More: Missouri sues over new Biden administration COVID-19 vaccine rules for private sector That employee could not corroborate this account because she still works at the Burger King. "We discussed the issues observed and determined that another visit was warranted to determine compliance."īefore that follow-up visit, workers also claimed that upper management encouraged employees to not get tested for COVID-19 when they were exposed - even allegedly forcing one employee to work after receiving a positive COVID test. Inspectors did find that the Burger King's condition warranted another visit, which will take place on Dec. "The floors in food preparation area (especially under equipment and near drains), walk-in refrigerator and freezer and dry storage areas were not clean," it read. Inspectors also noted the continued uncleanliness of the establishment, but did not describe mold or overflowing sewage. The inspector observed a drain cleaning tool "stuck between the bottom two trays of plastic wrapped hamburger buns." These items were discarded at the inspector's request. Despite being cleaned, there was still a "moderate buildup" of grease on the kitchen's product hold unit. The new inspection on Tuesday found two "priority violations" at the Burger King. I wouldn’t want that served to me.”Ĭorroborated by photographs provided to the News-Leader, all three drains in the kitchen were clogged and “overflowing with sewage water.” Springer also claimed the restaurant's bathroom facilities often did not work.īased on a video provided to the News-Leader, the ceiling often leaked - with one worker claiming the dripping water would fall into the tea given to customers. But we're not going to serve people stuff that’s been around stuff covered in mold. “Black mold is everywhere, where our main station is, where the grills are, where the cups are stored in the kitchen above the sink,” said worker Michael Daniels. According to her, the working conditions there were much worse than she had ever experienced.īlack mold was nearby the kitchen’s dish shelf and it covered the lids of three freezers holding fries and onion rings, she said. Springer said she was an employee of Burger King for six years, but only moved to the National location in September. More: Greene County restaurant inspections for Nov. “My employees were trying their best to do something about all the filth and everything else, but it was always no appreciation for what we did.” I was being told to open that store anyway,” said Victoria Springer, a former manager of the Burger King location. The sewage problems alone, according to health department guidelines - I can’t open the store. “I didn’t want my name associated with what was going on.
A recent health inspection did not find the same violations, but a reinspection is scheduled at the request of the employees. Photos and videos provided to the News-Leader by former employees appear to corroborate the claims. Yelling “black mold in the kitchen,” to cars waiting in the drive-through, a half-dozen former Burger King employees picketed Monday outside the fast-food restaurant after walking off the job last week.Īccording to the accounts of several picketers, staff at the Cherry and National Street Burger King were forced to work in a kitchen filled with black mold and sewage overflowing drains.