Steampunk Pizza Co. — Restaurant in Glen Allen

I was dining in while the manager was conducting some sort of interviews around 1 to 2 PM on June 18th, 2025.

I did not entirely hear what occurred, but I did hear the older white manager, raising his voice and yelling at the Hispanic young man who was inquiring for a job position.

The WHITE Manager use derogatory words to describe the man who wanted an interview, Was laughing and cutting him off the entire conversation, and literally turned Around and walked away in the middle of the poor gentleman trying to speak/ articulate his words.

That this area is increasing and it’s Hispanic population, I think it is absolutely disgusting that this white manager feels obligated to speak down on POC so blatantly in front of paying customers. He did not even give the gentleman the time of day, he looked at him, laughed, and made him sound stupid in the entire time.

As a customer, this was a very uncomfortable, and I immediately asked for my check. This type of behavior and language should not be portrayed at all in any service industry, especially right in the open in front of the store.

There was another manager, who was a woman, who apologized for his behavior and said that he is racist and does this often. I pray for the staff there and anyone else who decides to go there at a time where this Manager is present.

Just wanted to give a heads up to anyone who is a POC… Clearly they are not welcoming to POCs

Edit: after calling the store, the general manager told me that the white man was the OWNER and apologized for his behavior. She said it is often he does this and suggested I come Wends-Sunday to avoid him. Absolutely pathetic. His own staff…

Edit, responding to the owners comment:

While I appreciate your acknowledgment of the inappropriate setting for an interview, I respectfully stand by what I witnessed. Regardless of whether derogatory language was technically used, the tone, dismissiveness, and overall conduct were deeply inappropriate and publicly humiliating to the young man. That, in itself, was enough to make multiple guests—including myself—visibly uncomfortable.

More specifically, I clearly heard you say, “people like you” to the Hispanic man during the exchange. That phrasing, in context, was derogatory and demeaning—and it’s important to recognize how language like that can reinforce harmful stereotypes, even if unintentionally.

It’s also worth noting that the female staff member did not just mention availability for further discussion. She explicitly stated that your behavior was known and that it “happens often,” which suggests a concerning pattern that shouldn’t be brushed off as a “misunderstanding.”

Diversity among staff doesn’t absolve anyone from holding or displaying discriminatory attitudes. Respect is reflected not just in who you hire, but how you treat everyone—especially those most vulnerable, such as job seekers.

I hope your business truly reflects on this situation and takes active steps to ensure both guests and applicants feel safe, welcome, and respected moving forward. The hospitality industry should be built on compassion, not...

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