Popeyes manager fired after robbery seeks $5.5M

Grace White | KHOU-TV, Houston

Show Caption Hide Caption Fired Popeyes manager suing for $5.5 million The pregnant Popeyes manager who was fired after an armed robbery is suing the company for $5.5 million. Marrisa Holcomb, through her attorney, says the money is for emotional distress she experienced.

HOUSTON — The pregnant restaurant manager fired after refusing to pay back money taken during an armed robbery, is now demanding $5.5 million.

Marissa Holcomb is asking for the amount for emotional distress.

Holcomb was a manager at a Popeyes fried-chicken restaurant when a man held her at gunpoint during her March 31 shift and demanded she empty the cash register.

Surveillance video shows a man run into the restaurant with a beanie over his face while waving a gun. He forced all employees to the floor, then turned his attention to Holcomb.

Holcomb said she was originally terminated because she refused to pay back the $400 that was stolen during the robbery. The owner of Z&H Foods, Amin Dhanani, argued she was fired because she broke company policy multiple times by leaving too much money in the register.

Holcomb was offered her job back — and $2,000 in back pay.

A letter from her attorney, Marc Bozeman, states, "Even though you have offered to give the job back to her only to save face after experiencing bad publicity, the damage from your egregious conduct has been done."

Holcomb's attorney is now giving Popeyes and the local franchise Z & H Foods 30 days to respond to the request or he will file a lawsuit.

In the meantime, Holcomb will be working at a different Popeyes location. Her first day is Thursday.

Popeyes did not return requests for comment.

Contributing: Tiffany Craig, KHOU-TV, Houston