Dunkin’ employees refused to serve Iowa cop, police sergeant says. They’ve been fired

Two Dunkin’ employees have reportedly been fired after they refused to serve a Des Moines, Iowa, police sergeant.

Sgt. Paul Parizek said he has been a loyal customer to the Dunkin’ location for two years but will not return after the incident, he said on KXNO’s “Morning Rush” radio show.

He was not in uniform, but was wearing a “thin blue line” hat. The thin blue line flag “is meant to represent the men and women in blue standing as a line between law and order, proponents say, and it’s been hung as a show of police pride and solidarity,” according to NPR.

Prior to placing his coffee and doughnuts order, Parizek was stopped.

“We are not going to serve you today,” an employee said, Parizek recalled.

Parizek said he thought the woman was joking, but she repeated her statement. When he asked why, the employee looked up at her hat, the sergeant said.

Now Parizek wonders if employees at the location have done anything to the coffee he previously ordered.

“No one can guarantee me they haven’t been doing something to those products these last four months,” Parizek said in the interview.

He said he left the store and has talked to a store manager, the local franchisee and corporate offices. Parizek is not calling for a boycott but said he’s “definitely going to make sure cops know so they can avoid it.”

A Dunkin’ spokesperson told KWWL and KCCI two employees have been fired due to the incident.

“The employees’ behavior is not consistent with Dunkin’s goal of creating an inclusive, welcoming environment for all our of guests,” the statement read. “Additionally, Dunkin’ respects the efforts of our police force as they work to maintain a safe community for all of us. The franchise owner, who independently owns and operates this restaurant, informs us that the two individuals responsible have been terminated. The franchise owner has also connected with the police officer to apologize for the experience.”

This story was originally published August 5, 2020 at 1:29 PM with the headline "Dunkin’ employees refused to serve Iowa cop, police sergeant says. They’ve been fired."