Police have launched an investigation after a restaurant displayed a sign claiming that they can "refuse service to white people".
According to Daily Mail, the sign appeared outside of a Popeyes branch in Lake St. Louis, Missouri.
Watch this news report on the sign in the video below:The sign, which was taped to the front of the outside menu of the restaurant's drive-through, reads:
"This restaurant is under new management and will reserve the right to refuse service to white people. We apologize for any inconvenience. Signed, General Manager Mason."
An image of the sign was later shared on social media by a passerby, who wrote: "My local friends......call them and complain 636- 625-1172.
"I called they are privately owned. I was unable to get the [owner's] name or number. This is the Popeyes at 6475 Ronald Reagan Dr., Lake St. Louis, MO 63367. If you're Caucasian you may not get chicken at this restaurant."
Daily Mail reports that as a result of the public backlash caused by the sign, the restaurant was forced to close early on Wednesday, May 26.
Not only that, but the manager of the restaurant has pleaded ignorance of the sign, telling local news outlet KMOV 4 that: "It was nobody at the store that posted that."
Daily Mail reports police officers investigating the eatery for its alleged racial prejudice have since confirmed that the sign was not made by employees, and is possibly the fault of either vandals or pranksters.
Back in 2019, a Popeyes employee provoked controversy when they were filmed body-slamming a customer:In an official statement, a spokesperson for Popeyes has responded to the news of the sign by claiming that: "We have been made aware of the situation and are investigating the matter immediately."
They added: "This type of behavior does not align with our brand values and we take such allegations very seriously. The franchise is cooperating with local authorities regarding this ongoing investigation."
This isn't the first time that Popeyes has incurred controversy. Back in November of 2019, a customer filmed a shocking video that appeared to show an underage boy working in the kitchen of a restaurant in Dallas, Texas.