A Florida Police Department had a beef with Arby’s after a cop was denied service Tuesday evening by a worker at the fast food franchise – simply because the customer was a police officer.
Top corporate officials at roast beef mecca Arby’s quickly apologized after the Pembroke Pines Police Department tweeted on Wednesday about the incident, which Chief Dan Giustino called “unacceptable.”
“I am offended and appalled that an individual within our community would treat a police officer in such a manner,” Giustino said in a statement.
“In my 18 years here I’ve never heard of an incident like this before”
- Maj. Carlos Bermudez
“We are very proud of the partnerships we have built within our city, and for an incident like this to have happened is very disappointing for everyone.”
An officer, in uniform and driving a marked police vehicle, placed an order at a drive-thru speaker Tuesday evening before pulling up to the window to pay and receive the order. But an Arby’s worker at the window refused service.
“The comment was made that they wouldn’t be served because they were a police officer,” Maj. Carlos Bermudez, a Pembroke Pines officer, told FoxNews.com.
Someone else inside the restaurant intervened and gave the officer his order. But, after initially taking it and paying for it, the officer returned the bag and got a refund because he didn’t feel “comfortable.”
“In my 18 years here I’ve never heard of an incident like this before,” Bermudez said. “Whenever we’ve gone to an establishment, we’ve been treated professionally and great.”
Less than two hours after the PPPD sent out its initial tweet on the incident, the department followed up: Arby’s had apologized. Arby’s Chief Executive Officer Paul Brown and Senior Vice President of Operations Scott Boatwright spoke to Giustino to “convey their sincere apologizes on behalf of the organization,” according to a police press release.
“We take this isolated matter very seriously as we respect and support police officers in our local communities,” Arby’s said in a statement sent to FoxNews.com. “As soon as the issue was brought to our attention, our CEO spoke with the Police Chief who expressed his gratitude for our quick action and indicates the case is closed. We will be following up with our team members to be sure that our policy of inclusion is understood and adhered to.”
Numerous calls to the Arby’s at 11755 Pines Blvd were not answered. An Arby’s spokesman said the company would be following through with disciplinary action for the employee "up to and including termination."
Pembroke Pines is a city on the east coast of Florida, located about 20 miles North of Miami.
