Bojangles, the fried chicken chain, has apologized after Trump supporters were locked out of a restaurant near the Bojangles’ Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Thousands of Trump supporters were in the area for Monday night’s Keep America Great rally. And afterwards, a good many had a hankering for chicken and biscuits.
“Bojangles locked the doors to the Trump rally last night and denied service,” Michael Furick posted on social media. “Ironic because the rally was at Bojangles arena … This is pretty distasteful. I walk up to the door and people are gathered around and stated they would not serve Trump supporters.”
The Charlotte Observer reports another photo showed at least a half-dozen people, some holding Trump signs, standing outside the restaurant.
And in a separate incident someone posted a sign on the door of another Bojangles’ stating, “No one allowed in store wearing Trump hats or shirts. You will be asked to leave.”
The fast food chain, based in Charlotte, was quick to respond to both controversies.
“To all our Bojangles’ fans. An unfortunate incident happened at our store near Bojangles’ Coliseum earlier this week,” the company wrote on its Facebook page. “A manager made a bad decision to close the dining room. We apologize. That manager is no longer employed by Bojangles’. At a different store, a customer posted a sign that is not true. We welcome ALL customers.”
Brian Little, the head of the restaurant’s communications team, told the newspaper the restaurant was likely overwhelmed with customers following the rally.
“We apologize for anyone who felt they were treated in a way that was disrespectful,” he told The Charlotte Observer. “This is not in line with who we are as a business. We serve everyone who wants to purchase one of our (items).”