An untold number of Five Guys employees in Alabama were either fired or suspended after they refused to serve members of the Daphne Police Department.
“The actions the Daphne, AL franchise have taken include termination and suspension of the employees involved,” Five Guys said in a statement. “The store has temporarily closed for further education and customer service training with a representative from the Daphne Police Department.
The officers had entered the restaurant in a local shopping center and were told by workers they had to wear masks. The officers went to their vehicles to get masks, but once they returned they were denied service.
“They allege multiple employees turned their backs to them and refused to serve them,” Fox 10 reports.
Five Guys and the franchise owner apologized to the officers involved.
“We do not want these police officers, or any customer, to feel disrespected or slighted in any way,” the company wrote in a statement.
The fast food restaurant pleaded urged customers to understand that what happened to the officers was unacceptable.
“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,” the company said in a statement.