Chili’s — owned by Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT) — has issued an apology after a veteran’s free meal was taken away on Veterans Day.
The company was one of the restaurants around the country that offered to give out free meals to any current or past military members who served our country. Texas man Ernest Walker was denied his right to a free meal after a man wearing a Donald Trump shirt questioned the legitimacy of his status as a veteran.
Walker posted a vide on Facebook on Friday that showed a Chili’s manager in Cedar Hill taking his meal away. The Army veteran said that another diner asked whether or not Walker’s uniform was legit, and his meal was taken away before he had a chance to show his military ID and discharge papers.
The outfit in question were the fatigues he wore after being discharged in honor to his service. Walker’s lawyer will meet with the company Monday, which said that it is taking the matter very seriously.
The video shows the manager of the Chili’s and Walker arguing over the legitimacy of his papers and his service dog–the manager refuses to look at his papers and eventually takes his food away, saying he will not answer his questions and imploring Walker to calm down, who simply attempts to prove his military service.
EAT shares gained 2.4% Monday.
