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February 1st, 2013, 07:49 GMT · By

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Applebee's Fires Waitress Posting Pastor's Tip Complaint [Updated]

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Mystery “pastor” complains about tip on receipt, gets waitress fired Enlarge picture - Mystery “pastor” complains about tip on receipt, gets waitress fired
Yesterday, I reported that someone uploaded a photo of a receipt on Reddit, in which a complaint was written down.

The receipt, posted above, includes a message allegedly written by a pastor. It appears that, as it went viral, the waitress that uploaded the receipt online lost her job. She tells Consumerist that her name is Chelsea, and she is a former employee at Applebee's.

“I thought the note was insulting, but it was also comical. [...] I posted it to Reddit because I thought other users would find it entertaining,” she explains.

“I’ve been stiffed on tips before, but this is the first time I’ve seen the Big Man has been used as reasoning. [...] If this person wrote the note, obviously they wanted it seen by someone… It’s strange to me that now that the audience is wider than just the server, the person is now ashamed,” she comments.

In her original post, Chelsea included a signature of the mystery “pastor,” fueling Redditors' imagination, who tried to identify him. Applebee’s received a complaint from him about having his name plastered online, and the company decided to terminate the waitress.

Do you think that restaurant chain owners were in the right letting go of Chelsea? Don't forget to leave your opinion in the comments section below.

[Update, February 8 2013]: The blog post above erroneously states that the pastor mentioning God on an Applebee's receipt is a man. An investigation has revealed that Alois Bell is a female pastor. According to Patheos, she heads the World Deliverance Ministries Church in St. Louis.


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READER COMMENTS:


Comment #1 by: danishjones on 01 Feb 2013, 08:20 UTC reply to this comment

No way. That guy should have been called out. Everyone knows that waitpersons get low wages and they depend on tips - especillay after serving large groups. What he did was commit petty theft and Applebees stuck with him instead of supporting their hard-workign and dedicated staff. I will boycott Applebees.

Comment #1.1 by: jagfan on 01 Feb 2013, 11:17 GMT

I am with you,not eating there anymore!!

Comment #1.2 by: cassie on 01 Feb 2013, 11:29 GMT

NO SHE SHOULD NOT GET FIRED. 18% IS NORMAL FOR A GROUP . HE IS JUST PLAIN CHEAP.

Comment #1.3 by: cc on 01 Feb 2013, 17:22 GMT

why boycott applebee's?? they fired the employee and took the right steps.. you shouldn't punish a company for one mistake.

Comment #1.4 by: Nick on 01 Feb 2013, 21:33 GMT

How did a party of 8 get out with paying 34 some odd bucks?

Comment #1.5 by: LordLover on 16 Feb 2013, 06:33 GMT

Although I only go to AppleBee's about once every month or two I will not go back if she isn't reinstated. I agree that the waitress should not have showed the signature of the Joke of of a preacher but she shouldn't have been fired over it.

All of these piece of * pastors that use god for their own gain. I did a job one day for the pastor of a church that wanted me to sign a reciept with the amount left blank for the work I had done. He needed to show the church board how much he paid to get refunded. I laughed to myself as I signed the blank receipt knowing this conman was screwing over his FOLLOWERS. Now anytime someone that is affiliated with a church that wants a bid for my service gets the same response..... sorry I'm busy!


Comment #2 by: jagfan on 01 Feb 2013, 11:15 UTC reply to this comment

Will never eat at Applebees again!!!!Everybody should Boycott them !! Hope they fire that so called pastor!


Comment #3 by: Bad Waiters Earn More Tips on 01 Feb 2013, 12:14 UTC reply to this comment

waiters earn more tips


Comment #4 by: Stefan on 01 Feb 2013, 13:27 UTC reply to this comment

Pastor Bell was just using an excuse to not leave a tip. This is EXACTLY why most restaurants have the minimum tipping policy on parties over 8; so the waitress doesn't spend an inordinate amount of time being run around and neglecting her other customers, to get stiffed on the check. I doubt very much that Pastor Bell left a $6 cash tip, she's just trying to cover herself. I, nor anyone in my family will eat at Applebee's again!


Comment #5 by: Rob on 01 Feb 2013, 13:34 UTC reply to this comment

The simple answer is God doesn't wait tables!!

Comment #5.1 by: Sanity on 01 Feb 2013, 15:37 GMT

or pay rent.


Comment #6 by: regularguy on 01 Feb 2013, 14:08 UTC reply to this comment

They say that the customer is always right so the employee gets the shaft. I figure that the Pastor intended some people to see their message and they knowingly have no control over whom may see the financial document. Bad Choice for Applebee’s.. My wife and i met on a blind date at Applebee’s and so its kind of our place but no more. Will boycott Applebee’s


Comment #7 by: Veteran Waitress on 01 Feb 2013, 14:32 UTC reply to this comment

Of course not. This person simply exposed this cheapskate for what they really are. Shame on them for hiding behind a vale of religion. Good luck being judged on that one when it comes time.


Comment #8 by: Raquel on 01 Feb 2013, 17:29 UTC reply to this comment

I cannot understand how a "person of God" could be so unfeeling and sarcastic towards a hard-working person. I, also, will not go to Applebee's again.


Comment #9 by: god as excuse on 01 Feb 2013, 18:04 UTC reply to this comment

pastor should be defrocked


Comment #10 by: a server too on 01 Feb 2013, 19:13 UTC reply to this comment

I am a server and understand why the company fired the server for posting the information. You cannot post information which will come back to the company in any way. I am also a christian who believes that when God asks for our money it is to bless others. The pastor did a disservice to God writing that. She could have had a bigger impact by giving her a better tip than expected and leaving her a bible or leaflet about her church. Shame on the pastor for not spreading God's good news about being giving with our blessings. Now she has confirmed what some people believe about churches that they are corrupt and only want your money.


Comment #11 by: Displeased on 01 Feb 2013, 19:14 UTC reply to this comment

I would boycott Applebee's, hope the 18% the pastor did not want to pay which ultimately got Chelsea fired get her to the gates of hell. Applebee's should rehire Chelsea.


Comment #12 by: Nicodemus on 01 Feb 2013, 19:27 UTC reply to this comment

Dramatic lack of sensitivity on the part of this pastor. From what I've read the pastor was regretful about the attention brought to herself and her 'church' with no consideration for getting someone fired.


Comment #13 by: joeg on 01 Feb 2013, 19:35 UTC reply to this comment

I think it was in insult from both the pastor and Applebee's, being a waitress is hard enough, and notes like that coming from a pastor and your employer not backing you up. What message does that give!!!


Comment #14 by: Chuck on 01 Feb 2013, 19:41 UTC reply to this comment

I think the alleged pastor and Applebee's decision to fire the waitress were both wrong. The only person who did her job correctly was the waitress, and she's the one who got fired. Shame on the alleged pastor and Applebee's!


Comment #15 by: jenny on 01 Feb 2013, 19:44 UTC reply to this comment

she shouldn't be fired


Comment #16 by: tbaby on 01 Feb 2013, 20:16 UTC reply to this comment

For conscience' sake - As a matter of conscience, or of "duty to God," because "he" has appointed it, and made it necessary and proper. A good citizen yields obedience because it is the will of God; and a Christian makes it a part of his religion to maintain and obey the just laws of the land.


Comment #17 by: Sickandtiredofcomplainers on 01 Feb 2013, 20:24 UTC reply to this comment

Religious Right - Tea Party - Must be a connection there as they have shown that they think that our working poor are always trying to get something for nothing! I wonder if he expects an extra payment (tip) from his members for doing a "service" for them like a funneral or wedding? Is it not Applebees Policy - not the Waitress' that added the tip percentage?


Comment #18 by: Lisa on 01 Feb 2013, 20:28 UTC reply to this comment

This young woman should NOT have been fired. The pastor should stand on the words that he/she wrote. No need to throw the rock and hide your hand. A true man or woman of God should have thanked the young woman for what she did and asked God to humble him/her (the Pastor) in order that another "lapse in judgment" is not likely to happen. I don't see Pastor Bell displaying the love of Christ by telling on this young woman. Shame on you Pastor Bell. I'll be boycotting Applebees as well, even though my daughter works for them.


Comment #19 by: rosa uk on 03 Feb 2013, 21:07 UTC reply to this comment

No way, it was a joke and in any case, the pastor clearly knew his comment was unacceptable and wrong. If he cannot defend/stand by his words then he shouldn't have written them.
Definite sense of humour failure on behalf on the restaurant.
Shame on them-and 'a man of god'-that this girl lost her job in this way.


Comment #20 by: CarolG on 11 Feb 2013, 15:19 UTC reply to this comment

Please give the waitress job back, Pastor was wrong and mean. I hope she
never has a good night sleep. Carol G.


Comment #21 by: kat on 17 Feb 2013, 17:39 UTC reply to this comment

I say this has gone to far. Waitresses may depend on that money, but the truth is they do not claim it all in their taxes. Every person I know that is a waitress has told me how they only claim 10% of what they make from the tips. So they are short changing the government then.


Comment #22 by: AppleDeez...Deez nuts on 16 Mar 2013, 10:07 UTC reply to this comment

im not going there to eat anymore, they definitely don't give a * about their employees at all

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