A FREDDY’S customer was shocked to discover a disturbing message written on both their receipt and cheeseburger carton.
In the photo, the word “help” can be clearly seen printed on the receipt and scrawled on top of the burger carton by the employee who served the customer.
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The customer shared a photo on Reddit, asking whether she should contact the police.
She mentioned that her boyfriend believed the employees were “just trying to be funny”.
Thousands of concerned Reddit users responded, urging her to take the message seriously – with the post receiving over 97,000 likes by Monday afternoon.
One Reddit user wrote: “Seriously, this seems legit. I’d rather call it in and be wrong, if they are playing, putting it on the receipt is too far.”
Another user commented: “Call 911. I wouldn’t risk this being a joke. Seriously.”
In an update posted in the comments, the customer told the thousands of worried users that she had contacted the police and that officers were being dispatched to the restaurant.
In another update, she wrote: “Yes, it was an employee playing a prank.
“A million people called to find out what happened, and that is the conclusion.
“There will be no further update, unless I receive a call from the police, which I do not see happening.”
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is a US-based fast-casual restaurant chain that serves steak-burgers, thin-cut fries and frozen custard in a retro-style setting.
It comes as closures have been hitting the restaurant industry hard in 2025, with major chains like Jack In the Box, Applebee’s and Denny’s dominating the list of shutdowns.
One of the most heavily impacted is Jack In the Box, which has confirmed plans to close 200 locations as part of sweeping measures to restructure its debt.
Closures are set to roll out in phases, with 80 to 120 spots confirmed to shut by the end of 2025.
The company has launched a new initiative called “JACK on Track”, aimed at improving operations.
The US Sun has also reported on Applebee’s efforts to avoid bankruptcy.
The CEO of the chain has revealed plans to overhaul 30 restaurants to prevent further losses.
Applebee’s has already closed 150 locations.
The chain has launched an initiative called the “Lookin’ Good” plan, a multi-year vision aimed at revamping the brand and improving its remaining locations.
The overhaul begins with 30 of the 47 Applebee’s restaurants acquired by parent company Dine Brands last November.
These 30 units will be remodeled and eventually refranchised.
Five of the locations will be converted into dual Applebee’s–IHOP outlets in a bid to diversify and cut losses.
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