Pizza chain employee fired over racist pizza label

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (MEDIA GENERAL/WCMH) – A Papa John’s employee has been fired after allegedly writing an insensitive name on the label of a customer’s pizza box.

According to Janice Kim, a member of her church, who is an Asian-American, ordered a pizza from a nearby Papa John’s. When the customer received the pizza, they noticed it said “Ching Ching” where the customer’s name would be listed.

According to Kim, the customer – who wishes to remain anonymous – said management’s response was that was the name they had in their computer system. The customer says they have been at the same residence for 10 years and had ordered pizza from that restaurant in the past without the comment.

Papa John’s has tweeted they apologize for the mistake and are working to make it right with the unnamed customer.

Kim, who is acting as a de facto spokesperson for the customer, says they want to raise awareness of this situation so others can learn from it.

“This is to educate people that we should treat each other as (humans),” Kim said. “Moreover, this incident is a corporation that deals with customers. There needs to be sufficient training. … Have some professionalism. Finally, have some empathy to recognize and comprehend another human being is hurt.”