Denny's Sued for $4 Million After Black Truckers Allege Racial Discrimination and Denial of Service

Lawsuit Filed Against Denny's

• 🎯 Two Black truck drivers, Damon Whitfield and Hector Madera, have filed a federal lawsuit seeking $4 million each in damages.
• 📌 The lawsuit alleges they were denied service and harassed at a Denny's location in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
• 🗓️ The incident occurred on August 13, 2023, when the drivers stopped at a Pilot Flying J gas station.

Allegations of Discrimination

• 🗣️ The drivers claim they were told to leave by a waitress after attempting to order food, despite not causing any disturbance.
• 🚫 They allege the waitress refused to serve them and threatened to call the police.
• 📹 Video footage appears to show the confrontation, with the drivers questioning why they were being asked to leave.

911 Call and Manager's Involvement

• 📞 The 911 call was made by the regional manager, Mike Fletcher, who was not present at the scene.
• ⚠️ Fletcher described the drivers as "confrontational and argumentative" and "refused to leave," a statement later questioned as he was not an eyewitness.
• 🤝 It was revealed that Mike Fletcher is the significant other of the waitress involved in the initial alleged encounter.

Denny's Response and Investigation

• 🏢 Denny's stated they are committed to inclusion and conducted a "thorough third party investigation."
• 👨‍⚖️ As a result, the franchise owner fired Fletcher, and employees were to undergo dedicated training.
• 🤷 The drivers' attorney, Erica Wilson, called the company's statement a "half apology," emphasizing that "You can't train a racist."

Legal Claims and Seeking Justice

• ⚖️ The amended lawsuit accuses Denny's Corporation, WKS Restaurant Group, Pilot Flying J, and Fletcher of explicit racial discrimination.
• ✊ The plaintiffs claim their rights to contract and public accommodation were violated, leading to public embarrassment, humiliation, and emotional distress.
• 📈 They are seeking a jury trial for compensatory and punitive damages, aiming to hold the defendants accountable and deter future discrimination.