Alpha Worldwide Travel review: Formal complaint – unsafe food & poor customer service at columbus, ga location

Annette Ernest
Owner, Alpha Worldwide Travel
3100 Gentian Blvd, Ste #3B
Columbus, GA 31907
Phone: [protected]
Email: [protected]@alphaworldwidetravel.com

October 21, 2023

Firehouse Subs Corporate Office
12735 Gran Bay Parkway, Suite 150
Jacksonville, FL 32258

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to formally report a deeply concerning and unacceptable experience I had at your Firehouse Subs location at 3201 Macon Road, Ste 263, Columbus, GA 31906 on October 21, 2023, at approximately 11:23 AM.

I placed a lunch order for a Medium Italian Sub on white bread (no lettuce, no onion, with black olives, green peppers, and a pickle spear) along with a bag of chips. I requested the sandwich to be steamed extra, as I prefer my meat cooked thoroughly. The staff were initially friendly and the order was prepared quickly. I returned to my office to eat before my clients arrived.

However, after just two bites into my sandwich, I bit down on a hard object. To my horror, I discovered it was a plastic bread tie embedded inside the sandwich. I was in complete shock and distress. The thought that I could have accidentally swallowed or choked on this object was terrifying and left me shaken for the rest of the day.

Naturally, I called the restaurant immediately to report the incident. A young woman answered and identified herself as the manager. I explained what had happened, and she offered to make me another sandwich. I declined and requested the corporate office phone number, which she gave me as [protected].

However, her attitude was unprofessional and dismissive. In a rude tone, she told me, "Mistakes happen," and then abruptly hung up the phone in my face. I attempted to call back to inform her that the number provided didn’t work. She answered but didn’t identify the business name. I greeted her, and once again, she hung up on me.

At this point, I called again with my colleague on the line to witness the interaction. We asked again for her name and the correct corporate number. She stated her name was Rose Marie, then ended the call.

This level of customer service is completely unacceptable, especially in the face of a serious health and safety issue. The presence of a foreign object in food is a matter that should be handled with urgency, professionalism, and accountability—not dismissiveness and disrespect.

As a business owner myself, I had to cancel client appointments due to the time lost and emotional distress this incident caused. What should have been a simple lunch break turned into a stressful ordeal that extended well beyond an hour.

I am requesting the following:

A formal investigation into this matter.

Direct contact from a corporate representative.

Appropriate restitution for the physical risk and business disruption I experienced.

Please take this complaint seriously. If not handled properly, I am prepared to escalate this matter further through legal and media channels.

You may reach me directly at [protected] or [protected]@alphaworldwidetravel.com.

Sincerely,
Annette Ernest
Owner, Alpha Worldwide Travel

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