A Detroit Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is closed after a video purporting to show deplorable conditions inside the restaurant went viral on social media.
Shakita Jones started working at the Popeyes on Gratiot Avenue near 7 Mile Road three weeks ago, and she said she immediately began voicing concerns over what she said were disgusting conditions that included roaches, poorly washed cooking bowls, and other unsettling issues.
Jones said she decided to go live on Facebook after being told to just step on the roaches and not scream when she saw one.
"When I filled out that application, it didn't say we got roaches, you gotta kill them, you have to step on them," said Jones. "It didn't say they had dead flies on the ice."
Crews from the Detroit Health Department are on the scene Tuesday. The department has issued the following statement about the situation.
The Detroit Health Department’s Food Safety Team is currently on site and investigating the Popeye’s location at 14180 Gratiot. The location is temporarily closed and the Popeye’s management is cooperating with the Health Department and following all cleaning protocols.
The Detroit Health Department will continue to work with the Popeye’s location and it will work to make the sure the restaurant is in compliance prior to reopening.
You can see the video embedded below.
Popeyes' corporate media relations responded saying:
“Food safety and quality is always a top priority for the Popeyes brand. The Franchisee who owns and operates this location has worked with local health officials and is taking the appropriate measures to ensure that the restaurant is thoroughly sanitized.”
The building will remain closed "pending final word from the owner," according to a spokeswoman for the company.
