Making a splash on social media causing shock and outrage around the country is the image of an unnamed Taco Bell employee licking a stack of taco shells while in company uniform. The image was then uploaded to Taco Bell’s Facebook wall and then shared on social media. The gross image makes me wonder if this employee has guacamole for brains…..

Taco Bell is now in a publicity nightmare as a spokesperson for the company dove into damage control:

“Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and team members, and we have strict food handling procedures and zero tolerance for any violations,” 

The image of the employee licking 25 taco shells with his tongue exposed has gone viral. The company is assuring that the shells however were never served to customers, and used for training purposes only.

But this is not the first time a fast food employee has been in hot water over their behavior. Just a couple of weeks ago a Papa John’s delivery employee was fired after footage of a racist voicemail went viral.

The seven minute video reveals the employee leaving the customer a voicemail that uses profanity and a racial slur to describe the person to which the pizza was just delivered. The two delivery employees were fired after the video was leaked on YouTube and went viral. Papa John’s founder and CEO John (Sch)(natter) posted an apology on the company Facebook page stating:

"Friends, I am extremely concerned to learn about the reprehensible language used by two former employees in one of our restaurants. Their thinking and actions defy both my personal and the company's values, and everything for which this company stands."

For the most part employees now days are held to a higher standard because of the role social media in our lives. Moments of bad judgment and irresponsible behavior like these employees are easily shared. Let’s just hope both Taco Bell and Papa John’s can come back as trusted fast food providers after the publicity hot water they are now swimming in.