A Wisconsin man shared a wild “storytime” on TikTok about a moment where a worker refused to serve him at Taco Bell. In a video with 1.3 million views, @officialyoungsage shared his experience trying to get food with friends that led to a tense situation with a worker at an Appleton, Wisconsin, location.
After playing pool with his friends at a local bar, @officialyoungsage drove up to Taco Bell for food. When he arrived at the location, however, there was only one worker—a young woman. When @officialyoungsage pulled up to the drive-thru, the woman apparently said, “I’m not taking any more orders, so have a good day.” At that time, the location he had arrived at was still open, which he mentioned in response.
‘I can’t take your order’
The woman then replied, “They got me here by myself, I’m not doing [expletive] else, you have a good day.” He tried to respond, but she continued to ignore him, saying, “I’m not about to argue about an order. Have a good day.”
@officialyoungsage captured some of the encounter on video, which he posted to his TikTok account. In that clip, he clarified that he used to be a manager at a Taco Bell establishment and that the service worker was incorrect in not taking his order. The worker then told him that he was wrong, and that if “[they] are the only one [there they] can’t take any orders.” He provided corporate policies to back up his claim. The service worker proceeded to say that she “did not care about the corporate policy.”
“It’s our [franchise] policy that I don’t make any food if I’m here by myself. I’m sorry I can’t take your order, have a great day,” she added.
@officialyoungsage saw another car drive up to the Taco Bell window. That customer received service, which left him confused as to why the young woman wouldn’t take his order. He pulled up to the window to ask why he couldn’t be served, but the woman went inside the location to hide away from him.
Taco Bell Corporate Policy
A Reddit thread in response to the video sparked a debate on whether or not it is actually Taco Bell’s corporate policy to refuse service if someone is clocked in on their own.
u/Own-Plastic-44 stated, “Yeah I used to work at Taco Bell, 5+ years. Policy states if there is only one person working that the store is not allowed to be open. At my store we didn’t have this issue on late nights, but definitely early morning.”
In that regard, the Taco Bell location should have been entirely closed.
Other former employees advocated to “give the girl a break,” saying: “No joke—it’s dangerous working at a fast food restaurant at night. Employment law textbooks are full of stories from the ’80s [and] ’90s about teens being murdered working at fast food restaurants alone at night.”
Generally, the takeaway is that one person shouldn’t be expected to run the full line at a Taco Bell establishment by themselves. Still, there may be individual expectations at each store. For example, staying at the location until they’re relieved or additional staff can assist. A single worker may take online orders but refuse to check out anyone in the drive-thru.
Appleton, Wisconsin, Taco Bells
There are only three Taco Bells in Appleton, Wisconsin, with two being considered “in-town,” and the other technically being on the city outskirts. Considering the fact that @officialyoungsage mentioned the location he went to had a Wingstop nearby, it’s likely that the Taco Bell he went to is the 2810 N. Richmond St. location. That location currently has 1.5 stars on Yelp.
A recent reviewer of that location said, “Worst Taco Bell ever. The employees didn’t say one word to us. Just stuck their hand out to give out items I had to honk after getting our food to ask for sauces. The food was literally cold and almost inedible. I don’t advocate for this but the employees during this shift need to go or have better management.”
Another reviewer added, “Both Appleton locations are crap. Went through the drive-thru and was told there was a 40-minute wait because of all their DoorDash orders. Orders aren’t correct and when they are the food is cold. Both locations have went downhill post-COVID. Buy the seasoning packets and sauce at the grocery store and make your own.”
On TikTok, many comments agreed that Appleton’s Taco Bell locations are incredibly unprofessional and lackluster.
@Clara said, “Dude I live in Appleton and both Taco Bells suck.”
@syd added, “The Appleton Taco Bells have got to be the WORST in northeast Wisconsin. Especially the Richmond one. You are so valid sir I HATE placing a mobile order that they WON’T make after I paid.”
Backlash against TikToker
In follow-ups, @officialyoungsage had to address multiple offhanded, racist comments. TikTokers claimed he was “a young Black man that [has] never [worked] a hard job like that ever,” among other complaints. The man clarified that he currently has eight different odd-end jobs. He says he also used to be the manager at a Taco Bell location. Therefore, he knows Taco Bell’s policies and procedures.
@officialyoungsage Shorty was MAD RUDE when I pulled up talm bout some “im not serving nobody so have a good day” im like wtf lmao so I started recording @tacobell get it together man ??#youngsage #fyp #foryou #funny #tacobell ♬ original sound – Young Sage
The Mary Sue has reached out to @officialyoungsage via Tiktok direct message and Taco Bell’s corporate line for comment.
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