The chain explained its decision to protect guests' personal info

Feb 1, 2013 15:51 GMT  ·  By

Facebook users are furious, and loyal customers have vowed never to set foot in an Applebee's again, after the chain has fired a waitress over posting a receipt online.

As I detailed, the waitress uploaded a picture of a receipt signed by a pastor, who explained he didn't want to tip 18 percent, as he only gives God 10 percent. She was fired for revealing his identity by including his signature in the post.

As the story broke, Applebee's published what some dub a lousy apology on their Facebook account.

“We wish this situation hadn't happened. Our Guests’ personal information—including their meal check—is private, and neither Applebee’s nor its franchisees have a right to share this information publicly. We value our Guests’ trust above all else.

“Our franchisee has apologized to the Guest and has taken disciplinary action with the Team Member for violating their Guest’s right to privacy,” they wrote.

Most of the 19,000 comments the post received supported the waitress, asking for her reinstatement, Daily Dot notes.

What's your take on the matter? Leave your opinion in the comment 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. As noted by my readers in the comments section, Alois Bell is a female pastor. According to Patheos, she heads the World Deliverance Ministries Church in St. Louis.