Summary (tl;dr)

An former Arby's manager in Oklahoma has been charged with felony poisoning after allegedly spitting into a customer's sandwich, which a subsequent lawsuit claims led to the customer contracting oral herpes.

Essential Background

On March 28, 2026, Jennica Church ordered food from an Arby's drive-thru in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. A former manager, Amanda Hendricks, 38, was allegedly captured on surveillance video spitting into Church's sandwich while preparing the order. Church later developed symptoms, including a cold sore, and tested positive for Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1), commonly known as oral herpes.

The Full Story

Amanda Hendricks has been formally charged with felony poisoning with intent to injure. She was arrested and is currently being held in McCurtain County Jail. Investigators reportedly interviewed Hendricks, who allegedly admitted to the act, stating there was no point denying it due to the existing surveillance footage. In addition to the criminal charges, Jennica Church has filed a civil lawsuit against Hendricks, the local Arby's franchise operators, and Flynn Restaurant Group. The lawsuit claims that Hendricks was working with a visible, active herpes outbreak and that other employees witnessed the tampering but did not intervene. Both the criminal case and the civil lawsuit are ongoing.

Why It Matters

This incident has sparked significant public concern regarding food safety, employee conduct, and the accountability of fast-food establishments. The alleged transmission of a communicable disease through food tampering has raised alarming questions about public health risks within the service industry. The case highlights the profound impact such actions can have on victims, who, like Church and her family, face emotional distress and fears of further transmission.

Geographic Location

• Arby's Restaurant, Broken Bow, McCurtain County, Oklahoma, United States (location of alleged food tampering incident)
• McCurtain County Jail, McCurtain County, Oklahoma, United States (location of manager's detention)