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A Maryland man has accused a local Chick-fil-A of racism after receiving a receipt with the name "Monkeys" at a drive-thru, sparking controversy and discussions about racial sensitivity in customer service.
Man Received Chick-fil-A Receipt Labeled 'Monkeys'
On August 23, Marquise Vanzego visited the Chick-fil-A drive-thru in La Plata, Maryland, to order his meal. After ordering, he heard an employee call out the name "Monkeys." When he checked his receipt, he found the offensive term printed on it, matching his order, confirming his fears that he had been racially profiled.
Feeling deeply offended, Vanzego approached the store's management to report the incident. The manager apologized and offered a refund, according to Today.com.
Unsatisfied with this response, Vanzego wrote a letter to Chick-fil-A's corporate headquarters and CEO Andrew Cathy, expressing his anger and disappointment.
He shared that being called such a name brought back painful memories of racial discrimination and historical injustices faced by Black people.
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Company Refuses to Fire Employee After the Incident
Chick-fil-A's corporate office responded to the incident, stating that the La Plata location is independently owned and operated. They confirmed that the franchisee apologized to Vanzego but acknowledged that the incident fell short of the company's expectations for customer service.
The corporate office emphasized that this type of experience is unacceptable and does not align with their values.
Vanzego hopes the employee responsible will be held accountable and learn from this incident. According to Hip-Hop Vibe, the franchisee did not terminate the employee, citing the worker's age, which has sparked a public debate.
Some argue that the employee, who is under 18, should be given a chance to learn from the mistake. Others, including Vanzego, believe that actions have consequences, regardless of age, especially when racial insensitivity is involved.
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