A KFC outlet was forced to close after a rat ran though a chip service area, prompting a staff member to scream and customers to yell “there’s a rat,” a mother claims.
Chris Knight of the UK Mirror reports the rat, allegedly darted through the chips and quickly disappeared from sight under the fryer.
The Wallsend branch on High Street West was quickly closed temporarily as the fast-food giant scrambled on the “rat issue” the council have confirmed.
Sam, 21, from Wallsend, said: “The rat literally ran across where they put the chips in a bag.
“The woman behind the counter started screaming, and everyone started shouting ‘there’s a rat’.
“Everyone behind the counter was just shocked as we all were.
“They were just stood there scared.
“The floor was absolutely filthy – there would not be a rat if it was clear area, it was absolutely disgusting.
“I’m just happy I didn’t get given my food before, I would have ended up being sick.”
Refunds were issued to customers before all guests including Sam, partner James Butcher and newborn son Tommy, were ushered out as the restaurant closed its doors at about 6pm on October 4, Chronicle Live reports.
Mum-of-one Sam said: “I heard six hours later it was re-opened, which I think is really bad.
“You hear about rats carrying diseases, so why would you re-open that day?
“Even if it came from outside, you should not have a rat in a food restaurant.
“Now this has happened, I will never go back.”
A North Tyneside Council spokesman confirmed KFC contacted Environmental Health and called in pest control before re-opening that evening.
The spokesman said: “KFC proactively informed Environmental Health on October 4 of the appropriate and timely actions they had taken to resolve the rat issue.
“The company closed the premise immediately, disposed of all food on display and called in a pest control contractor.
“A food safety officer visited the premise to confirm that there was no rat activity and that appropriate preventative measures had been taken.”
KFC is yet to comment despite requests.