Note: This story first made headlines in July 2017.
McDonald’s is currently investigating an incident where an employee at a Virginia franchise allegedly refused to serve a police officer in uniform.
Cathy Naff claims that an employee at a McDonald’s restaurant refused to serve her husband, Scott Naff, who had just completed a 13-hour shift, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Cathy detailed the incident in a Facebook post:
“My husband returned home after a 13-hour workday and shared a shocking story with me. Around 7:00 this evening, he took a short break and went through the drive-through at the McDonald’s on Parham Road and Route 1. He was in uniform and his police vehicle. He paid for his food and pulled up to the next window.
“The young man at that window looked at him and stepped back, mouthing something to my husband. My husband couldn’t hear him because the window was closed. Finally, the man walked over and opened the window.
“My husband told him he couldn’t hear what he said, and the man replied, ‘I ain’t serving no police,’ and shut the window. He then announced to everyone in the McDonald’s, including the manager, that he wouldn’t serve police. The employees stared at my husband, unsure of what to do. He had already paid for his food, but no one wanted to give it to him.
“Finally, one employee silently brought the food to him. As my husband drove away, a customer who had been inside approached his car and expressed disbelief at what had happened.
“He said the employee had informed the manager that she could fire him, but he wouldn’t serve the police. The manager did not intervene and didn’t bring the food to my husband.
“It’s shocking that someone would behave like this, but even more concerning that the manager allowed it to happen. We will never visit this McDonald’s again. This has opened my eyes to what our protectors endure every day. Please keep our law enforcement officers in your thoughts and prayers, as they risk their lives for us daily.”
The post quickly spread on social media, prompting McDonald’s to issue a statement.
“We strive to serve all our customers, including the police officers who protect our communities,” McDonald’s said in a statement to Blue Lives Matter. “We are conducting a thorough investigation into this incident and will take appropriate action.”
Cathy Naff later provided an update:
“Immediately after the incident, my husband emailed a complaint to corporate. Late last night, he received a standard reply thanking him for his concern. We called the franchise owner, who promised to look into it.
“Five hours later, they called back and said they had terminated the employee, but the manager claims ignorance. When we informed the owner about the manager’s role, he promised to investigate further.
“My husband is one of the calmest, kindest, and most level-headed individuals I know. This should never have happened to him or anyone else. Others have privately shared similar experiences at this restaurant.
“For McDonald’s to question the validity of this story is outrageous. Thank you for the support, not just for my husband but for law enforcement officers everywhere! The bottom line is that no one should be treated the way this McDonald’s has treated people. Every individual deserves respect!”
Sources: Daily Mail, Blue Lives Matter
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