3 weeks ago
Popeyes Sued for $1.5 Million Over Object in Fried Chicken
A man and a woman in Houston, Texas, ordered fried chicken from a fast-food restaurant called Popeyes.
The man says he bit into a piece of chicken and found something strange inside that looked like a condom.
The couple stopped eating right away and felt sick because they were worried about their food.
They went back to the restaurant to tell the workers what happened.
The couple says the workers laughed at them and only offered to give them new chicken instead of helping.
A refund was eventually given, the couple says, but only after they insisted.
The couple decided to take the restaurant to court and are asking for more than $1.5 million.
The lawsuit says the restaurant was careless and unsafe with its food handling.
Houston community activists also visited the restaurant and asked for an investigation.
Justin Howard and Danielle McKinnon sued Popeyes, its parent company Restaurant Brands International and local franchise operator AAMANA Businesses, seeking more than $1.5 million.
The lawsuit, filed August 3 in Harris County District Court, alleges a condom-like object was embedded in fried chicken bought on July 25.
The couple said they stopped eating immediately and felt nauseous, fearing they may have swallowed contaminated food.
The petition alleges staff laughed at the couple's complaint and offered to swap the chicken for a fresh order instead of investigating; a refund came only after they pushed.
Houston activists Candice Matthews and Quanell X visited the outlet in late July, calling for an investigation and a pause on chicken sales at that location.
- Who
- Justin Howard and Danielle McKinnon, suing Popeyes, parent company Restaurant Brands International and franchise operator AAMANA Businesses.
- What
- A lawsuit alleging a condom-like object was found embedded in a piece of fried chicken.
- Where
- A Popeyes outlet on South Sam Houston Parkway West in Houston; the case was filed in Harris County District Court.
- When
- The incident occurred on July 25; the lawsuit was filed on August 3.
- Why
- The couple alleges negligence, unsafe food handling and breach of Texas consumer protection law, and says they worried they may have swallowed contaminated food.
Key facts
- Amount sought
- More than $1.5 million in damages
- Lawsuit filed
- August 3, Harris County District Court
- Incident date
- July 25
- Location
- Popeyes outlet, South Sam Houston Parkway West, Houston
- Defendants
- Restaurant Brands International, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, AAMANA Businesses
- Legal claims
- Negligence, unsafe food handling, breach of Texas consumer protection law
- Alleged staff response
- Laughed, offered to replace the chicken; refund given only after the couple pushed
- Popeyes size
- More than 4,000 restaurants in the US and abroad
Quotes
Justin Howard
Complainant in the lawsuit
“I bit into a piece and immediately noticed what looked like a condom stuck inside it”
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