PUYALLUP, Wash. — McDonald’s has “taken appropriate corrective action” after an employee allegedly called a customer a gay slur.
Luis Hernandez, who is gay, says he went in to order a hamburger on Sunday at a Puyallup McDonald’s and noticed a manager yelling at an employee.
"So I said OK, so is that how you allow your manager to speak to your co-workers like that?” said Hernandez.
After that, Hernandez says the employee at the cash register walked away and started talking to another employee--within earshot.
Hernandez says he overheard the employee use an anti-gay term.
"That's when he turns around, looks at me and says well, that's why I can't stand f-----,” said Hernandez.
Hernandez has video that he says shows the hamburger he was given.
He opened the hamburger at home and says it was bloody.
"I start to bite into it and it was just horrific smell, and that's when I knew that something was wrong with it,” said Hernandez.
"I feel that they did that on purpose to try and intentionally hurt me and try to make me sick,” he added.
Hernandez has reported what happened to Puyallup police and he called the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department.
The health department visited the McDonald's the next day.
In their inspection report, the department "visually noticed undercooking" on one of the grills. McDonald's then adjusted the time on that grill to cook longer.
In response to Hernandez' claims, McDonald's sent KIRO 7 a statement:
"Providing our customers excellent service and high quality food and beverages are top priorities at our restaurant. We strive to provide a welcoming environment for all of our customers. Discrimination is not tolerated and is completely inconsistent with our values. We have investigated and taken the appropriate corrective action."
Hernandez says he wants an apology.
He says that hasn't yet happened.
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