A LongHorn Steakhouse location in East Point, Georgia, is under scrutiny following the spread of viral videos that appear to show roaches and food waste in the restaurant's kitchen. The videos were allegedly recorded by an employee who stated he documented the conditions after repeatedly raising concerns with management and the company's corporate offices.
Sean Headley, who began working at the restaurant in April, told FOX 5 Atlanta that he decided to record the footage because he believed the kitchen had become unsafe. "Really, it was the work environment and the conditions that we were working in," Headley stated. "There were a lot of inhumane conditions."
The videos reportedly depict cockroaches crawling across the kitchen floor and food waste scattered throughout the workspace. Headley shared the videos on social media after feeling his concerns were not being addressed.
In response to the videos, LongHorn Steakhouse issued a statement to FOX 5 Atlanta, stating, "The conditions shown are unacceptable and have been addressed." The company added that it is taking necessary steps to ensure a safe environment for guests and employees and has recently appointed new leadership at the restaurant to maintain its standards.
Headley expressed a desire for broader changes beyond this single location, including more frequent health inspections for restaurants owned by Darden Restaurants and improved workplace conditions, such as repairs to broken air conditioning systems.
Fulton County health officials are reportedly planning to revisit the restaurant. According to WSB-TV in Atlanta, the Georgia Department of Public Health last inspected the East Point location on August 25, awarding it a score of 90, or an "A." Inspection records from the previous two years show scores ranging from 88 to 91.
The videos have generated significant discussion online, with many social media users criticizing the reported kitchen conditions and questioning the previous inspection results.