The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf — Restaurant in Lake Forest

Legal Action Pending for Harassment, Defamation & False Accusations by Manager Erika

I have been a regular customer at this Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (Lake Forest, CA), but my recent experiences with the manager have been appalling. For months, this manager has engaged in targeted harassment, specifically, aggressively monitoring my use of the restroom. This activity was done by a couple more of the baristas by her instructions, which I clearly noticed On multiple occasions, she has followed me to the bathroom, attempted to open the door knowingly I was inside, and even confronted me immediately after I exited, falsely, absurdly and ridiculously accusing me of 'brushing my teeth' absurdly claiming she 'smelled toothpaste' So apparently brushing your teeth in the bathroom is illegal , how ridiculous that sounds ? Today, her harassment escalated: She aggressively confronted me while I questioned her behavior towards me, confronted me with baseless accusations, and, without provocation threatened to call the police and ordered me to leave the premises, all of this is should be recorded on the cameras as evidence. All of this was delivered in a hostile, condescending tone, bordering on public humiliation. Let me be clear: I did nothing wrong. Her actions constitute deliberate intimidation, defamation (falsely implying I was 'doing something inappropriate' and an outright abuse of authority. If you see the reviews left in here you can see that is not the first time Ericka has been mentioned on the complains over and over that clearly tells you she is a problem and has mishandled customers way more than it needs to, this is also an indication that the owner either doesn’t care about the horrible customer service or he doesn’t really understands the lack of professionalism or incompetence of this person. I’ve chat with an old friend who use to work there I won’t mention his/her name for his/her protection but I was told baristas hate her because of her attitude towards them. This is not how coworkers let alone customers should be treated. A business that tolerates such unprofessional, predatory behavior from its management deserves public accountability. I will not be silenced or intimidated, I demand acknowledgment and corrective action. Until then, I caution others: If you value basic dignity, take your business elsewhere

After enduring months of targeted harassment, false accusations, and defamation by manager Erika, I am left with no choice but to pursue legal action against this establishment.

Again let me repeat it so it stays very clear. Erika has repeatedly stalked my use of the restroom, following me inside, attempting to open the door when she knew I was inside and aggressively confronting me upon exit with baseless claims among them, accusing me of 'brushing my teeth' because she 'smelled toothpaste', she escalated this harassment by raising her voice like an out of control anxious person, almost screaming at me in front of other customers, and threatening to call the police without justification a blatant abuse of authority meant to intimidate and humiliate.

*Her actions constitute: Harassment (consistent invasion of privacy and hostile confrontations), Defamation (falsely implying misconduct to customers/staff) False Accusations (fabricating reasons to eject me), and Emotional Distress (public threats and humiliation).

This behavior is unacceptable, unethical, and potentially illegal. I have retained evidence of these incidents and will be filing formal complaints with corporate, the CA Labor Board (if applicable), and BBB and strongly and adamantly exploring civil litigation. A business that enables such misconduct by its managers deserves neither patronage nor protection.

To Erika: Your unprofessionalism and malice have consequences. To corporate: This demand accountability immediately.

I’m using a new account form google to leave this review because this IS NOT the first time I left a review and they didn’t correct...

I have never been to a business that openly insults their customers.

I placed an online order and when I arrived it wasn't ready so I was waiting. As I was waiting I saw my order not being made, and those who had just ordered, having their orders made. So I asked if they had my order at the location? They said "yes, they are working on it" and pointed to my order at the bottom of the screen in red. A male employee overheard then tells the person making drinks, to "work on these orders first" pointing to 3 new orders on the top of the screen in blue.

I decided I did not want to wait, since they were avoiding my order, and asked for a refund. As I began to leave, there was no response. So I turned around and asked, you guys got the refund right? An employee, who was the same one prioritizing new orders took it personally knowing he caused it and responded saying, "Im not the shift lead". I said: "I don't know who does what, I just want a refund." He then responds with "you're an asshole" I then asked , you think its okay to swear at customers?

Another female employee, knew I only wanted a refund and tried to fix the situation and deescalte her coworkers, to give a refund. To her Thank you, you should be a shift lead, as this location needs emotional stability and customer service training.

Then what looked to be an older unprofessional female shift lead reescalated the situation saying "you were acting rude." Which I said: "So its okay to call me an asshole because I asked for a refund?"

She said "yes". I said that's insane. She then said "you're insane" and I left without a refund.

I would like to speak with the General Manager Erica Torres.

(Looking at other customer reviews..who I thought was the lead may have been Erica the GM ...sad)

So I will send the email to corporate and visit the Jolliebee Group (that owns coffeebean) at their offices in Covina, to follow up with...

I have been a customer of Coffee bean for many years and I have been going to this location for almost 2 years now and I have recommended them to my family as well… Sometimes they dont do a good job of making my coffee right which is super simple and so I return it and have them remake it for me. They never complain and they always either remake it or just refund me once I return the coffee to them. And so today I went there getting the same drink but they put too much half n half so the coffee tasted too creamy. I went back and asked them to just give me shots and I’ll add it to the coffee myself. Girl with the name Alex gave me the shots and I asked for cups with ice because they barely put any ice on my coffee. So she did that too. I asked her if it’s possible to give me regular sized cups instead because that is what i originally paid for and she was like we dont give those out for free you have to pay for it but I did pay for the regular size already. She out of nowhere started getting rude… Saying oh you always complain about the coffee and have us remake it and saying you can either get a refund or dont come back here anymore and go another location. She said this twice or three times so rudely and with an attitude. I am not sure if I was discriminated today because I had a David’s star necklace because while she was talking she was also looking at it too. This is the first time I have ever gotten this attitude before especially at a location where they even know my drink before I say it completely. This was so disrespectful and I will not come back here anymore. Was someone also giving her advice on what to tell me either on their headphones or somehow else? Dont know.. Very rude and not sure if I was also discriminated against today as well! I didn’t this deserve this type of disrespect from them after being a consistent customer for years. Anyways, Alex work on...