Houston, Texas — A Houston-area Popeyes restaurant is at the center of a multimillion-dollar lawsuit after two customers alleged they discovered what appeared to be a “condom-like foreign object” embedded inside a piece of fried chicken.
The couple claims the incident left them physically sick, emotionally distressed, and concerned they may have unknowingly consumed contaminated food.
The claims are now the subject of a civil lawsuit, and the allegations have not been proven in court.
Customers Allege Shocking Discovery During Family Meal
According to a lawsuit filed on Aug. 3, Justin Howard and Danielle McKinnon say they purchased a chicken meal from a Popeyes restaurant in Houston on July 25, 2026.
The lawsuit states that the meal initially appeared normal until Howard allegedly bit into a piece of chicken and discovered what the complaint describes as a “condom-like foreign object” embedded inside the meat.
The plaintiffs claim they immediately stopped eating and became physically nauseated, fearing they had already consumed contaminated food before noticing the object.
According to the filing, they were left worried about possible exposure to bacteria, bodily fluids, sexually transmitted diseases, or other unknown contaminants because they could not identify what the object actually was.
Lawsuit Seeks More Than $1.5 Million in Damages
Howard and McKinnon are seeking more than $1.5 million in damages, alleging the restaurant failed to follow basic food safety standards.
The lawsuit accuses Popeyes and its parent company, Restaurant Brands International, of negligence by allegedly failing to maintain sanitary conditions, properly train employees, supervise food preparation, and enforce adequate quality control procedures.
The plaintiffs also claim the restaurant breached implied warranties that the food was safe and fit for human consumption, while additionally alleging violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices–Consumer Protection Act (DTPA).
They argue that the food was unreasonably dangerous for ordinary consumption and are requesting that the case be decided by a jury.
Customers Say Restaurant Staff Mishandled Complaint
According to the lawsuit, Howard and McKinnon returned to the restaurant after discovering the object to report the incident.
They allege that employees laughed at them and humiliated them, while management allegedly attempted to replace the chicken instead of immediately investigating the complaint or issuing a refund.
The plaintiffs claim they were eventually refunded, but argue the response demonstrated that customer safety was treated as secondary to minimizing the incident.
They also allege the experience has caused ongoing physical discomfort, emotional distress, mental anguish, healthcare expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
Popeyes Disputes the Allegations
In a statement responding to the lawsuit, Popeyes said it conducted an internal review after learning about the complaint. According to the company, extensive internal surveillance footage showed no evidence validating the customers’ allegations.
However, the company acknowledged the seriousness of the complaint, stating that the franchise owner issued a refund and voluntarily closed the restaurant early to conduct employee retraining out of an abundance of caution.
Popeyes has not admitted liability, and the company continues to dispute the claims made in the lawsuit.
Case Will Move Through the Civil Court System
The lawsuit remains in its early stages, and no court has determined whether the allegations are true.
As the case proceeds, both sides will have an opportunity to present evidence regarding what allegedly occurred and whether any food safety failures contributed to the incident.
For now, the dispute will move through the Texas civil court system, where a jury could ultimately determine whether the plaintiffs are entitled to damages.
What do you think about this lawsuit?
Should restaurants face stricter penalties when customers report alleged foreign objects in food, or should liability depend on what investigators ultimately find? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
