A Taco Bell employee‘s Twitter transgression went predictably viral today, with an image of the Bell worker licking a shell (apparently) posted to the brand’s official Facebook feed.
The Taco Bell employee social media s***storm is an aberration for the brand, one that is a strong social media breakout in its class. Of all the fast food chains, Taco Bell in particular adeptly rules social media, unafraid to engage with Twitter and Facebook users on their level and managing to adequately leverage national brand status balanced with in-joking about all manner of things from late-night Taco Bell love admissions to the munchies.
In short, Taco Bell ruled in their social media space … until the Taco Bell employee drama today. Ugh.
Again, Taco Bell managed to at least demonstrate how quickly they can change hats, launching into corporate damage control mode with a statement reading:
“When we learned of the situation we immediately contacted this restaurant’s leadership and although we believe it is a prank and the food was not served to customers, we are conducting a full scale investigation and will be taking swift action against those involved.”
As far as we know, the hashtag “balla” was not appended.
Twitter reacted to the Taco Bell employee taco shell licking, with some expected negativity recorded:
In case you needed more reasons not to eat at Taco Bell….employee picture time! twitter.com/Awkward_Duck/s…
— Fat Amy (@Awkward_Duck) June 3, 2013
This is bad. Really bad. “Here’s A Photo That May Change Your Mind About Having Taco Bell For Lunch Today” ow.ly/lFx7M
— Lindsay Tredent (@LTsurf) June 3, 2013
Facebook Photo Of A Taco Bell Employee Licking Taco Shells Is Grossing Everyone Out buzzfeed.com/ryanhatesthis/… twitter.com/michaelhayes/s…
— Mike Hayes (@michaelhayes) June 3, 2013
Facebook Photo Shows Taco Bell Employee Openly Doing To Food What You’ve Always Assumed They Do To It Secretly thegi.st/15yyBYc
— someecards (@someecards) June 3, 2013
Taco Bell is about to have a bad day…
— Peter Shankman (@petershankman) June 3, 2013
Others seemed unmoved by the Taco Bell employee’s actions:
When your sister brings you home Taco Bell>>>>>>> #fantasticsurprise
— Carli Lambert (@Lambertcarli) June 4, 2013
All I want is for taco bell to be delivered to my bed right now is that really too much to ask??
— Lauren McVetty (@laurenmcvetty) June 4, 2013
i enjoy long walks to my xbox and romantic taco bell drive through runs.
— Brenna (@itsnotBrenDUH) June 4, 2013
Taco Bell is probably the greatest thing ever. <3 #Starving
— Jared Rogers (@JaredRogerss) June 4, 2013
I just banged hella tacos from taco bell
— ßeautiful ♥ (@SydneyWasHereee) June 4, 2013
So it seems that while the Taco Bell employee’s actions have caused a bit of a social media scandal … can we all really say we can quit Taco Bell?
That is gross.