Aretha Franklin Yelled at by Johnny Rockets' Employee

Legendary singer Aretha Franklin says she was denied a seat at a Johnny Rockets location in Niagara Falls, Ontario. According to the Associated Press, Franklin ordered a burger for takeout, but when she sat down to have a taste, she was "screamed at" by a server. The singer told the Buffalo News in a statement that the waitress told her that she couldn't sit because she had ordered "takeout" and could "only stand in the perimeter." Franklin was quite upset and added, "No one should be addressed this way, whether a celebrity or not. I told her she can eat and pay for my meal, and left."

A spokesperson for the burger chain told the Buffalo News that "the franchise owner was sorry for the action of a 'new and very young employee.'" he incident isn't enough to stop Franklin from returning to other locations of Johnny Rockets, which is apparently one of her favorite restaurants: "Over the years I have always enjoyed a burger and cherry Coke and the choreographed dance by waiters and waitresses at Johnny Rockets…This experience in Niagara Falls will not stop my enjoyment of burgers and cherry Cokes, and talking to the classy and friendly people at Johnny Rockets."

· Restaurant Server Screamed at Aretha Franklin [AP]
· Aretha Franklin Denied Seat [Buffalo News]
· All Johnny Rockets Coverage on Eater [-E-]