Olive Garden restaurant apologized to a police officer after one of their employees asked him to leave because he had a gun with him.
According to Officer Michael Holsworth, he was supposed to celebrate his birthday at Olive Garden with his family, but while waiting for them, an employee approached him and said that guns are not allowed in the establishment.
A decorated Missouri cop was kicked out of an Olive Garden on his birthday because of his gun http://t.co/Ci245UYiBo pic.twitter.com/spYKITOjY1
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) October 13, 2015
He thought that the Olive Garden employee was joking but quickly realized that he wasn’t when he was still asked to leave. “I had hoped to simply enjoy an uninterrupted birthday meal with my family. I never believed I would be asked to leave a public restaurant because I was in full police uniform, which requires me to carry my duty weapon,” Holsworth said. Holsworth took to social media and posted the Olive Garden incident on Facebook. “Please share this post and let everyone know how this establishment is treating their local law enforcement,” he said.
The Olive Garden manager, spokesperson, and president took action immediately after the post went viral. One of the managers already spoke with Kansas City Police Chief Daryl Forte regarding the incident and assured them they are investigating the matter. “She was very concerned and shared (police officers) are welcome there,” Forte tweeted. “Facts are being gathered.”
.@kcpolice I spoke with1of the managers @olivegarden. She was very concerned and shared POs are welcome there. Facts are being gathered. — chiefforte (@ChiefForte) October 11, 2015
Rich Jeffers, an Olive Garden media spokesperson said that they don’t have any policy refusing law enforcers and that they are always welcome in the restaurant.
“We apologize for any misunderstanding that might have taken place. It’s unacceptable, that’s what it is. Olive Garden welcomes members of law enforcement all the time in the restaurants. We love serving them. They serve our community. The least we can do is provide them a great meal,” Jeffers said.
According to Jeffers, Olive Garden chain president, Dave George, reached out already to Holsworth so he could apologize personally.