Restaurant server fired for calling customer 'fatty' on receipt

WARWICK, R.I. (WJAR) - A server at All Stars Bar & Grill in Warwick was fired after he referred to a customer as "fatty" on a receipt, the manager told NBC 10 News.

Two NBC 10 viewers shared a photo of the receipt to the WJAR Facebook page on Wednesday morning, which had originally been posted by the customer, Dillon Arnold.

Arnold told NBC 10 News that he was on the outside patio at All Stars when the server brought him his bill just before 1 a.m.

"I was signing my slip," Arnold said. "I didn't really pay attention to it yet, and then I just happened to read it and I saw it in the corner and I was like, 'Wow,' and my heart just dropped."

The receipt lists the name and address of the restaurant, but doesn't show the server's name.

"I'll never go to All Stars on Airport Road again," the caption on Arnold's photo read. "I usually don't care, but this bs got me offended. (The server) legit id me as 'fatty' then he wouldn't admit it. They lost mine and my friends (sic) business."

Arnold then asked Facebook users to share the photo, which has since gone viral. It generated more than 850 shares and about 100 comments as of 11 p.m. on Wednesday.

Tony Ambrosio, the owner of the restaurant, told NBC 10 the server in question is his 18-year-old son.

Ambrosio said he was furious when he found out about the incident and fired his son immediately. He also said his son is no longer allowed on restaurant property.

"I want to apologize to you, Dillon. From the bottom of my heart. I apologize," Ambrosio said. "That's not the type of person that I am, my employees are, or my child."

Ambrosio also wrote an apology in the comment section of Arnold's Facebook photo, calling the incident "uncalled for" and "unacceptable."

"We sincerely apologize for your negative experience last night," the post read. "It was very unprofessional to say the least. We take full accountability for what occurred and would like to make it up to you. Please call me so I can offer you something for the inconvenience. This should not have happened and my staff will be dealt with right away."

Ambrosio said he and his son have both reached out to Arnold, as they hope to apologize in person.

But Arnold told NBC 10 he's not ready to speak to them.

"He offered me a gift card, but I'd rather just not go there," Arnold said. "It's just so embarrassing."

The restaurant is feeling the brunt of it, as it is being bombarded on social media. A sign apologizing for the incident adorns its doors.

Ambrosio made sure to send a strong statement to everyone.

"That's not me," Ambrosio said. "That's not what I teach my children. Employees or my kids, I hold them all accountable."

As for Arnold, he hopes the ordeal teaches everyone an important lesson.

"People are going to be like that," he said. "Just keep going on with life. It's not really worth stressing the little things."