Legal Action Initiated Against Chicken Finger Chain for Sex Trafficking and Assault Allegations
In a deeply troubling case that has sparked outrage, the Potts Law Firm has launched legal action against Zaxby's Franchising, LLC, alongside its management, over serious allegations involving the sexual assault and sex trafficking of a minor. The lawsuit was filed in the Pulaski County Circuit Court and is based on events surrounding a teenage girl, identified only as S.H., who worked at a Zaxby’s Chicken Fingers & Buffalo Wings in Sherwood, Arkansas.
The allegations claim that a 39-year-old restaurant manager, who has a history of criminal activity, sexually assaulted S.H. multiple times during her employment from April to May 2025. The manager, currently facing five felony charges—including two counts of first-degree sexual assault—was in a position of authority that the lawsuit argues should never have been granted to someone with such a violent history. Notably, the suit reveals that the defendants, including Zaxby’s corporate entities, were allegedly aware of the manager’s prior misconduct but failed to act appropriately, leading to a gross violation of the young employee’s safety.
Specifically, the lawsuit highlights complaints regarding negligent hiring and supervision. The document details how the accused manager was not only allowed but also trusted to oversee minors in a work environment. Derek H. Potts, the National Managing Partner of Potts Law Firm, expressed his outrage, asserting that the hiring of individuals with a dangerous criminal past directly violates the responsibility firms have to protect their staff, particularly vulnerable groups such as minors. He emphasized that corporate entities cannot ignore their accountability in cases concerning the safety and welfare of young employees.
The plaintiff is seeking both compensatory and punitive damages for the immense emotional distress suffered as a result of the actions taken by the manager and the inaction of Zaxby's corporate leadership. This legal action represents not just one individual's quest for justice but serves as a broader indictment of corporate negligence when it comes to the safety of minors in the workplace.
Furthermore, the lawsuit demands a jury trial, reflecting the dire need for a full examination of the circumstances surrounding these horrific events. The plaintiffs hope that a legal judgment will send a strong message to corporations about their obligations toward creating safe work environments, particularly for young employees.
This particular case shines a spotlight on the vital importance of comprehensive background checks during the hiring process and greater corporate responsibility in ensuring that past offenses do not affect the safety of current employees.
The case, titled Armstrong v. Zaxby's Franchising, LLC; Cause No. 60CV-25-13586, has already drawn considerable attention from various advocacy groups concerned with child safety and sexual abuse. Activists argue that this incident underscores a disturbing trend where young workers are often the most vulnerable and least protected in the workplace, particularly in the fast-food industry where such cases may not receive the attention they deserve.
Amid increasing calls for reform surrounding workplace safety and employee protection, those following the case are hopeful that it will result in significant changes in how companies approach hiring practices and employee supervision, especially for those in positions of responsibility over minors. Legal experts anticipate that this case could become a pivotal moment in driving greater awareness about the challenges facing young workers in the industry.
As this story unfolds, the Potts Law Firm is committed to advocating for the rights of individuals who have suffered at the hands of negligent corporate practices, with the hope of bringing justice for S.H. and setting a precedent to prevent similar situations in the future.
The allegations claim that a 39-year-old restaurant manager, who has a history of criminal activity, sexually assaulted S.H. multiple times during her employment from April to May 2025. The manager, currently facing five felony charges—including two counts of first-degree sexual assault—was in a position of authority that the lawsuit argues should never have been granted to someone with such a violent history. Notably, the suit reveals that the defendants, including Zaxby’s corporate entities, were allegedly aware of the manager’s prior misconduct but failed to act appropriately, leading to a gross violation of the young employee’s safety.
Specifically, the lawsuit highlights complaints regarding negligent hiring and supervision. The document details how the accused manager was not only allowed but also trusted to oversee minors in a work environment. Derek H. Potts, the National Managing Partner of Potts Law Firm, expressed his outrage, asserting that the hiring of individuals with a dangerous criminal past directly violates the responsibility firms have to protect their staff, particularly vulnerable groups such as minors. He emphasized that corporate entities cannot ignore their accountability in cases concerning the safety and welfare of young employees.
The plaintiff is seeking both compensatory and punitive damages for the immense emotional distress suffered as a result of the actions taken by the manager and the inaction of Zaxby's corporate leadership. This legal action represents not just one individual's quest for justice but serves as a broader indictment of corporate negligence when it comes to the safety of minors in the workplace.
Furthermore, the lawsuit demands a jury trial, reflecting the dire need for a full examination of the circumstances surrounding these horrific events. The plaintiffs hope that a legal judgment will send a strong message to corporations about their obligations toward creating safe work environments, particularly for young employees.
This particular case shines a spotlight on the vital importance of comprehensive background checks during the hiring process and greater corporate responsibility in ensuring that past offenses do not affect the safety of current employees.
The case, titled Armstrong v. Zaxby's Franchising, LLC; Cause No. 60CV-25-13586, has already drawn considerable attention from various advocacy groups concerned with child safety and sexual abuse. Activists argue that this incident underscores a disturbing trend where young workers are often the most vulnerable and least protected in the workplace, particularly in the fast-food industry where such cases may not receive the attention they deserve.
Amid increasing calls for reform surrounding workplace safety and employee protection, those following the case are hopeful that it will result in significant changes in how companies approach hiring practices and employee supervision, especially for those in positions of responsibility over minors. Legal experts anticipate that this case could become a pivotal moment in driving greater awareness about the challenges facing young workers in the industry.
As this story unfolds, the Potts Law Firm is committed to advocating for the rights of individuals who have suffered at the hands of negligent corporate practices, with the hope of bringing justice for S.H. and setting a precedent to prevent similar situations in the future.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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