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Chipotle Catches Hell Over NYPD Service Refusal, Even After Statement

Rumors have been flying that some NYPD officers entered a Chipotle restaurant in New York and were refused service. Apparently those rumors are true, but perhaps only in part. The story goes that eigh...
Chipotle Catches Hell Over NYPD Service Refusal, Even After Statement
Written by Mike Tuttle
  • Rumors have been flying that some NYPD officers entered a Chipotle restaurant in New York and were refused service. Apparently those rumors are true, but perhaps only in part.

    The story goes that eight NYPD officers were greeted at the counter by an employee who simply put his hands up in the now-well-known “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” gesture and refused to serve them. Some stories say that all the behind-the-counter employees did so. Here is the text from the original story about the incident. (See below for entire post.)

    “It has been confirmed to me by an officer involved at the incident that when several officers working a detail yesterday within the confines of the NYPD 84th Precinct (one of my old commands) entered a Chipotle Mexican Grill, located at 185 Montague Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 in uniform, several of the employees raised their hands & said ‘Hands Up, Don’t Shoot’ to the officers. The officers simply left the location without any further action at the scene rather than provoke what could be a losing situation, given the current climate of ‘support’ from our Mayor.”

    Now Chipotle has said something on their Facebook page about the incident. According to the post, only one employee made the gesture, and the officers were not denied service.

    “[W]e work hard to be sure that all of our customers feel welcome in our restaurants and apologize if the actions of any of our employees suggested otherwise. When this happened roughly two weeks ago, we investigated and have taken appropriate measures to be sure this doesn’t happen again.

    “We do want you to know, however, that we did not refuse service to anyone, nor did our staff conspire to make a gesture. It appears that any activity that took place was undertaken by a single employee, spontaneously. I hope that helps.”

    Some folks are asking if that employee was fired. But Chipotle is only saying, “We’re doing our best to apologize to the folks who have concerns about this in an immediate way.”

    The statement does not seem to be placating many. Some comments on the Chipotle page include [sics galore]:

    “You lost two real big customers to all of your Long Island and Nyc locations after your sorry excuse of a response was released … Will spread to all of my friends and family as well”

    “Compleatly discusting never eating here disrespectfull beyond belife”

    “I hope your business get destroyed by rioters. I’m never eating at Chipotle again.”

    “Never again. You can shove your burritos where the sun don’t hit ya. You should enjoy it as you are as homosexual jerks as ovomit is.”

    “love how everyone blames a national restaurant for one persons stupidity…lets blame the hater and the protesters who still dont get it and probably never will…#ISupporttheNYPD”

    Here is the Facebook post that seems to have started the whole story.

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