Shawneesha Cobbs, 28, along with her family, visited an Applebee’s in Portage, Indiana earlier this month, opting to take advantage of the restaurant’s “all you can eat” deal. The situation escalated when Cobbs and her group misunderstood the terms of the promotion, leading to a confrontation.
At approximately 8:40 p.m., local authorities were dispatched to the Applebee’s after receiving reports of a disturbance. Upon arrival, officers encountered a loud argument between several diners and the restaurant’s manager. According to witnesses, the disagreement began when Cobbs, another man, and several children argued with the manager over the “all you can eat” promotion. The group believed that one $15.99 meal could be shared among the entire party, allowing everyone to eat until they were satisfied.
The manager clarifies promotion terms
The Applebee’s manager clarified that the deal applied on a per-person basis, requiring each person receiving food from the “all you can eat” menu to pay the $16 fee. Fox32 reported that this explanation sparked further tension, with Cobbs and her party accusing the manager of being unprofessional and arguing that the menu did not clearly state the deal was per person. To validate her point, Cobbs handed a menu to a Portage police officer, asking them to review it. The officer identified and highlighted the portion of the menu that specified the deal was “per person” and relayed this information to Cobbs.
Escalation and arrest
During the incident, a couple at the restaurant attempted to leave, which triggered a reaction from Cobbs, who allegedly had a prior altercation with them. As Cobbs began yelling at the couple, officers on the scene intervened, cautioning her that she was becoming disorderly. Despite efforts from another woman in her group to calm her down, Cobbs reportedly continued her disruptive behavior.
Police warned that she would face arrest if she did not cease her actions. Cobbs ultimately did not comply, resulting in her arrest on charges of disorderly conduct. She was subsequently transported to the Porter County Jail.
The remaining members of Cobbs’ group paid their bill before leaving the restaurant. This incident highlights the importance of understanding the specific terms of promotional deals and the consequences that can arise from misunderstandings.