Justin Howard of Missouri City and Danielle McKinnon of Katy are seeking more than $1.5 million in damages from Restaurant Brands International, Inc. (the parent company), Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. (the restaurant chain), AAMANA Businesses, Inc. (the franchise operator).
According to the lawsuit, which was filed on Monday, Howard and McKinnon purchased chicken from the Popeyes located at 7416 South Sam Houston Pkwy W on July 25. The lawsuit says Howard bit into a piece of chicken and immediately discovered what appeared to be a “condom-like foreign object embedded within the chicken itself.”
Howard and McKinnon said they immediately stopped eating and became physically nauseated. The pair said they returned to the Popeyes and informed staff. According to the lawsuit, the employees laughed and humiliated them.
“Instead of promptly investigating the contamination, preserving evidence, or recognizing the seriousness of the complaint, management repeatedly attempted to replace the contaminated chicken rather than issue a refund,” the lawsuit read. “But only after persistence by the plaintiffs were they finally refunded.”
Howard and McKinnon are seeking over $1.5 million in damages relating to past and future medical/healthcare expenses, past and future physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, lost wages, attorney’s fees, court costs, and prejudgement and postjudgement interest.
Chron has reached out to Popeyes for comment on the lawsuit. Prior to the lawsuit, the alleged incident became public when Houston community activists Candice Matthews and Quanell X recorded themselves confronting the restaurant’s manager.