Popeye's likes to close early
I stopped at a Popeye’s (the store at the corner of US 90 and Lafayette St. in Gretna, Louisiana) last night (6-13-03) and noticed that there appeared to be 8 or 9 vehicles in line for the drive-through. Space there is very limited there, and the line extended out into the street and was blocking traffic. It is located at a very, very busy intersection, and I didn’t feel safe sitting stopped in traffic waiting for the Popeye’s drive-through line to move forward so that I could get out of the street. Fearing that I would be rear-ended, I pulled out of the line, parked, and went to the door intending to order inside. The door was locked. A large decal sign on the window beside the door said “Lobby hours” on Fridays and Saturdays is 10:00 A.M. to 12 midnight. I then went around to the other side. The same sign listing daily business hours was also next to that door, which was also locked.

From outside, I could see the manager, a male, and two female employees. One of the females was apparently – and very leisurely – handling the drive-through. The other was drinking a cold drink and idly chatting with the manager, whose back was toward me. The girl with the drink looked up at me and looked to the manager and motioned toward the door where I was knocking with her eyes, and subtly pointed with one finger toward me. As I knocked and pointed to the daily business hours chart, the manager turned away and stepped out of sight behind the counter. The girl just stood there and said, “We’re closed,” then looked away and ignored me. I then went to KFC.

This is the third time I have gone there and found it closed early. Earlier last week I arrived about 10:45 P.M. to find it closed. The posted chart indicates that closing time during the week is 11:00 P.M. This also happened once many months ago. In other words, I have been there three times during regular business hours and all three times that store was unexplainably closed.

The incident last night was particularly galling not only because your employees were so rude, but even more so because I pass there at least twice daily and am often needlessly delayed trying to get passed Popeye’s. Now I realize it is because the lazy employees there take it upon themselves to close whenever they like (while remaining on the clock), thus forcing walk-in customers into the inadequate drive-through line, and thereby causing terrible a traffic hazard at an already dangerous intersection.

It already appears that Popeye’s #1036 does not care about customers. Hopefully, however, they will be concerned about the resulting liability from the next accident they cause.    [14 Jun 2003 16:31:01]

Food: -   Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 

     ­Anonymous