Hawaii burger restaurant closes after video appears to show rat cooking on grill

A burger restaurant in Mapunapuna, Hawaii, was closed and two employees were fired after a Snapchat video reportedly showed a rat cooking on a grill.

The Associated Press reported Thursday that Teddy’s Bigger Burgers closed their Mapunapuna location on the island of O’ahu after being made aware of the Snapchat video.

“We are horrified that a former teenage employee would conduct themselves in that way and make such a video of which we are investigating its authenticity,” the chain’s president, Richard Stula, told the AP.

{mosads}Before the restaurant can reopen, a team of auditors from the chain’s corporate management will inspect the location after it finishes replacing all utensils in the restaurant.

“We will then send a corporate team in to inspect and complete a thorough audit of the location before it is allowed to re-open,” Stula said.

The Hawaii state Department of Health told the AP in a statement that it appreciated “proactive” steps taken by the company, and added that a licensed pest control contractor would also inspect the building before it is reopened.

“DOH appreciates the remedial and proactive efforts undertaken by the restaurant owner to protect public health,” Peter Oshiro told the AP.

The Mapunapuna location previously was declared safe for operation in June after a routine health inspection, according to the AP. Stula says his company is considering legal action against the employees involved, who he blamed for tarnishing the company’s brand.

“We are horrified a former employee would create something like this trying to destroy our reputation without regard for our 20-plus years of quality and aloha,” he said.