Marquise Vanzego, a Black customer, was “disgusted” and “humiliated” when he discovered his Chick-fil-A receipt had labeled him as “Monkeys,” a racial slur. The incident occurred on August 23, 2024, at a Maryland drive-thru. Vanzego, who ordered face-to-face, was initially confused when the employee called out a name that didn’t match his.

After clarification, he found the offensive label on his ticket. The store manager apologized and refunded his order, but the franchise owner, who declined to fire the employee (a minor), said the issue was a misunderstanding. Vanzego emphasized the need for consequences for such actions.

Chick-fil-A corporate issued a statement saying the experience was unacceptable…

Vanzego said he sought immediate clarification and spoke with the on-duty manager, who offered an apology and a refund for his order.

Later, he spoke with a store manager who wasn’t present during the incident and declined to publically comment.

In the days following, Vanzego shared his experience on social media platforms, including Facebook. He posted videos and a letter he’d sent to Chick-fil-A corporate about the incident.

Reactions online were mixed – some people expressed sympathy and support, while others questioned the exact cause, suggesting it could have been a miscommunication due to an intercom error.

Yet Vanzego has clarified that he ordered face-to-face with a young male employee, not through an intercom, leaving him doubtful that a technology error was to blame.