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Just need to share this because I’m still so angry and upset — especially on behalf of my son.

40 replies

saudades15 · 08/07/2025 15:01

Edited by MNHQ to remove identifying details.

We went to Pizza Hut in Canterbury High Street recently. I placed a takeaway order and while we waited, my son (young child) picked up a tiny bowl of salad — just cucumber and carrots — from the self-serve salad bar. There's a massive sign that says “UNLIMITED SALAD.” We were paying customers.

Out of nowhere, the manager came over and SNATCHED the plate from his hands mid-chew and threw it in the bin. Not a word of warning beforehand — just pure humiliation, and directed at a child. Only afterwards did she bark at us that he wasn’t allowed to have any.
I was so shocked I asked for a refund, but ended up staying because my son was hungry and already upset. I stood by the kitchen (not in the way!) and spoke to the cook — who was lovely and even quietly said we’d be better off going elsewhere. So clearly staff know what she’s like.
She also spoke rudely to another mum and her kids when they walked in. The whole vibe was just hostile and cold.
I complained to Pizza Hut expecting an apology — and instead got a cold, dismissive response and refusing to take responsibility for any of it.
AIBU to be absolutely disgusted by this? I’ve never experienced anything like it and honestly, I just want to make other parents aware.

OP posts:
TraumaQuestions · 08/07/2025 15:02

I guess the salad is only for sitting in customers?

WinWhenTheyreSinging · 08/07/2025 15:02

I mean, she sounds like she needs some customer service training - but surely it's obvious that the salad bar is for sit-down customers?

DisforDarkChocolate · 08/07/2025 15:02

She may have been rude but your child stole food and you're not bothered by that. He's 5, he gets watched all the time and told when he's doing something he shouldn't.

BellissimoGecko · 08/07/2025 15:03

The salad is only for customers who are eating in.

Why have you started two threads about this???

AmIHumanOrAmIAYeti · 08/07/2025 15:04

TraumaQuestions · 08/07/2025 15:02

I guess the salad is only for sitting in customers?

This.

Jawdrop · 08/07/2025 15:04

WinWhenTheyreSinging · 08/07/2025 15:02

I mean, she sounds like she needs some customer service training - but surely it's obvious that the salad bar is for sit-down customers?

This. She was rude, but surely you realised that the unlimited salad thing isn't for people waiting for a takeaway?

JDM625 · 08/07/2025 15:05

Her attitude was rude, but why did you allow your child to wander off to the salad bar and steal food? You ordered a take-away!

UnfashionableArtex · 08/07/2025 15:06

Lol have you never been to a Pizza Hut before? The unlimited salad is for people eating in. It's strange that you let him help himself in my opinion. Having said that, if I was the manager, I would definitely not have bothered intervening for the sake of a bit of carrot.

Reallybadidea · 08/07/2025 15:08

On the one hand I think that she probably should have spoken to you as the parent rather than take the food out of your child's hands. Also, that the website does say that you get a free box of salad with every main takeaway.

OTOH I think using Mumsnet to identify a particular, identifiable worker is more than a little off. You're going to get your arse handed to you on this thread though in all likelihood!

TheignT · 08/07/2025 15:08

Five year old got it wrong. What is wrong with an adult who doesn't speak to the parents rather than snatching it off a child.

DragonTrainor · 08/07/2025 15:10

Who is the salad for? Is it for people buying takeaway? Did you ask first? I bet they get people and their kids helping themselves all the time. It may not be your son's fault but it's yours.

rainbowstardrops · 08/07/2025 15:11

The manager didn’t handle it very well but you should have stopped him from helping himself to the salad!

Tlaloc999 · 08/07/2025 15:12

Imagine this thred will go soon as you have identified a particular individual and made accusations. Are you planning on putting your own name out here for all to criticise you ?

lostinthesunshine · 08/07/2025 15:12

@saudades15 please get your thread taken down. You’ll get the kitchen staff in huge trouble.

It sounds like the manager was awful and needs some training (as a PP has pointed out, you are supposed to get salad with take away, but no one ever requests it). However that doesn’t warrant throwing the nice staff member under the bus.

CurbsideProphet · 08/07/2025 15:13

The salad is for people who have paid for the buffet, not just for anyone who walks in the door. Difficult to see how that's "disgusting".

ladymalfoy45 · 08/07/2025 15:13

Unlimited salad for those dining in isn't free salad for those picking up a take away.
Would you allow your son to grab roast potatoes at a carvery?
I'm sorry you were embarrassed by your son helping himself to the salad but you should have been supervising him in this situation.
Do you let him run around in restaurants and potentially trip up members of staff?
Poor form for naming and shaming because you were challenged by an over worked ,underpaid member of the hospitality industry.

MaryGreenhill · 08/07/2025 15:13

You really can't blame her for doing her job . If they allow your Ds to behave like this then there will be many more wanting the same treatment. However she shouldn't have been aggressive and snatched the bowl from his hands . We only have your side of this story though @saudades15. I wonder what the person in charge would say .

myplace · 08/07/2025 15:14

Don’t you have to buy access to the salad bar, usually paying for the size of the plate? You aren’t even supposed to share it on your table.

M Why would you let your small child raid the salad bar unsupervised?

DragonTrainor · 08/07/2025 15:14

also the kitchen staff member you were talking to who said you should go somewhere else may not have meant what you think

TigerRag · 08/07/2025 15:14

UnfashionableArtex · 08/07/2025 15:06

Lol have you never been to a Pizza Hut before? The unlimited salad is for people eating in. It's strange that you let him help himself in my opinion. Having said that, if I was the manager, I would definitely not have bothered intervening for the sake of a bit of carrot.

The last time I went to pizza hut and got take away I was told I could help myself to salad

Superhansrantowindsor · 08/07/2025 15:16

Flipping heck - what a horrible thing to do. And by that I mean starting this thread. Everyone has had bad customer service at some time but we don’t name them on a national forum. What do you want? Do you want the woman humiliated? To get the sack?
Get a grip and teach your son some manners.

PolyVagalNerve · 08/07/2025 15:17

You don’t get to take from the salad 🥗 when u are picking up a takeaway !!!!

that’s bonkers - and this is on you !!

she’s probably sick of cheeky fuckers

and no one likes very little kids handling the salad - yuck

HowManyOtters · 08/07/2025 15:17

Do you always let your child just help himself to food in public?

LadyQuackBeth · 08/07/2025 15:17

What were you doing? Even if you thought you were allowed the salad, you'd be asking what to put it in for takeaway and showing him how to use the scoops so he didn't stick his hands in it.

I'd put money on you staring at your phone while he did his own thing, should staff be parenting kids who are waiting on takeaway?

Wolfpa · 08/07/2025 15:18

Did you order a salad? If not it sounds as if you could have avoided the whole situation.

the manager should have spoken to you over your child but if they were far enough away from you to start grabbing food there is a possibility they didn’t know who your child belonged to.