All Charlene Pabro wanted was a little Jamba Juice. What she got was a whole lotta hate. Rather than putting the Rancho Cordova, California-based lesbian’s name on her receipt, he put a four-letter epithet: “dyke”.
Needless to say, Ms. Pabro’s none-too-pleased. She tells a reporter CBS affiliate CW31:
It was one of those things that you just sit and you’re like, ‘Wow, the world can be that ignorant sometimes’… I paid for that, I gave them my money. And then this is what you get in return: a racist slur.
“Dyke” isn’t racist, honey. It’s gaycist.
On the story like a whore on the corner, the CW31 reporter attempts to interview the store’s 16-year old manager, but Jamba corporate calls mid-conversation and cuts it short. Before the unceremonious silencing, the manager said, “We’ll probably talk to him.”
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
A statement from higher-ups later assured the reporter (and, by proxy, Pabro) that the employee has been sacked. They also said: “We are saddened and stunned to hear of the incident that occurred in one of our stores.” The company’s so distraught over the matter that the Jamba Juice CEO has pledged to call Ms. Pabro to apologize. No word yet whether that call has been made or not. One thing’s for sure: Ms. Pabro got more than she bargained for…
Tom
Hi there! As a representative of Jamba Juice, I can tell you that Jamba CEO Paul Clayton and Ms. Pavro indeed spoke soon after the incident was reported. He wanted to personally offer his apologies surrounding this matter. As you reported, the employee is certainly no longer with the company.
Janice Yamaya
Get over it! As a DYKE, get a life!
Andrew
Tom,
What is Jamba Juice doing to ensure that an incident like this never happens again in your stores? LGBT sensitivity training for employees or store managers? Does your diversity statement include sexual orientation?
Let us know.
-Andrew Barnett
Jon
Just go to Smoothie King(.com) next time. They are better for you and will always be much better at guest service .
Chris says:
GO to SMOOTHIE KING. Great tasting, and more nutritious smoothies with an impressive selection of healthy snacks and retail products. Top notch customer service!
Edgar
I agree; Smoothie King is the best! As a matter of fact, I will visit one tomorrow.
Nelosn
Jamba Junk. Never. Smoothie King beats them all. Who knows what JJ will say next??????
Mike
Smoothie King is always the better choice!
Andy
My experience is that Smoothie King loves on people no matter what their sexual orientation. SK will cater to your preferences and make you feel like a million bucks! This is just another example of poor customer service from a poorly run Jamba Juice.
Steve
Smoothie King? They are shutting down stores left and right cause they can’t get anyone to buy into their fake smoothies. The Jamba Juice incident is a one off issue and not a indication of what the company is or believes in. This was just some teenager being dumb and not aware of his mistake and ignorance. We’ve all done or said something stupid to hurt someone in our lives. Get over it and move on.
Neil
Obviously people wouldn’t be praising Smoothie King in here if they didn’t like their smoothies. I don’t know where you live but here in Atlanta, the Smoothie Kings are popping up left and right and taking Planet Smoothies out of business. I think this is pretty impressive considering Planet Smoothie is based out of Atlanta. I’ll take my Immune Builder over that Jamba Junk any day!
Adam
You guys are forgetting about the story. No matter how you feel this looks bad on Jamba Juice as a whole. I know its an isolated incident but I still don’t see the company the same way as I did before.
Manny
I work at Jamba Juice, and I have to say people get so pissed off when we ask them for their names, that sometimes we just write down something else. Yes it was stupid of this employee to write dyke, but come on get over it. It sucks for the company though, we are not allowed to write anything but the person’s name. So the company really has no fault.
Jill
People this has nothing to do with the company Jamba Juice! It was just come dumb kid! I lvoe Jamba and I’m going to keep going there no matter what.
REBECCA
SCREW that!! She deserved it anyway. All she wants is some fame because she is a lonley biotch, and a free smoothie. Jamba Juice is the best and it sucks that they lose customers over a stupid name that everybody uses everyday. whats next, Dunkin Donuts gets sued because they sold a rainbow sprinkled donut to a homo. GET A LIFE PEOPLE