ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / NEWS

Employees of Fast Food Chain Hit Back at Policy Forcing Them to Buy Overpriced Work Jackets

One TikTok user went viral with a video showing him shivering outside while refusing to spend $60 on an official work jacket.
PUBLISHED APR 14, 2024
Cover Image Source: Chick-fil-A faces backlash over uniform policy | TikTok | @coolkid._3
Cover Image Source: Chick-fil-A faces backlash over uniform policy | TikTok | @coolkid._3

Fastfood chains and restaurants are already facing scrutiny by consumers and experts who are asking why they won't pay better wages to employees so that they can reduce dependence on tips. Now Chick-fil-A, known for its exceptional customer service and quality food, is facing flak for its policy requiring employees to purchase branded outerwear for outdoor work duties. Recent complaints from workers shed light on the challenges faced by employees who are refusing to pay for the company's "overpriced" uniform jackets.

A Chick-fil-A restaurant sign | Getty Images | Photo by Brandon Bell
A Chick-fil-A restaurant sign | Getty Images | Photo by Brandon Bell

Social media platforms like TikTok and Reddit have become platforms for Chick-fil-A employees to voice their concerns. One TikToker, known as DJ (@coolkid._3), went viral with a video showing him shivering outside while refusing to spend $60 on an official work jacket. His post garnered over 10.3 million views, sparking conversations about the fairness of Chick-fil-A's uniform policy.

TikTok | @coolkid._3
TikTok | @coolkid._3

According to DJ's account, management required him to remain outside for three hours despite the cold weather, which he described as "trifling." Many viewers questioned the company's decision to mandate outdoor work without providing adequate clothing to employees, especially considering the uniform requirements. A Reddit user shared their discontent, revealing that workers are compelled to purchase the company's jackets to avoid freezing while working outside. Some employees reported that their stores allowed alternatives like plain black or red jackets but others felt pressured to buy the official gear.

A Chick-fil-A restaurant | Getty Images | Photo by
A Chick-fil-A restaurant | Getty Images | Photo by Brandon Bell

Chick-fil-A's official apparel website offers a range of outerwear options, including pullovers, parkas, and rain jackets, priced between $29 and $161.50. In response to the backlash, some Chick-fil-A employees shared contrasting experiences. One of them claimed that their store provided all clothing free of charge, raising questions about inconsistencies in uniform policies across locations. Others suggested seeking guidance from state regulations and workers' rights organizations to address the issue.

TikTok | @coolkid._3
TikTok | @coolkid._3

Amidst the controversy, comparisons were drawn to other food service businesses that offer more inclusive uniform policies. For example, a TikToker mentioned Dutch Bros which provides jackets for employees to wear free of cost. On TikTok, users engaged in a lively discussion about Chick-fil-A's uniform policy, particularly regarding the provision of jackets for employees working outdoors. One user, @patii, expressed surprise at the lack of jackets available for borrowing, asking, "They don’t give you guys jackets to borrow?" Another user, @Tyler-durden, suggested a workaround for obtaining a jacket, advising, "Go to the doctor for 'cold-related injury' and call say it happened at work. They can buy a jacket or they can pay a medical bill whichever is cheaper." @Emkay chimed in, sharing their negative experience working at Chick-fil-A, stating, "That’s why I quit lmao. Hated it there." @jammmoneymoving criticized Chick-fil-A's failure to provide jackets for its employees, exclaiming, "A million dollar company, can’t give its employees jackets, to work their DRIVE THRU!" @DJ · Creator echoed this sentiment, questioning the company's financial priorities, "Exactly what I was thinking… like is the money that bad they can’t supply jackets?"


@coolkid._3

They left me outside for 3hrs yesterday… ts was trifling 🙄

♬ original sound

 

As the debate continues, Chick-fil-A faces mounting pressure to reevaluate its uniform policy and ensure that employees are not unfairly burdened with additional expenses. The outcome of this discourse could have implications for labor practices within the fast-food industry as a whole.

For more such content, you can follow @coolkid._3 on TikTok.

MORE ON MARKET REALIST
The co-founders of Y'all Sweet Tea blew away the Sharks with their incredible numbers.
14 hours ago
From his lips to his bald head, Harvey has to defends all sort of jabs.
19 hours ago
The woman who gifted the painting to the owners had earlier sold it to another dealer as she couldnt sleep at night.
2 days ago
When it came to naming something of Harvey they would want to touch, the players didn't hold back
2 days ago
Rick Harrison's go to expert warned him not to touch it with a "10 foot pole."
2 days ago
The massive manufacturer has been operational for more than a hundred years now.
3 days ago
While the player was overwhelmed with emotion, host, Drew Carey was left hanging for a handshake.
5 days ago
Turns out, the guest's father was the renowned artist, Demetrios Jameson.
5 days ago
While the player, Rodney Flippen took the loss on the chin, fans were left heartbroken.
6 days ago
Harvey was stunned to see that Lisa would risk her marriage to get the top answer.
6 days ago
The outbreak has been linked to four deaths, and 19 hospitalizations, according to the CDC.
6 days ago
The President and CEO of Walmart, Doug McMillion expressed that AI will "literally change every job."
7 days ago
While the seller was confident that the instrument was ever so valuable, Harrison begged to differ.
7 days ago
The 54th season of the show has begun with a brand-new game, but fans fear it could be rigged.
Sep 30, 2025
The guest had absolutely no idea that the Ching Dynasty snuff bottle could be worth so much.
Sep 30, 2025
While Corey Harrison tried his best, the seller had other plans and stuck to it.
Sep 28, 2025
Harvey warned the contestant that she may be in a situation she can't handle.
Sep 27, 2025
In the end, the expert adviced the guest to put the item on a pedestal for the future.
Sep 27, 2025
Fans debated if the player got the correct answer in time, or if the judges the right call
Sep 26, 2025
While the comedian/host's answers were barely intelligible, Harvey didn't miss a beat to roast him.
Sep 26, 2025