News

Prankster releases rat at McDonald’s, causing chaos

February 14, 2019

It's not the type of publicity McDonald's seeks.

On Feb. 5, a young man walked into a busy Newark, New Jersey McDonald's and released a big white rat, causing customers to rush out, according to a Fox News report.

Forty seconds of the incident captured on video by someone walking right behind the prankster have garnered more than 247,000 views on Facebook.

A child accompanying the young man asks to hold the rodent right before the prankster opens the plastic container and releases it onto the floor in the main dining area.

Customers shout and the rush for the doors, although some can also be heard laughing.

The prankster and the child soon leave. Shortly afterward, the rat exits through the front door.

Company officials said they are working with police to apprehend the suspect.

Restaurant staff cleaned and sanitized the dining area, said the store owner and operator Celest Quintana.