Typically, when R&B divas have beef, it usually involves other R&B singers. But in Aretha Franklin’s case, her recent beef was with a Johnny Rocket’s employee over a literal patty of beef.
According to The Buffalo News, The Queen of Soul visited a Johnny Rockets restaurant on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls after performing at a sold out show. Franklin reportedly ordered a takeout burger and then began eating it at the restaurant.
That’s when a Johnny Rockets’ employee began yelling at her, saying she couldn’t sit down and eat her burger because she ordered it takeout.
“You can’t sit here because you ordered for takeout,” said the Johnny Rockets server, according to a statement Franklin released through a rep. “You can only stand in the perimeter.”
“The woman was very rude, unprofessional and nasty — certainly not the appropriate face for Johnny Rockets,” Franklin said in the statement. “No one should be addressed this way, whether a celebrity or not. I told her she can eat and pay for my meal, and left.”
A spokesperson for Johnny Rockets released a statement about the incident, calling the employee “a new and very young employee.” The rep says the owner of the Johnny Rockets branch spoke to the employee and clarified his takeout policies.
Despite the incident, Franklin says she will continue to be a patron at Johnny Rockets in the future.
“Over the years I have always enjoyed a burger and cherry Coke and the choreographed dance by waiters and waitresses at Johnny Rockets,” Franklin said. “This experience in Niagara Falls will not stop my enjoyment of burgers and cherry Cokes, and talking to the classy and friendly people at Johnny Rockets.”
Clearly the young employee didn’t know who he was yelling at that night, but we’re glad that this beef has quickly been cooked and thrown in the trash. – nicholas robinson
