FAIRBANKS, Alaska — A restaurant manager who described expectations from military members for meal discounts as “pathetic” has quit after his Facebook post went viral.
Dusty Westbrook resigned earlier this week from Boston’s The Gourmet Pizza franchise in Fairbanks, which is home to two large military bases.
“I’m sorry YOU signed up for this job you CHOSE to take this filed (sic) YOU picked to work and defend the US I’m sorry you don’t deserve anything,” the post stated.
He also noted other professionals, like police officers and fire fighters, don’t receive similar discounts, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported.
Westbrook didn’t mention Boston’s in the Facebook posting, but his profile did list him as the manager. His Facebook account has since been deleted.
But before that, screen grabs of the post began making the rounds, including in emails to the Boston’s headquarters in Dallas. The post was also shared more than 300 times.
Westbrook on Wednesday told the News-Miner that he volunteered to quit and wasn’t pressured to do so. He said the post was triggered by something he saw on TV after having a few beers.
“I’m one of those people that rants and raves,” he said. “Realizing the next morning what I’d said, I thought, ‘Oh, crap.’”
He apologized for the comment, and said he regretted posting it.
Franchise owner Michael Cervantes received several calls about the post, including from corporate officials.
Boston’s apologized for the post on its own Facebook page, saying it “strong disagrees” with the comment.
“We are deeply sorry that an individual no longer associated with our company made comments online that may have raised any doubts regarding our support for the U.S. Military, as Boston’s has always had the utmost respect and admiration for the men and women serving our country and fighting for our freedom,” the company said.
Katie Beauchamp, the social media coordinator for Boston’s, said company officials discussed the situation with Cervantes but all personnel decisions are made locally.
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