The Taco Bell employee whose image went viral earlier this week has officially been fired from his job with the fast food chain.
The photo, taken at the Taco Bell location in Ridgecrest California, just 100 miles north of Los Angeles depicts the young man licking a stack of about 30 hard taco shells. Taco Bell Products Inc. said the shells were provided to the workers at that location so they could practice making their new, and very popular, Cool Ranch Dorito taco. They were thrown away without being sold as a result, meaning the employees at the Taco Bell where the employee licked the stack were never going to be sold to the public.
However, posting the picture to Facebook violated the company's social media policy. For that reason, as well as, violating food-handling procedures, the employee was suspended and will be fired. The photographer no longer works at the restaurant according to AP.
The company released an official statement after the picture wen viral:
"We have strict food and handling procedures and zero tolerance for any violations. We will not tolerate this type of behavior, and particularly its impressions on our customers, fans, franchises, and team members."
The photo was taken with intentions of entering it in a contest to show employees enjoying their first bite of the new Cool Ranch Dorito taco. The image was never submitted to said contest. However, once it was posted to Facebook, all hopes of keeping this behind-the-scenes moment from the back kitchen of Taco Bell under wraps went out the window.
Many PR executives told USA Today this is the result of the company not having high enough standards for the people it hires.
"You need to hire people who hold as much integrity for your brand as you do," said Erika Napoletano, a brand strategy consultant.
