There’s nothing funny about this rubber chicken gag.
Two Texas residents are suing Popeyes and its parent company — Restaurant Brands International — after they allegedly found a “condom-like” object in a piece of fried chicken.
The latex lawsuit alleges seven counts of negligence and violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act (DTPA). The DTPA is a law that protects consumers against false, misleading, or deceptive business practices.
Filed on August 3 in Texas by Justin Howard and Danielle McKinnon, the two plaintiffs are asking for $1.5 million in damages. The duo claims that on or near July 25, the pair ordered chicken from the Texas Popeyes location at 7416 South Sam Houston Parkway West.
According to the plaintiff’s petition for a jury trial, Howard bit into a piece of chicken and found what looked like a “condom-like foreign object embedded within the chicken itself.”
The meal instantly took a turn and “transformed what should have been an ordinary family meal into a deeply disturbing and frightening event,” the document said.
Howard became physically nauseated after realizing he had already ingested the alleged contaminated food before discovering the object. The Texas two went back to the restaurant where management tried to replace the contaminated chicken.
The petition alleges that the plaintiffs were refunded but only after “persistence.” The Texas residents fear they were exposed to infectious contaminants, bacteria, viruses, bloodborne pathogens, bodily fluids, sexually transmitted diseases or other hazardous substances, the petition added.
Popeyes told The Post via email, “We looked at extensive internal video and determined this was likely a restaurant glove that fell into the batter.”
“Regardless, it’s not acceptable, so we issued a refund and an apology to the guest. This does not reflect the excellent experience that we strive to deliver at Popeyes.”
The psychological impact of the polluted poultry didn’t stay at the restaurant. Howard and McKinnon continue to feel “the real, physical, mental, and emotional pain and damages” that were unjustly thrust upon them.
“No customer should ever be faced with these fears,” the document states.
The chicken chain recently made waves when a customer visiting the location in the Great Lakes Crossing mall in Auburn Hills, Michigan, claimed the kiosk they ordered from asked for a tip. The diner posted the exchange on a popular Facebook group called Retail Dead or Alive.
“Popeye’s ordering kiosk asked me for a tip today.” He then added picture proof where the display showed “Add a tip? A small way to thank the folks behind your crispy, juicy meal.”
They were first announced back in 2024 on an earnings call where Josh Kobza, CEO of Restaurant Brands International, revealed nearly 85% of stores will add in the self-service pods by 2026. The move claims to cut wait times, reduce order errors, and “enhance the employee experience.”
Customers feel a bit different about tipping robots, though. One Facebook user commented on the post, “Delusional. I’d ask for a manager and tell them to get [rid of] that screen. When he says no, I tell him I won’t be back. If enough people do that, it [goes] away.”
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