An Oklahoma woman claims that an Arby's employee's spit in her food gave her herpes, leading to a felony poisoning charge against the former manager. The incident has prompted a lawsuit against the restaurant and its parent companies.
Customer Contracts Herpes After Arby's Visit
Jennica Church, 26, alleges that Amanda Hendricks, a former manager at an Arby's in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, spat in her food on June 10, 2026. Church said she stopped at the restaurant after a long bartending shift. “I love Arby’s — not anymore,” she told 2 News Oklahoma. Church said her order took unusually long, and she thought staff were upset because the restaurant was about to close.
Church ate the food at home, sharing sandwiches with her father-in-law and grandmother-in-law. Shortly after, her mouth flared up, and a doctor diagnosed her with herpes. Church said she had a minor prior history with Hendricks but nothing significant.
Manager Allegedly Bragged About Spitting
Word spread quickly in the small town of Broken Bow. Church claimed that Hendricks bragged about spitting in the sandwiches, and Church's daughter heard about it. Police obtained security camera footage from the Arby's showing Hendricks spitting in the food, according to an affidavit from 2 News Oklahoma. Hendricks, 34, was charged with felony poisoning with intent to injure, and a warrant was issued for her arrest.
Family Files Lawsuit
The Church family has filed a lawsuit against Hendricks, Arby's, and affiliated restaurant groups, including Flynn Restaurant Group. The suit claims the incident caused extreme anxiety, emotional distress, and fear of infection. Church fears it will impact her work in the service industry. “If I go out to eat and see someone with a big thing on their face, I don’t want them serving me food,” she told 10 News.
Church's attorney, Will Blocker, expressed shock at Hendricks' behavior and criticized other employees who witnessed the spitting but did nothing. “They let it go all the way out the door, and my client now has a communicable disease,” Blocker said. “That has to be a culture deeper than Arby’s in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. Maybe it’s Flynn Restaurant Group and all 300 stores they own. I don’t know, but we are going to find out.”
Legal and Health Implications
Felony poisoning charges carry serious penalties in Oklahoma, including potential prison time. Herpes is a lifelong viral infection that can cause recurrent outbreaks. The case has drawn attention to food safety and employee conduct in fast-food establishments. Arby's has not publicly commented on the incident. The lawsuit seeks damages for medical expenses, emotional distress, and lost wages.
