Woman says Popeye’s employees ripped her hair out because she complained about wrong order

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ATLANTA — An Atlanta woman is filing a lawsuit against Popeye’s and several employees of the location she visited last September.

Denetra Dawson says she went to the Popeye’s on Cleveland Ave. to get dinner for her children. She says her order was wrong, so she went to the drive-thru to have it fixed, but says the employees inside weren’t listening to her.

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Dawson says she pulled up to the window and employees began yelling at her because she was holding up the timed drive-thru.

One of the employees then came outside, opened Dawson’s passenger door, climbed into her car and began attacking her. Dawson says the employee ripped her hair out of her scalp, leaving a large bald spot.

Police identified the three employees involved in attack as manager Tenister Evans and her sister and daughter. The other two employees have not been identified.

“They recovered and saw her braid that they ripped out and said we ripped that ‘B’s’ hair out of her head,” attorney Mawuli Davis said.

“It took my identity. I took pride in my hair,” Dawson said. “I didn’t even think I was going to make it back to my kids.”

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A representative for Popeye’s Restaurants released a statement that read:

“We have absolutely no tolerance for violence of any kind in Popeyes restaurants. The franchisee of this restaurant confirmed the incident took place in September 2022, and the employees involved were immediately terminated. We cannot share any additional details as there is an active lawsuit related to this incident.”

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All three women were charged with battery, but Evans received an additional charge of obstruction of an officer.

Channel 2 Action News found that Evans has been arrested for assault several times before. Channel 2 Action News found at least four other mugshots of Evans.

“I just pray that what happened to me doesn’t happen to anyone else and that I get justice,” Dawson said.

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