We have tried handling this in a much calmer manner, but, Chris over at Corporate refuses to acknowledge anything, so I am left with no option but to leave this review.
On Jan 31st I was prepping for a half marathon. I didn't eat the whole day and waited to eat a carb heavy dinner, from a restaurant I had previously been to and loved (Zitos). Myself, my sister and her fiance do not live together but we all ate together that evening. Within an hour of eating, we all began to feel extremely sick. Within hours, all the food poisoning symptoms had kicked in. I got it the worst out of the three of us, but all 3 of us were feeling either nauseous, had to use the restroom frequently or both. I had been going to the restroom so frequently and became so dehydrated within hours, that I couldn't go and was in more pain.
To say my half marathon was ruined would be an understatement. Trying to run with what I was feeling, was uncomfortable to say the least. I kept trying to drink water and stay hydrated but by mile 10 (out of 13) I could no longer keep down fluids. When I got to the end, I tried drinking water and Powerade and was not able to keep it down. After using the restroom, I became extremely pale and began to pass out but was caught and security was called and I was taken to the medic tent immediately via wheelchair. This medic tent was fully staffed by Drs and nurses from a local hospital. During the initial exam I told them when I ate, when I started feeling sick and they immediately said food poisoning (because I was not able to keep fluids down or in), was what I was possibly dealing with. They ended up having to hook me up to IV fluids. Again- the final conclusion and diagnosis from Drs was food poisoning.
On Feb 1st we were promised a refund by assistant manager Johnathon. On Feb 2nd, Maria from corporate called me and was offered a free meal at another location. I told her no and I'd like the refund we were promised. She said she couldn't so she'd call corporate and follow up with me. That never happened, so my sister called yesterday to follow up. Maria said that I had never mentioned the refund and she'd call corporate. My sister asked to be connected because that's exactly what I was told the week before and knew that I had in fact, mentioned the refund.
Chris from corporate, got on the phone and had a very condescending and aggressive tone. He then asked why I hadn't called if I had gotten sick and I quickly hopped in and explained how I was extremely sick the day she called and we were told we were getting a refund and call back, so why would I be calling? He then began questioning the medical professionals that helped treat me. I told him from a business standpoint, promising a refund and not honoring it isn't ethical and he said he disagreed. He had no problem telling me that choosing not to eat was the wrong choice because he has also run many marathons and he knows what's right from wrong (news flash: not every body is the same and people can prep for a marathon, half marathon, 5k or whatever they're prepping for, however they want! There is no right or wrong). He also said food poisoning takes 4 hours or more (Per the CDC and John Hopkins Univ: cases with particular bacteria, symptoms can start within 30 minutes). He insisted a refund was not happening and we can get a gift card. We went back and fourth for a few minutes and when he started to become more aggressive, I told him that I was recording that call for both parties and he said he don't give permission to be recorded and hung up. When my sister called back, she got out of the car to speak to him separately without me. In that, he refused to speak to her and the woman she spoke with (Julia) laughed as well and wouldn't let my sister speak and hung up on her as well.
The lack of professionalism on the corporate level is genuinely concerning. All we wanted was our $70 back since the food wasn't finished and we all got sick. We weren't asking for anything else and it was promised and then refused. I will never trust or eat at a Zitos, again. read more