2008 Woodie Awards
Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 10/29/08 Section: News
McDonald's boycott leads to firings
Lara Seligman
|
Following an incident that occurred at the restaurant in the early hours of Sunday, Oct. 19, a group of students created a Facebook group called "Boycott McDonald's." The students' complaints resulted in an apology from the general manager in addition to the firings.
Wharton sophomore Keith Williams, who witnessed the incident, explained that he and a group of friends entered the McDonald's that morning so his friend, a College junior who did not wish to be included in the article, could use the restroom.
The security guard told them that the friend was not allowed to use the restroom until he ordered food. The student proceeded to order a meal, Williams said, but the cashier made a mistake and needed an override from the shift manager.
Because the friend had already complained about the service, the manager on duty "deliberately told [the cashier] to take her time," explained Williams.
When he complained again, the security guard jumped in and began threatening the students.
The guard said things like "don't make me take you out of here," and referred to the rest of the customers as "stupid school kids," Williams said.
The cashier also screamed at the students for standing too close while trying to read the menu, Williams added.
Williams filed a complaint on the McDonald's Web site and created the "Boycott McDonald's" Facebook group the next afternoon.
General manager of the store Anthony Hill called him personally within a few days.
Hill explained that he had been on vacation when the incident occurred and had received 17 complaints just from that one weekend, said a College sophomore who witnessed the incident but wished to remain anonymous for fear of repercussions. He corroborated Williams' entire story.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 41
Student
posted 10/29/08 @ 2:19 AM EST
Don't get me wrong - that McDonald's has terrible service, gouges on prices after midnight, reeks, and is a haven for panhandlers.
However, you've got a bunch of frat guys who get drunk, go to a McDonald's to piss, probably treat the workers with disrespect, and then create a facebook group about it? And then you write a DP article but can't get any of them to own up to their comments? Come on. (Continued…)
Student2
posted 10/29/08 @ 9:58 AM EST
I'm sure the McDonald's has terrible service, but these kids should be ashamed of themselves... Because of their petty complaints a few people who really needed these jobs are now unemployed. (Continued…)
Student3
posted 10/29/08 @ 10:09 AM EST
why did the students enter the mcdonald's in the first place? to pee. why did the students make a facebook page? to have a pissing contest.
MK
posted 10/29/08 @ 10:28 AM EST
It's easy to blame these students for being immature and/or whiny. But the service at this McD's (and all of them) is AWFUL and everyone knows it. So why not put blame, more properly, on McD's corporation? Why not press/boycott them to hire responsible, semi-courteous humans, train them properly, and PAY THEM DECENTLY with reasonable benefits?? Then McD's won't have an employee turnover rate of, oh, about 1000000000000%. (Continued…)
.
posted 10/29/08 @ 10:47 AM EST
I agree with MK. What was done at that McDonald's was justified. I have been there several times during the early morning hours-- NOT drunk, mind you-- and have been treated just as badly (or worse) as these people. (Continued…)
Rick
posted 10/29/08 @ 11:12 AM EST
I'll take the side of McDonalds here with the info I've been given. Service can be bad, but if you are acting with civility, you may be annoyed, but not singled out and treated poorly. (Continued…)
Ashley
posted 10/29/08 @ 11:28 AM EST
I agree, service at McDonalds sucks but so do the customers. Most Penn students go in there drunk and expect the world from a fast food resturaunt. Get over it. (Continued…)
In the frat boys defense...
posted 10/29/08 @ 11:32 AM EST
At least they didn't take a piss in public...
downinthebasement
posted 10/29/08 @ 11:34 AM EST
I think it is funny that people who do not know the case intimately...like myself...are assuming that the people who did the facebook "are a bunch of fratboys. (Continued…)
French Fry
posted 10/29/08 @ 11:43 AM EST
Read between the lines - what a joke:
A bunch of drunk frat boys, who think they run West Philly because daddums pays their tuition, wander into a low-income food establishment to look down their noses at the people who get paid minimum wage to clean up their piss in the middle of the night. (Continued…)
Post a Comment