KISSIMMEE, Fla. – A woman is claiming discrimination by Dunkin Donuts after she was refused drive-thru service on Christmas Day, according to law firm Morgan & Morgan.
In a release, a spokesperson for the law firm said that the incident happened on Christmas Day 2024, which is when the woman — Suheily Merced — went to a Dunkin Donuts store in Kissimmee.
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Per the release, Merced was refused service in the drive-thru because she was deaf.
“Several employees, including a manager, allegedly told her they could not serve her in the drive-thru and instead she had to go inside,” the release reads. “When Ms. Merced responded that she would not go inside and wanted to be served like every other customer, the manager allegedly threatened to and ultimately called the police.”
As a result, Merced claims that the incident caused her severe distress, embarrassment, and “degraded her to a second-class citizen,” the spokesperson responded.
A discrimination statement filed by Morgan & Morgan with the Florida Commission on Human Relations reads as follows:
“On 12/25/2024, I went to the Dunkin’ Donuts in Kissimmee FL at 2388 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy. I waited in line, but because I can’t use the speaker at the drive thru, I waited my turn and then pulled up to the window to order. I had already typed out my order on my cell phone for the employee to read — it consisted of only one coffee drink.
The cashier refused to take my order, telling me they could not take my order because I was (REDACTED) and I had to go inside. She demanded I move because I was holding the line up. I told her I would not go inside to order because I need to get to work, and I want to be served at the window like everyone else. A female manager then came to the window and also told me I must order inside because I was (REDACTED). She was rude and disrespectful to me, and I recorded that interaction on my phone.
I became nervous and could not believe the treatment. I was told they were going to call the police, which they did. I moved my vehicle to a spot in front of the store and waited for police. I immediately called my mother, who sent my stepfather and my brother to come help me because I was very upset and crying and would not be able to communication with the police.
The police responded and went into the store and asked if they could simply serve me my one cup of coffee, but the manager refused. The discrimination and denial of service has degraded and embarrassed me, making me feel like a second-class citizen.”
Charge of Discrimination, "RE: Merced, Suheily v. Bronson Foods LLC d/b/a Dunkin Donuts"
According to Morgan & Morgan, Merced uploaded a video of her experience to TikTok, which has garnered over 1.4 million views.
@huleylove This manager refused to sale me a coffee simply because I am deaf. She says that I couldn’t order by showing her what I wanted in my phone notes. Its the way I communicate I never had a problem ordering this way. She was rude and very disrespectful and dismissive. She even call the cops for no reason l, even the cops said they didn’t even know why they were called. This took place at Dunkin donuts 2388 irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy Kissimmee Fl 34744. People like her should be working as manager when they don’t know how to treat costumers and discrimate you for being deaf!!! @Dunkin' ♬ Intervallo II - Ennio Morricone
“America should run from Dunkin, seeing how they treated a customer with a disability,” attorneys John Morgan and Sharon Caserta said in a statement. “Our client had every right to expect equal treatment in doing what millions of Americans do every day as they head into work — ordering a cup of coffee. When companies and their employees discriminate against customers, not only does it result in a lack of access, but also humiliates and reduces people with disabilities to second-class citizens.”