A Missouri IHOP server was fired after she printed an ‘inexcusable’ racial slur on a black customer’s receipt.
On April 13, 19-year-old Maya Thomas ordered a to-go meal at the breakfast chain and was shocked to find the n-word printed on her receipt in place of her name.
Her server at the Kansas City, Missouri restaurant was also black.
The distressed teenager showed the receipt to her mother who posted the receipt on social media, where it was shared more than 400 times.
An IHOP server in Kansas City, Missouri was fired after she printed a racial slur on a black customer’s receipt on April 13, receipt pictured above
The mother said her ‘very timid and very shy’ daughter was ‘too upset to talk about the incident’, according to the Kansas City Star.
‘She seemed distraught and upset when she showed it to me. And of course it got me pissed,’ the mother said.
Thomas’ mother then phoned the IHOP to complain and was given a $10 IHOP gift certificate via mail a few days later.
‘I think that’s really what made her mad. Of all the things you could call someone, you call them that,’ Thomas’ mother said.
‘And then the way you deal with it is by giving them 10 dollars?’ she added.
After her mother alerted the company, an investigation was launched the same day and that server was fired, but Thomas was not notified of the server’s termination.
‘The incident which occurred on April 13 involved a black server and black guest. The franchisee was made aware of the incident on the 13th; an investigation was launched that same day and the server was terminated,’ IHOP spokesperson Stephanie Peterson said to Dailymail.com.
The incident took place at the above IHOP in Grandview. At first the mother of the 19-year-old victim phoned the company to complain, and was sent a $10 voucher for the restaurant
‘A senior level member of the franchisee’s team reached out to the guest on the 13th with an apology and to state that the server’s actions were not acceptable and in direct violation of their policy. This type of behavior is absolutely not tolerated, and couldn’t be further from what we stand for as a brand,’ she added.
After she learned of the termination, Thomas’ mother said: ‘That’s great. I think they’re handling this well.’
IHOP President Darren Rebelez released a statement in wake of the incident.
‘The action taken by the server at this restaurant is inexcusable. IHOP and its franchisees do not and will not tolerate racism, bigotry or harassment of any kind. The franchisee, who owns and operates this restaurant, once made aware of the incident, terminated the employee in question and immediately contacted the guest to apologize,’ he said.
‘For 60 years, IHOP and our franchisees have strived to create a warm and hospitable dining experience for all guests, and we are currently working with the franchisee to ensure all possible steps are taken to deliver on that promise,’ he added.
The news follows a string of racist incidents in restaurants across the nation.
Last month a black woman named Jacinda Mitchell was denied entry into a Waffle House that was serving white customers.
Also last month three white Saraland, Alabama police officers arrested a black 25-year-old woman named Chikesia Clemons at a Waffle house restaurant.
Two black men were also arrested at a Philadelphia Starbucks in April because they did not buy anything and refused to leave, inciting the company to launch racial sensitivity training.