women who have taken the oath to serve and protect our communities. Our franchisee has launched an investigation into this matter and will take appropriate action. Tacala will be reaching out directly to Deputy Sheriff Mayo and his wife Tammy Bush Mayo.

The second statement from Nedbal confirms the termination, saying:

In the course of the investigation at the Taco Bell in Phenix City, Tacala, the franchise owner of that location, has terminated the employee who refused service to two Lee County Deputies on July 16th. Tacala has contacted the Lee County Sheriff’s Department to apologize directly to the two Deputies and assure them of their ongoing support of law enforcement.

http://fortune.com/2016/07/28/law-en...efuse-service/

3 More Fast Food Workers Got Fired For Refusing to Serve Law Enforcement

by Michal Addady
@michal_addady
July 28, 2016, 5:36 PM EDT

A Texas McDonald’s took swift action.

It seems as if denying service to law enforcement officers is becoming a bit of a trend in the fast food industry.

A McDonald’s employee was fired this week after refusing to serve a police officer. KHOU was the first to report the incident, which occurred at a location in Brenham, Texas. The off duty police officer was with his family at the time. When a second employee saw what was going on, the worker interfered and served the officer.

When McDonald’s became aware of the incident, the first employee was promptly terminated. In a statement posted to Facebook, the Brenham Police Department stressed that this was “the exception rather than the rule.” “We’re not judging McDonald’s and their employees based on the action of this one worker,” Police Chief Craig Goodman told KHOU. “Just like we ask the community and the country to not judge our police officers because other officers make bad decisions.”

“At our restaurants, we proudly support police officers and all divisions of first responders. We are grateful for the chief of police, and the force, for understanding that this was an isolated incident,” McDonald’s told Fortune in a statement. “All customers, including local law enforcement officers who protect and serve our communities, are always welcome at our restaurants.”

A similar incident occurred at another fast food chain, Noodles & Company, in Alexandria, Virginia where WJLA reports two employees were fired on Thursday for refusing to serve a local police officer. “Discrimination of any kind is never tolerated at Noodles & Company,” the chain told Fortune in a statement. “The views and actions of these individuals are in no way reflective of the Company or team at our Alexandria location.”

This kind of thing appears to be a trend lately. Fortune reported last week that an employee at a Taco Bell location in Alabama was fired for the same reason. She told two sheriff’s deputies who were trying to order food, “We don’t serve law enforcement, and you need to leave.”

There are, however, people on the opposite end showing their support for authorities through food. Casual dining chain Shoney’s offered free meals on Wednesday to law enforcement officers as a “tangible and heartfelt” show of gratitude.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/trending-no...rant/402028018

Deputies told police aren't welcome in Washington restaurant
by: KIRO - Seattle Updated: Jul 15, 2016 - 6:40 AM

SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Wash. —
A Washington teriyaki restaurant has become the target of boycotts and threats after the Skagit County sheriff wrote a Facebook post saying his deputies -- and other law enforcement officers -- were asked not to eat there.

The father and son who own Lucky Teriyaki insist the whole issue is the result of a very big misunderstanding due to poor English skills. Sheriff Will Reichardt wrote in a Facebook post Thursday that the situation completely took him by surprise.

"My chief deputy spoke to the owner to confirm this because he simply could not believe what he was hearing," Reichardt wrote. "The owner not only repeated the request but asked that we spread the word to other law enforcement that they were no longer welcome either."

The restaurant owner's family, who speak Mandarin, told KIRO reporter Natasha Chen that while the Skagit County deputies were eating lunch in the restaurant Thursday, a group nearby spilled soup and their drinks and seemed agitated and argumentative.

The owner's son said he told the deputies in very broken English that they made the other customers "uncomfortable."

"Police not welcome here," is how they now believe it was received by the deputies.

Chen said she explained to the man and his son that the chief deputy followed up with a phone call.

"Didn't you understand that they were giving you a chance to straighten this out?" Chen asked in Mandarin.

The son says he didn't understand the questions, and he may have just answered, "Yeah," to the chief deputy's inquiries, not grasping the gravity of what was about to happen.

Within minutes of Reichardt's post, Facebook blew up with "Boycott Lucky Teriyaki" and more. Thousands left comments on Lucky Teriyaki's Facebook page and another calling for a boycott, expressing outrage.

Reichardt was not available for comment Thursday evening. The restaurant owners told KIRO they welcome officers and they're offering free food for all law enforcement officers Monday.

"We want them to come," he said.

http://www.policeone.com/off-duty/ar...-at-Taco-Bell/

Ky. officers refused service at Taco Bell
A Taco Bell employee allegedly told others he wasn’t going to take the officers’ orders

Aug 24, 2016

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metro Police officers stopped in a local Taco Bell for lunch, but were refused service, according to WHAS.

FOP President Dave Mutchler said in a statement that the employee behind the counter told the other employees he wasn’t going to take the officers’ orders.

“Eventually, someone emerged to take the order but by then, the officers heard conversations among other employees regarding ‘messing’ with their order so they decided to not eat there at all,” the statement read.

Taco Bell responded with a statement saying that they “in no way endorse this sentiment” and they are “deeply appreciative of the men and women who have taken the oath to serve and protect our communities.”

An investigation has been launched and the business is taking appropriate action.

http://www.leoaffairs.com/news/flori...mployee-fired/

“Hell no, I’m not serving them!” Florida officers refused service at Tropical Smoothie Café

Lake Alfred Police Officer Adam Leatherberry and another officer went to get food Sunday at Tropical Smoothie Café in downtown Winter Haven, Florida.

One of the staff members, later identified as Jake Hadden, looked at them and said, “hell no!” and then told another worker that “I’m not serving them, you can… it’s the cops! I refuse to serve them,” according Leatherberry

The cops did not want to take any chances and left. Leatherberry says he wanted to avoid any ‘extra sauces’ in his food.
A spokeswoman with the Lake Alfred Police Dept called Hadden a “bone head.”

WFLA has received a lot of messages on social media about the story, in support of the officers. The management at Tropical Smoothie took very swift action and fired Hadden immediately.

“This is not who we are we do not operate like that… to all the law enforcement officers, please feel free to come to our store,” manager Beth Lawrence said.

Hadden told the local station he regrets what he said, especially with everything going on around the country with law enforcement right now.

https://www.policeone.com/off-duty/a...-to-serve-cop/

Police: Miss. deli workers refused to serve cop
Two deli workers turned their backs on the officer

Nov 22, 2016

By PoliceOne Staff

MOSS POINT, Miss. — Police said two employees at a local grocery store refused to serve an officer Sunday.

Sgt. Doug Adams and the manager of the Piggly Wiggly reviewed footage that shows the workers acknowledging Officer Scott Clayton, but refusing to serve him, the Sun Herald reported.

“One worker walked to the back of the deli and it appears he asks the two at the counter if they could help him, but they did not,” Adams said.

According to WXXV, Clayton’s finance wrote in a Facebook post that the employees turned their backs and said, “I’m not serving him.”

Manager Barry Carmack told the publication they’re investigating why the employees refused service, but they could lose their jobs.

“It’s not something we tolerate,” Carmack said. “We will do everything we can to rectify this.”

https://www.policeone.com/Officer-Sa...n-cops-drinks/

McDonald’s employee puts mustard in 2 Kan. cops' drinks
The employee no longer works with franchise

Nov 29, 2016

By PoliceOne Staff

TOPEKA, Kan. — A McDonald’s employee has been fired after two officers found mustard mixed in their drinks.

A social media post showed a picture of the officer’s drink mixed with mustard, WIBW reported. After the post went viral, Kansas Highway Patrol said a trooper found mustard in his drink as well. They told management when it happened.

“All customers, including local law enforcement officers who protect and serve our communities, are always welcome at our restaurants,” franchise owner Tom Dobski said. “We proudly support police officers and all divisions of first responders at our restaurants across northeast Kansas.”

The unnamed employee “no longer works for the organization.”

https://www.policeone.com/Officer-Sa...urant-receipt/

Texas cop receives hateful message on restaurant receipt
The restaurant brought sandwiches to the local PD to make up for the incident

Dec 22, 2016

By PoliceOne Staff

SEGUIN, Texas — A uniformed officer who stopped to grab lunch at a local Schlotzsky’s recently was surprised when he saw a special message on his receipt.

The deputy pulled through the drive-thru and looked down at his receipt to see the message “Fck U,” according to the department’s Facebook page.

The officer called the restaurant to report the incident, and the employee has since been fired, KHOU reported.

Schlotzsky’s posted on their Facebook page that law enforcement is always welcome in the restaurant and the incident was a one-time occurrence.

“We have also personally reached out to the Sheriff's office to apologize, and remind them that they are always welcome at this location, where we proudly offer officers in uniform a special discount in appreciation for their service,” the post reads.

Sheriff Arnold Zwicke told the news station that the manager had informed him that a young employee was goofing off and didn’t intend for the message to be printed on the receipt.

The restaurant brought sandwiches to the department Wednesday afternoon to make up for the incident.

https://www.policeone.com/patrol-iss...ecake-Factory/

Armed Wash. officers turned away from Cheesecake Factory
They were told guns weren’t allowed, regardless of if they were law enforcement

Dec 22, 2016

By PoliceOne Staff

TACOMA, Wash. — A policy miscommunication led to the barring of six state DOC officers from a local Cheesecake Factory.

DOC employee Miriam Nichols posted on the restaurant’s Facebook Tuesday that she and five other employees walked in wearing their uniforms, badge, and guns.

“We were told the guns are not allowed,” she wrote. “Whether you are law enforcement or not, they are not welcome.”

According to The News Tribune, the manager on duty misunderstood the restaurant policy on law enforcement having service weapons in the restaurant.

The next day, Cheesecake Factory officials reached out and apologized.

“It was a misunderstanding, and they’re rectifying that situation,” DOC spokesman Jeremy Barclay said. “They actually support law enforcement officers being in their restaurant and having their service weapons on them.”

https://www.policeone.com/Officer-Sa...dining-police/

Colo. restaurant apologizes after anti-cop song played in front of dining police
Smashburger employees allegedly played N.W.A’s “F—k Tha Police” on repeat while officers dined inside

Dec 19, 2016

By PoliceOne Staff

AURORA, Colo. — Smashburger is apologizing after employees played an anti-cop song while officers dined in the restaurant, KMGH reported.

According to a Facebook post, officers were eating at the restaurant Saturday when employees started playing N.W.A’s “F—k Tha Police” on repeat.

The incident was reported to management and The Brotherhood for the Fallen of Aurora said they “applaud their [Smashburger’s] immediate initiative to look into this matter, and are certain they will take any steps they deem necessary.”

The restaurant said in a statement that the staff and manager in charge have been placed on leave pending an investigation.

“First and foremost, we respect, honor and appreciate every police department in the country,” the company said in the statement. “We apologize to the police officers affected, as well as to any of our guests who were party to this unfortunate incident.”

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Unregistered

This is a real problem in this country. I think if police want respect it is a two way street. The growing chorus of intolerance from the public should be a message to the police. We don't live in a police state and the police need to police their own from abuses. It has become intolerable.

---

If is so intolerable,, move to Mexico, Canada. You probably were given several tickets and are whining about it!!! Bad Police man
gave me a ticket!!!

I prefer not being served , knowing someone handling my food does not like me rather then have my food , beverage handled by someone who is looking to '' stick it '' to me .

I will gladly go someplace else .