Boston Market

Hello,
After having picked up my sister and my nephews from work and school as well as post-extracurricular activities, we set out approximately 10 miles from our current destination to dine together at the closest Boston Markest restaurant, which is the location listed above. Upon our arrival at 9:20pm (with a noted closing time of 10:00pm as indicated on the site, front door, etc.), the staff were actively cleaning up. There were approximately 4-5 customers still inside who were anxiously trying to consume their food, or get it packed up whereas to vacate the restaurant since they felt like they were being "pushed out". As we exited the car, a staff member yelled from the door, "We only have ribs." To my sister and I's surpise, we asked if we could just come in and see what was being offered instead of yelling back and forth in a parking lot at night. The staff member reluctantly agreed to let us in and we were met with sharp eyes, fierce tones and a totally unfriendly atmosphere. What we could not understand is why everything was totally shut down including all stations, the warmers, drink machines, etc. if the closing time was 40 minutes away. As a service worker, I can understand getting a jump start on things; however, this was totally unacceptable. As the employee behind the counter mopped, she rudely informed us that there was nothing for us to get, despite us staring at a few sides in the warmer (which was off at this point), making the food look old and cold. We said we were just looking and considering our choices since we contemplated getting some sides, and obtaining meat from somewhere else; however, the staff continued to be rude. We inquired as to why the front door was locked, the side door was locked and why all the food and machines were shut down, and we were met with blank stares and silence. I am totally disappointed in the lack of customer service at this branch and will never return again- in fact, I am considering boycotting the whole franchise and encouraging others to the same. I just read an article noting that many of the Boston Market locations will be closing in 2020 and I hope this is one of them. Let me get back to the story...as we exited the store, we continued to notice the staff mopping, putting chairs on tables while people were sitting relatively close, breaking down the soda machine while guests were still present, taking up all the rugs, etc. It was not a pleasant or friendly place to dine. One woman noted that she was just no longer comfortable and asked for some assistance with obtaining items to go. As we were exiting, we saw 2 young ladies trying to enter the front door, which was locked. The staff proceeded to stare at them, without offering any rhyme or reason as to why the door was locked, at a now 9:25pm, again with a closing time of 10:00pm. The young girls were not offered any interaction, conversation, explanation- NOTHING! They checked their cell phones to be sure they had the correct location and closing time- my sister and I informed them of what was happening and they too were appalled.

In closing, for someone who has frequented this chain for quite sometime, this is truly a saddening experience and I never have a filed a formal complaint at this level for any chain or organization; however, I though this needed to be documented.