IHOP server in Austin writes 'black ppl' on couple's takeout receipt

Click the gallery to see celebrities and companies caught making racist comments. An Austin couple is raising questions after "black ppl" was printed on their to-go order receipt. Screengrab via FOX7Austin Click the gallery to see celebrities and companies caught making racist comments. An Austin couple is raising questions after "black ppl" was printed on their to-go order receipt. Screengrab via FOX7Austin Image 1 of / 50 Caption Close IHOP server in Austin writes 'black ppl' on couple's takeout receipt 1 / 50 Back to Gallery

A Texas couple is raising questions after finding "black ppl" printed on their IHOP receipt Monday morning.

Rolman Sparkman and his girlfriend Arainia Brown picked up their to-go order at the 24-hour restaurant in Austin about 3 a.m. Monday when Arainia discovered the description at the top of the receipt.

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"My girlfriend came up to me and said 'You see the receipt? It says black people on there,'" Sparkman told Fox7 Austin. "'I said what do you mean it says black people?"

The couple is curious as to why race would be used as an identifier.

Brown told Fox7 that she's worked as a waitress and knows there are alternative ways to identify people such as a number or the color of their shirt.

The couple said they will not return to that IHOP, located on Cesar Chavez.

The server, whose first name, Dwayne, is printed at the top of the receipt, contacted Fox7 and said IHOP has relieved him of his duties and apologized for the incident.

What made the matter even more disconcerting for the couple is that Dwayne is also black.

"That's kind of messed up that you have to put your own people down," Sparkman said.

IHOP has since issued a news release stating: "This was a poor choice made by our franchisee's team member, and is not in keeping with policies and procedures. We recognize that it could be offensive and sincerely apologize. Everyone is welcome in our restaurants and our franchisee is using this as a teachable moment for the entire team so that it will not reoccur."