The Colorado-based Japanese, fast-casual chain Tokyo Joe’s is apologizing for a sign posted on a bathroom door at a Denver location saying the “restrooms are for Tokyo Joe’s addicts only.”
State Rep. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, took issue with the sign Wednesday, posting a photo on Twitter with the caption “#addiction is no laughing matter.”
He added: “We had a bill to help stop overdose deaths in bathrooms. @TokyoJoes can do better.”
Thank you for pointing this out. Our loyalty program is called the Tokyo Joe’s Addict Club. I will address with this restaurant immediately as the intent was not to poke fun at addiction or limit the bathroom usage to paying guests.
— Tokyo Joe’s (@tokyojoes) April 19, 2018
The chain said it agreed that the sign was inappropriate and was only meant to ensure paying guests were using the restrooms.
“We agree this was 100% inappropriate and inconsistent with our brand values. We would never make light of the opioid epidemic,” the restaurant said on its Twitter account. “We apologize for letting our fans down. We will be addressing this internally first thing (Thursday) a.m. We can and will do better.”
We agree this was 100% inappropriate and inconsistent with our brand values. We would never make light of the opioid epidemic. We apologize for letting our fans down. We will be addressing this internally first thing this AM. We can and will do better.
— Tokyo Joe’s (@tokyojoes) April 19, 2018
Tokyo Joe’s loyalty program is called the “Addict Club.”
The Denver Post reached out to a representative from the restaurant chain Thursday but didn’t immediately hear back.
The situation comes amid heightened scrutiny of late involving other signs and marketing materials from Colorado restaurants.
Boulder-based Hapa Sushi’s ad campaign in downtown Denver was pulled last month after concerns were raised about a message pairing a tweet from President Donald Trump with the restaurant’s logo and a message that read, “Eat well before it all ends.”
The global warming we should be worried about is the global warming caused by NUCLEAR WEAPONS in the hands of crazy or incompetent leaders!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 8, 2014
In November, ink! Coffee created a national stir with a sign outside of its Five Points location that said “Happily gentrifying the neighborhood since 2014.”
As for the Tokyo Joe’s sign, Singer said he was thankful for the company’s response and just wanted to prompt a discussion. He said he was even planning to eat at the Tokyo Joe’s near the Colorado Capitol — a favorite among legislators — for lunch Thursday.
“I’m sure you meant no harm,” Singer posted on Twitter. “Perhaps we can talk over a Spicy-Aki Udon Bowl with one of your good neighbors at (Denver’s Harm Reduction Action Center).
The Daily Camera contributed to this report.
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