Aretha Franklin Gets No Respect At Johnny Rockets
Aretha Franklin says she got no R-E-S-P-E-C-T at a Johnny Rockets in Niagra Falls, Ontario. The Queen of Soul says she was denied seating at a Johnny Rockets restaurant because she had ordered a take-out meal.
Franklin's spokesman said the incident occurred Tuesday, CFTR, Toronto, reported. Franklin had ordered a hamburger following her sold-out performance.
Franklin said the server was "very rude, unprofessional and nasty." She told the singer to go out into the food court even though there were a number of empty tables inside the restaurant, Franklin said.
“No one should be addressed this way, whether a celebrity or not. I told her she can eat and pay for my meal, and left,” Franklin's statement said.
Johnny Rockets apologized, telling the Associated Press the server was "new and very young." However, in an interview with the New York Daily News, Franklin described the waitress as "in her mid-30s."
“I said, ‘Excuse me, what do you mean I can’t sit here?” said Franklin, 72, who was accompanied by her nephew. She said when her nephew told the woman Franklin's identity, the woman said she "didn't care who I was."
The incident occurred at the Fallsview Casino Resort, the Buffalo News reported.
“Over the years I have always enjoyed a burger and cherry Coke and the choreographed dance by waiters and waitresses at Johnny Rockets,” Franklin said.
“This experience in Niagara Falls will not stop my enjoyment of burgers and cherry Cokes, and talking to the classy and friendly people at Johnny Rockets.”
Franklin told the Daily News she didn't think the server should be fired but should be set straight.
“I like Johnny Rockets and I’ll go on liking Johnny Rockets, but not that one,” Franklin said.
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.