TikToker Suspended From Job After Video Shows Rats In DC Popeyes

WASHINGTON, DC — A TikToker who blew the whistle on a rat-infested Popeyes in the Eastern Market neighborhood of Washington, D.C., was suspended from his job delivering chicken to D.C. area restaurants and is now holding a fundraiser to help pay the bills.

Ricardo Land’s viral TikTok video, posted on Oct. 11, shows rats scurrying around a Popeyes restaurant's kitchen. In the video, which has more than 2 million views, Land says he delivers raw chicken to Popeyes restaurants.

The video shows rats crawling across the floor and up the walls of the restaurant's kitchen. At one point, Land turns the phone on himself and says, "You still love that chicken from Popeyes?"

In response to the health safety issues at the restaurant, Popeyes said the Eastern Market location will remain closed indefinitely.

The video also caught the attention of a D.C. lawmaker. "Absolutely not is right! @_DCHealth inspected and closed this site yesterday," Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen tweeted last Saturday after watching the video.

An Oct. 28 health inspection report showed a total of 17 violations at the Popeyes, on 8th St. SE, including rat droppings outside near the grease bin. However, the violation that forced the restaurant to shut down was improper temperatures in the walk-in fridge and freezer where raw chicken and other potentially hazardous foods are stored, Washingtonian reported.

Popeyes said it is taking action to terminate the franchise agreement with this restaurant operator in Eastern Market.

"This Franchisee only operates this one location, and it is being closed indefinitely," Popeyes said in an emailed statement to Patch Friday. "This single restaurant does not reflect our strong food safety and cleanliness standards across Popeyes.”

The restaurant chain also said it is cooperating in the chicken distributor’s investigation into the matter raised by the TikTok video. Popeyes said it has been "ensured by the vendor that their employee who posted the fundraising page has always been receiving his full pay."

"He is not a Popeyes employee, nor that of the Franchisee, and decisions regarding his suspension are handled by his employer," Popeyes said.

On the GoFundMe site, Land describes how the suspension from his job is affecting his family of five.

“Hello everyone I have been suspended from my job due to exposure of the Popeyes franchise due to a swarm of rats in the place,” Land writes on GoFundMe. “I will not be able to afford rent food or any other necessities to keep my home. I ask that you beautiful people to please donate what you can and it will be ever so grateful from my family to yours.”

Land also thanked people for their support on TikTok. “I will follow everyone of you back as soon as I can,” he said.

Land is hoping that his suspension ends and that he can return to his job, his attorney told Patch.

For more information or to donate money to Land's fundraiser, visit his GoFundMe site.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.

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