Former Chick-fil-A employee charged in $80,000 mac-and-cheese scheme

May 1, 2026

A former Chick-fil-A worker in Texas faces serious criminal charges after allegedly orchestrating an elaborate refund scheme that cost the restaurant chain $80,000. The 23-year-old suspect reportedly returned to his former workplace a month after being terminated and accessed the point-of-sale system to process fake orders for 800 large catering trays of macaroni and cheese. He then allegedly refunded these fraudulent purchases directly to his personal credit cards while not wearing the company uniform.

Who is affected

Keyshun Jones, the 23-year-old former employee charged with the crimes
Chick-fil-A, the fast food company that lost $80,000
The specific Grapevine, Texas Chick-fil-A branch where the alleged fraud occurred
The Grapevine Police Department investigating the case
The Texas Attorney General's Fugitive Task Force and Fort Worth Police Department involved in the arrest

What action is being taken

Jones is currently being held in custody at Green Bay prison in Fort Worth, Texas
He is facing criminal charges of property theft, money laundering, and evading arrest

Why it matters

This case highlights vulnerabilities in restaurant point-of-sale systems and the potential for significant financial fraud by employees with insider knowledge of company procedures. The substantial $80,000 loss demonstrates how quickly retail businesses can be exploited through refund schemes, emphasizing the need for robust internal controls and access management. The serious charges, including money laundering, signal that authorities are treating this as a major financial crime rather than a simple theft, which may deter similar schemes.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC