General Discussion

George II

(67,782 posts) Fri Dec 30, 2016, 01:10 PM Dec 2016

Anyone remember the Veterans' Day story about a veteran at Chili's?

For background, here's the Washington Post story:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/11/15/restaurant-denies-free-veterans-day-meal-to-black-veteran-after-man-in-trump-shirt-accuses-him-of-lying/?utm_term=.7b951736d5dd

Restaurant denies free Veterans Day meal to black veteran after man in Trump shirt accuses him of lying

I was so angry that I did something I rarely ever do. I sent an email to Chili's headquarters via their website (wish I still had it). I told them how angry and disgusted I was with them, their "manager", and would never visit Chili's ever again. I thought it would end there, thinking they'd never even acknowledge the message. Well, I was wrong. It took a while (about 6 weeks) but this morning I was pleasantly surprised with the email below. Restores (somewhat) my faith in our fellow human beings. No doubt I'll be at a Chili's as soon as I can!! I'm sure Mr. Walker never expected anything like this (indeed, he was forced out of his home by harrassment), but Chili's deserves a lot of credit for their actions in rectifying this situation and their on-going work with veterans.

December 30, 2016

Dear Mr. XXXXX,

We understand your concern for the incident that occurred on Veteran’s Day in one of our restaurants. What happened was unacceptable and does not align with our core values. As a result, the former Manager is no longer with the company.

Our apology to Mr. Walker and subsequent resolution demonstrates our desire to do the right thing by him as an individual and as a veteran who served our country with honor. In addition to donating to Mr. Walker’s newly established organization, Feed A Million Soldiers, this holiday season, we’ve contributed 100,000 meals to Feed Our Vets to support its work of establishing new food pantries. We are also dedicated to continuing our active participation with organizations such as Snowball Express, Wreaths Across America and Veterans Job Mission.

Lastly, we have begun additional trainings to support our Team Members who represent and reflect our culture and values to our Guests. As we move forward, we will continue to reinforce and foster a community of respect and inclusion.

Sincerely,

Chili's Guest Engagement Team

18 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Anyone remember the Veterans' Day story about a veteran at Chili's? (Original Post) George II Dec 2016 OP

Good for them. OregonBlue Dec 2016 #1

I wonder whether the vet was able to return home or whether the harassment continues. nt tblue37 Dec 2016 #10

I well remember that story. glad to see the (VERY) belated response. niyad Dec 2016 #2

That's just the response to the OP - I think their response after the incident LisaM Dec 2016 #3

the six weeks it took them to respond to the letter george II sent is what I meant. niyad Dec 2016 #4

To be honest I never expected any response, that's what shocked me.... George II Dec 2016 #6

it was a surprise. I am thinking they are looking at it more as damage control, because niyad Dec 2016 #7

Lot of Local Coverage on this event dem in texas Dec 2016 #5

what I would also love to see is an indication that the asshole drumpfy supporter who niyad Dec 2016 #8

Glad to hear this. democrank Dec 2016 #9

I just got the identical letter in my email today. niyad Dec 2016 #11

That's great DK504 Dec 2016 #12

copy and paste your email into a draft in your computer's inbox Marthe48 Dec 2016 #13

Good news. Thanks, George. nt. Mc Mike Dec 2016 #14

Why would you be disgusted with Chili's as a whole? mythology Dec 2016 #15

Excellent outcome for Mr. Walker, but isn't it a stain on humanity that people have to be "trained" Boomerproud Dec 2016 #16

Yes, it's pretty sad that people have to be taught what's "right" instead of just knowing it. George II Dec 2016 #17

I go to Chilis about once a year... awoke_in_2003 Dec 2016 #18

OregonBlue

(7,755 posts)

1. Good for them.

Reply to George II (Original post)

Fri Dec 30, 2016, 01:19 PM

Dec 2016

tblue37

(65,506 posts)

10. I wonder whether the vet was able to return home or whether the harassment continues. nt

Reply to OregonBlue (Reply #1)

Fri Dec 30, 2016, 03:02 PM

Dec 2016

niyad

(113,731 posts)

2. I well remember that story. glad to see the (VERY) belated response.

Reply to George II (Original post)

Fri Dec 30, 2016, 02:13 PM

Dec 2016

LisaM

(27,848 posts)

3. That's just the response to the OP - I think their response after the incident

Reply to niyad (Reply #2)

Fri Dec 30, 2016, 02:14 PM

Dec 2016

was pretty quick.

niyad

(113,731 posts)

4. the six weeks it took them to respond to the letter george II sent is what I meant.

Reply to LisaM (Reply #3)

Fri Dec 30, 2016, 02:17 PM

Dec 2016

and I well remember their completely lukewarm response to the incident when it happened.

George II

(67,782 posts)

6. To be honest I never expected any response, that's what shocked me....

Reply to niyad (Reply #4)

Fri Dec 30, 2016, 02:32 PM

Dec 2016

....being a national story, I'm sure they got lots of backlash and similar communications as mine. Things like that take a long time and I'm really happy they saw fit to even address it with me, not being directly involved in the situation.

niyad

(113,731 posts)

7. it was a surprise. I am thinking they are looking at it more as damage control, because

Reply to George II (Reply #6)

Fri Dec 30, 2016, 02:34 PM

Dec 2016

their corporate image certainly took a hit that day.

dem in texas

(2,674 posts)

5. Lot of Local Coverage on this event

Reply to George II (Original post)

Fri Dec 30, 2016, 02:23 PM

Dec 2016

This happened at a Chili's out in Cedar Hill, a Dallas suburb, so there has been quite a bit of news about this on TV and in the paper. Chili's gave him free meal specials for a year (I think) and donated to a veteran's group. When all was over, everyone was pleased with the outcome. Too bad it even had to happen.

niyad

(113,731 posts)

8. what I would also love to see is an indication that the asshole drumpfy supporter who

Reply to dem in texas (Reply #5)

Fri Dec 30, 2016, 02:35 PM

Dec 2016

started this ugliness got barred for life.

democrank

(11,112 posts)

9. Glad to hear this.

Reply to George II (Original post)

Fri Dec 30, 2016, 02:55 PM

Dec 2016

So happy that vets benefited in the end.

niyad

(113,731 posts)

11. I just got the identical letter in my email today.

Reply to George II (Original post)

Fri Dec 30, 2016, 03:18 PM

Dec 2016

DK504

(3,847 posts)

12. That's great

Reply to George II (Original post)

Fri Dec 30, 2016, 03:28 PM

Dec 2016

what about the a-hole that was stupid enough to challenge a vet because he is black? That dick needs to be 86'ed for life.

Marthe48

(17,085 posts)

13. copy and paste your email into a draft in your computer's inbox

Reply to George II (Original post)

Fri Dec 30, 2016, 03:37 PM

Dec 2016

and save it in your draft folder. Whenever I create an email on a web site email form, I do this, so I have a copy. I especially do this when it is political.
Thank you for taking the time to write to Chili's. The manager was a total jerk and deserved to be fired. And the customer who started it, told to leave.

Mc Mike

(9,115 posts)

14. Good news. Thanks, George. nt.

Reply to George II (Original post)

Fri Dec 30, 2016, 03:53 PM

Dec 2016

mythology

(9,527 posts)

15. Why would you be disgusted with Chili's as a whole?

Reply to George II (Original post)

Fri Dec 30, 2016, 04:13 PM

Dec 2016

There was no indication that this was anything other than one employee screwing up. He was fired. I can't see getting worked up to the point where I'd forswear ever eating at one again.

Boomerproud

(7,976 posts)

16. Excellent outcome for Mr. Walker, but isn't it a stain on humanity that people have to be "trained"

Reply to George II (Original post)

Fri Dec 30, 2016, 04:15 PM

Dec 2016

not to engage in this reprehensible behavior? This is NOT about "freedom of speech" or "political correctness"-it's about being RIGHT.

George II

(67,782 posts)

17. Yes, it's pretty sad that people have to be taught what's "right" instead of just knowing it.

Reply to Boomerproud (Reply #16)

Fri Dec 30, 2016, 04:22 PM

Dec 2016

awoke_in_2003

(34,582 posts)

18. I go to Chilis about once a year...

Reply to George II (Original post)

Fri Dec 30, 2016, 07:34 PM

Dec 2016

they were where I had my first fajitas. I was visiting my sisters (in Texas) around 1990 before I moved down in 1992. I can do better fajitas at home, but I still go there once and a while for old time's sake. I am glad they made things right.

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