'We Are Suffering': Texas Roadhouse Staff Slam Viral Racist FB Group and Food Tampering Allegations

A Texas Roadhouse staff member in Mississippi has spoken out after viral allegations accusing the steakhouse chain of racist food tampering reportedly hit customer numbers, saying workers are now 'suffering' as the controversy spreads online.

The employee said the branch she worked at has a majority-Black workforce and serves a largely Black clientele, leaving staff worried about the impact of claims that Texas Roadhouse has since described as 'unfounded.'

Staff Slam Viral Racist and Food Tampering Allegations

In a video shared on X by user @ImMeme0, the staff member said business had become unusually quiet following the viral claims.

'I'm at work right now and we are so slow,' she said, adding that the controversy was 'really affecting our clientele'. She said the Mississippi restaurant had a majority-Black staff and clientele, before stressing that employees were being affected financially.

'Whoever made that stupid TikTok, y'all messing with our money,' she said. 'That sh*t is ridiculous.'

The worker urged people to consider the consequences of spreading unverified allegations, saying: 'Putting out false accusations, messing with people's livelihood is not cool.'

Her comments came as social media users continued to debate whether the allegations were genuine.

The Viral Allegation Explained

The controversy stems from a video in which a social media user reads an alleged post attributed to a user named Nancy Smith in a Facebook group called 'White and Proud'.

The post claimed that a private group of more than 400,000 white servers had discussed deliberately contaminating food ordered by Black diners.

The allegations specifically mentioned Texas Roadhouse and Logan's Roadhouse. The purported message claimed servers would lick their fingers and touch food before it was served, including the chain's rolls, and alleged that some kitchen staff were involved.

The screenshot spread rapidly across social media platforms, prompting outrage and calls for a boycott. However, the claims were not accompanied by a verified restaurant location, named employees, or evidence documenting an actual food-tampering incident.

X user @yannaarose_, who initially amplified the allegations, later said, 'Upon further research, this is a hoax,' and apologised for sharing the material.

Texas Roadhouse's Response To Viral Allegations

Following the spread of the allegation, Texas Roadhouse has rejected the claims. As previously reported, the chain said it believed the accusations were 'completely unfounded' while stressing that it takes every allegation against the steakhouse chain seriously.

The company said it does not tolerate discrimination, harassment or mistreatment and expects employees to treat every guest with dignity and care. It also said it was investigating the claims.

Texas Roadhouse has since brought in an independent third-party online forensics firm to trace the origin of the viral post. The company said its investigation, alongside findings from other sources, found no credible evidence supporting the food-tampering allegations.

Texas Roadhouse said in its updated statement: 'The post alleging the targeting of diners and food tampering has been proven as an online hoax. Our third-party online forensics firm, as well as multiple credible online publications have confirmed this is a baseless rumor.'

The chain added: 'We love our communities and we remain committed to providing Legendary Food, Legendary Service to each and every guest we serve.'

With Texas Roadhouse now describing the allegations as a baseless online rumour and a proven hoax, the controversy has nevertheless already affected some employees.

The Mississippi staff member's comments underscore how quickly unverified claims can affect workers and local businesses when they spread across social media.