Former Chick-fil-A Employee Allegedly Ran an $80,000 Mac and Cheese Refund Scheme
A former Chick-fil-A employee in Grapevine, Texas, is facing felony charges after police say he returned to the restaurant where he had been fired and used the register to ring up approximately 800 fraudulent orders of macaroni and cheese, then refunded more than $80,000 in those transactions directly to his own credit cards.
Keyshun Jones, 23, was arrested on April 17, 2026, following a five-month investigation that included multiple failed attempts to take him into custody.
How the Scheme Worked
According to Grapevine police, Jones was terminated from the restaurant in October 2025. The following month, surveillance footage captured him in the restaurant unattended, operating a register behind the counter. Police say he proceeded to ring up roughly 800 trays of macaroni and cheese, a menu item at the location, and then processed refunds on those transactions, funneling more than $80,000 to his personal credit cards over the course of the scheme.
The restaurant owner reported the theft to investigators, who began reviewing surveillance footage. The footage allowed them to identify Jones as the suspect despite his no longer being employed at the location. Police say he initially evaded arrest on multiple occasions after being identified, prompting an extended investigation that lasted until mid-April.
The Charges
Jones now faces charges of theft, money laundering, and evading arrest. Under Texas law, the combination of those charges carries potential prison sentences of up to 10 years. Jones has not publicly entered a plea, and no attorney representing him has issued a statement.
Refund and return fraud costs retailers hundreds of millions of dollars annually, and fast food chains are not immune. Employees who have access to point-of-sale systems are in a position to process returns without actually accepting any merchandise, issuing credits to payment cards they control.
Most chains use software that flags unusual transaction patterns, but those systems are not always monitored in real time, and a former employee who knows the system's rhythms can sometimes exploit gaps before the activity is flagged.
For Jones, the next step is a court appearance in Tarrant County. Grapevine police have not said whether additional charges are expected or whether other individuals are being investigated in connection with the scheme.
Curious for more stories that keep you informed and entertained? From the latest headlines to everyday insights, YourLifeBuzz has more to explore. Dive into what's next.