A Chick-fil-A in North Carolina has been called out for recruiting volunteers and offering to pay them with chicken vouchers.
Look, free food at work is a sure-fire way to brighten up the dullest of weeks, but it absolutely isn't an alternative to being paid.
Even if that payment is in the form of delicious chicken sandwiches.
However, an initiative from one branch of the fast food chain looked to be doing just that.
Advert
In a now-deleted Facebook post, the brand said: "We are looking for volunteers for our new Drive Thru Express! Earn 5 free entrées per shift (1 hr) worked. Message us for details."
And, naturally, people were quick to criticise the call for workers, with one saying: "Don't think there are too many landlords around that will accept sandwiches as a form of rent payment."
Another said: "Slave labor much?!!!"
Advert
Someone else was baffled that an eight hour shift would apparently result in 40 chicken sandwiches and advised the volunteers to be entrepreneurial: "5 chicken sandwiches per hour X 8hrs = 40 sandwiches that’s $3 per sandwich let’s set up in parking lot to cut the line $5 a sandwich that’s $200 a day."
A fourth said: "Is this for real? Who would do that? They are making tons of $$ let them hire people at a decent wage. I would never even eat there."
Yes, it is indeed real because the brand themselves responded.
Advert
Issuing a statement about the programme, store owner Joel Benson said: "Thanks for everyone’s concern on this matter.
"After carefully reviewing claims and other details brought to our attention, we have decided to stop this program and not move forward in the future.
"We are always looking for a fun and creative ways to engage our community.
"Unfortunately, we brought unnecessary negativity and misplaced regional/national attention to our town instead.
Advert
"I apologise for this and will continue to make all efforts to treat our guests with honour, dignity, and respect."
So take it the brand won't be forking out vouchers for 'volunteer' shifts anytime soon.
UNILAD has contacted Chick-fil-A for comment.
If you have a story you want to tell, send it to UNILAD via [email protected]
Topics: Food and Drink, News, US News, Money, Twitter