Florida IHOP server claims she was fired after feeding homeless man

LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) — A Florida woman said she was fired from her job at IHOP after she served food to a homeless man over the weekend.

Victoria Hughes, who has worked at the IHOP in Lakeland for 13 years, said the man walked into the restaurant on Sunday and said he was hungry.

"Without a second thought, I bought the stack of pancakes and made him a water," she told Nexstar's WFLA.

Hughes said she also informed her manager, but his reaction caught her off guard.

"He told me the reason behind him being upset [was] because it could cause a loitering issue...or a safety issue for customers,” Hughes said.

She said the same homeless man later returned with a family who brought him in for another meal. Then, on Tuesday, Hughes said she received a phone call from her manager telling her she'd been let go.

"He talked to me yesterday and told me that I was fired," she said. "I asked him for what? And he said, company policy."

Despite losing her job, just before the holidays, Hughes said she stands by her decision.

"I need my job, but I would still do it again," she said. "I truly would. I would still help somebody if I could. If he asked me for my shirt, I probably would have tried to give him that too."

After speaking with WFLA, Hughes said she got a direct call from IHOP’s corporate office. The call included a job offer and compensation for the days of work she missed.

"We are committed to providing an inclusive environment, welcome to everyone. As we actively investigate this situation, we will utilize this as an opportunity to train our employees on how to approach instances surrounding food insecurity," Dan Enea, CEO of Sunshine Restaurant Partners, which operates more than 150 IHOP locations, said in a statement.

"To continue our commitment to supporting those in need in our local community, we are making a donation to Feeding America as well as local Lakeland charities that support food insecurity," his statement continued.

Hughes said she will take some time to decide whether to work for the company again after spending time with her family this holiday.