A Popeyes restaurant in Detroit has been forced to shut its doors after a disturbing viral video surfaced showing a rat crawling over fried chicken inside the store’s food display case. The footage quickly circulated online, drawing outrage from customers and sparking a full-scale investigation by health authorities.
In response to the public backlash, the on-duty manager was immediately terminated. According to reports, the young manager had only recently started working at the location and was left in charge during the incident.
“I had just started. I didn’t know things were that bad,” the former manager said in an interview, expressing shock and regret over the conditions caught on camera.
The local health department swiftly intervened, citing multiple health code violations and ordering the restaurant’s closure pending a thorough inspection and sanitation overhaul.
This incident has raised serious concerns about food safety standards in fast food chains and prompted calls for stricter oversight. Community members say trust has been broken. “You come here expecting to eat, not to see a rat having dinner before you,” said one angry customer.
Popeyes corporate has yet to release a full statement, but sources say an internal audit of other locations may be underway to prevent future incidents.
The restaurant remains closed until further notice.