Popeyes Employee Charged After Alleged Workplace Dispute Escalates In Front Of Customers

DUNKIRK, Md. — A Prince Frederick man is facing a criminal charge after Calvert County Sheriff’s Office deputies investigated a disturbance involving restaurant employees and customers at a Popeyes location in Dunkirk.

Andre Taijon Grice, 29, of Prince Frederick, was charged with disorderly conduct in Calvert County District Court following the June 9 incident.

According to charging documents, deputies responded at approximately 10:22 p.m. June 9 to the Popeyes restaurant in the 10800 block of Town Center Boulevard for a reported fight in progress. When deputies arrived, they found multiple customers and employees yelling at one another inside and outside the restaurant.

Investigators quickly determined the dispute was verbal and had not escalated into a physical altercation.

Witnesses told deputies they had arrived at the restaurant to pick up a food order when they observed two employees arguing. When they attempted to inquire about their order, Grice, who was identified as an employee, allegedly began yelling at them.

Court records state a verbal confrontation followed, with witnesses alleging Grice continued shouting at customers as tensions escalated. During the dispute, one customer reportedly pushed a glass jar containing peppers off a counter, causing approximately $10 in property damage.

Deputies interviewed multiple witnesses, including customers and employees. One witness told investigators she frequently picked up orders from the restaurant and had observed ongoing arguments involving Grice and another employee during previous visits.

Employees also told deputies that Grice had been arguing with a co-worker throughout the day and would become aggressive toward customers when they asked about their orders.

After responding to the scene, deputies reviewed surveillance footage with the restaurant’s general manager. According to court records, investigators concluded the video generally supported witness accounts of the disturbance. The footage also reportedly showed the customer pushing the jar from the counter.

According to charging documents, deputies noted that Grice appeared to have bloodshot eyes, smelled of alcohol and behaved erratically during their investigation. Authorities ultimately sought a disorderly conduct charge in connection with the incident.

A summons was issued on June 14, 2026.

Grice is scheduled to appear for a preliminary inquiry hearing Aug. 3, 2026, in Calvert County District Court.

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