Pizza Hut in Alabama target of “trial by Facebook” accusations
A Pizza Hunt in Huntsville, Alabama, was the target of a social media campaign asserting that the franchise store was anti-military and anti-police, in another example that illustrates the dangers of “trial by social media”.
Some of our own readers reached out to us this week, querying whether the below post – that details the account of a customer querying the lack of a military discount on his bill in a local Pizza Hut only to be rudely scorned by a manager – was authentic.
So I just went to pizza hut for lunch on University Dr. in Huntsville, AL which is a corporate location not owned by a franchisee.
When I got my ticket I noticed that there was not a military discount like usual so I let her know that. Her reply was… And?
So I asked to speak to a manager and the store manager said pizza hut does not offer a discount to military. At which point a guy in a suit with a pizza hut lanyard around his neck interrupted and introduced himself as a corporate manager. I thought he was about to apologize for being rude but he did not in fact he said… I’m so damn tired of of you damn military, police, & firefighters acting like people owe you something…
Let me ask you a question what have you or anyone else in the military done for pizza hut?
My response well I did spend a year in Iraq where yall had a pizza hut on base through AFFES
He looked at me and said get the f$@% out of my store and tell your military buddies not to come here.
When i advised him i was going to post this interaction on social media
He said go ahead
So what is your opinion on this?
I will never go to pizza hut again because of this
Published by a Facebook user called Caleb Lee, straight away the account displayed some of the hallmark tell-tale signs of a fabricated story that we so often see targeting both national and local businesses. The inexplicably rude manager berates the innocently enquiring customer. The fact that the manager makes sure not just to just include the military in his ill-advised rant but to also include both police and fire departments, to add to the controversy of the story. And of course the lack of any evidence to back-up any of the claims made in the post.
The problem we always have with these sorts of accusations is that they’re inherently difficult to either prove or disprove, given that we were simply not present, and do not have access to any sources or witnesses that could either collaborate or repudiate that such an incident had ever taken place.
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However what we can do – and what all social media users should do – is accept that this presents only one side of a story, and given the nature of the account, we should perhaps take it with a pinch of salt. Are we really expected to believe that a manager would instigate such a foul mouthed tirade towards a paying customer merely for that customer questioning a military discount? Are we meant to blindly accept that same manager asserted that the military were not welcome in the store, in a city with a significant military presence? In the cold light of day, it may make sense to step back and consider the facts.
Of course, as is always the case on social media, there was no shortage of people willing to completely discard that advice and to launch into equally foul mouthed tirades at what they instantly judged to be an unacceptable injustice against the stores apparent ‘anti-military’ stance.
Just a sample of reviews left on the Pizza Hut Facebook page…
I hope and pray your business closes down. I am posting address and phone number and tell everyone NEVER walk threw your doors again. you and your business is a disgrace.
sic
F**k this Pizza Hut! Military haters! Smmfh how dare y’all even say that sh**!
sic
Your interaction with customers who happened to be a military memeber has caused you to lose my business along with every other pizza hut.
sic
In response to the social media outcry and instant denouncement, Pizza Hut published the following post (which has been verified as legitimate by local media in Huntsville) that asserted the account from Caleb Lee was fabricated –
We want to thank everyone for your concerns with the situation that has been made up on Facebook. We have had a thorough investigation about the matter and have reviewed all video surveillance footage of the day the individual claims it occurred. Caleb Lee is in fact a customer of ours and did come in and have buffet with us on Jan 12th between 1-2pm. When Mr Lee finished enjoying his meal he paid for his meal, at which time, he did ask if we gave a military discount. His server and the store manager explained we did not offer a discount. Mr Lee paid for his meal and exited the facility. Mr Lee was never approached by any other person during his visit with us. It is very unfortunate that he felt the need to fabricate a story and post it to social media. We have tried to contact Mr. Lee, but we are unable to as he has removed himself from all social media. As anyone could guess, this has had a very negative impact on our business and reputation. As a Pizza Hut Franchise, we have been serving our communities, here in Huntsville, AL, since 1967. We have always had the utmost respect for all customers, including all uniformed professions, be it Military, Law Enforcement, Firefighters or Responders. Any actions like what was stated would have resulted in immediate termination of any employee no matter the position they hold. We will continue as always to serve our guests with the utmost respect today and in the future
This whole sorry debacle once again highlights the inherent dangers of “trial by social media”, a lawless cyber-land where it’s often guilty until proven innocent instead of the other way around. These types of accusation and online bandwagons can have detrimental real world effects. Just ask the Globe pub in Leicester, UK, that had to close amidst a flurry of online rumours that it too was anti-military.
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