Five Guys fires staff who refused to serve police officers at Alabama outlet and 'turned their backs on them'
A Five Guys in Daphne, Alabama, has fired or suspended employees who reportedly denied service to three police officers. "Five Guys and the Daphne, AL franchise want to thank the Daphne Police Department for their support in working together toward a resolution,” the restaurant chain said in a statement Friday. “The actions the Daphne, AL franchise have taken include termination and suspension of the employees involved.”
Police officers were refused service by several Five Guys employees when they tried to order on Tuesday night. According to the officers, at least six or seven employees at the outlet turned their backs on them as they entered the franchise. “I’m not serving them," one of the employees reportedly remarked. The officers then left the restaurant to go to another diner.
"The Daphne Police Department appreciates the outpouring of support from our community and from supporters of Law Enforcement across the country,” Daphne Police said in a statement earlier this week. “We also want to thank Five Guys on a corporate and local level. The Daphne Police Department does not think that the actions of a few employees represent Five Guys as a whole."
Daphne police added that they wanted to clarify some misinformation that had made rounds on social media.
"To clarify some misinformation that has been spread on social media, on July, 7th three officers of the Daphne Police Department entered the Five Guys restaurant in Daphne," the statement continued. "The three officers became aware of the mask requirement. They returned to their vehicles to obtain masks. All three officers were wearing masks the entire time they were inside the establishment."
But the employees allegedly turned their back on the officers once they were back inside.
"The events that occurred while the officers were in the restaurant were unfortunate," the statement added. "We will continue to work with Five Guys on this matter towards resolution once all the facts are known."
The said Five Guys outlet, located at the Jubilee Square shopping center, is currently closed to give additional training to its employees, Fox10 reported.
"The store has temporarily closed for further education and customer service training with a representative from the Daphne Police Department and will reopen at 4 PM today, July 10th," the Five Guys statement read. “As we uphold our commitment to fair, respectful, and equal treatment for all customers, please know that the actions and sentiments of a few employees in Daphne, AL do not represent Five Guys or the local franchisee. We will continue to investigate the matter.”
Law enforcement has faced a major backlash after mass protests broke out across the country following the Memorial Day death of George Floyd in police custody in May.
In a viral video taken by a bystander on May 25, 46-year-old Floyd was seen lying on street with handcuffs on during his arrest as a Minneapolis cop, Derek Chauvin, knelt on his neck, almost crushing his head on the pavement underneath. “I can’t breathe,” Floyd is heard saying repeatedly in the footage. “Please. Please. Please. I can’t breathe. Please, man.” Bystanders also urge the officer to get off Floyd's neck but he refuses to listen. He keeps pressing on the spot for nearly nine minutes till Floyd loses unconsciousness.
Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder and third-degree manslaughter. Three other officers involved in the arrest — Tou Thao, Thomas Lane, and JA Kueng — have also been charged with aiding and abetting murder. If convicted, all four officers face 40-year terms in prison.