Fast-Food Workers Face Growing Risks as Customer Violence Escalates

Customer aggression toward workers is escalating, with multiple recent incidents highlighting the growing threat of workplace violence. In Memphis, Tennessee, Kaitlin Brantley was arrested after climbing through a McDonald’s drive-thru window to attack a manager over a dispute about her order. Brantley, who has a history of assault, was previously charged for a 2023 attack on a Cheddar’s restaurant employee. Authorities say her latest actions could lead to her bond being revoked.

In another Memphis incident, an Arby’s employee, Kendra Irvin, was allegedly attacked by a customer who was dissatisfied with his meal. When she defended herself, Irvin was fired for violating company policy. No arrests have been made in her case. Meanwhile, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, a McDonald’s employee was stabbed on the job by someone he knew, and in Portland, Oregon, a bookstore employee and a police officer were assaulted by a suspect wielding an umbrella and a can of soda.

These attacks underscore the risks faced by frontline workers and raise concerns about safety policies in customer service roles. As authorities investigate, businesses may need to reevaluate their approach to employee protection and conflict management.