Former Chick-fil-A Employee Charged in $80,000 Mac and Cheese Refund Scheme
Grapevine, Texas – A former Chick-fil-A employee has been arrested and charged with stealing over $80,000 from the fast-food chain through a fraudulent refund scheme involving mac and cheese trays. Keyshun Jones, 23, allegedly exploited the restaurant’s point-of-sale system to issue unauthorized refunds to his personal credit cards.
Details of the Scheme
The Grapevine Police Department began investigating the theft in November 2025 after being alerted by the owner of a local Chick-fil-A franchise. Surveillance footage revealed Jones, who had been terminated approximately a month prior, returning to the restaurant and using a register behind the counter without authorization. According to police, Jones rang up around 800 orders for mac and cheese trays and then refunded the total amount – just over $80,000 – to his own credit cards. USA Today and The New York Times both reported on the details of the alleged scheme.
Arrest and Charges
Following a five-month investigation, Jones was taken into custody on April 17, 2026, with assistance from the Texas Attorney General’s Fugitive Task Force and the Fort Worth Police Department. Fox 5 Atlanta reported on the arrest. He faces charges of property theft, money laundering, and evading arrest. As of April 30, 2026, Jones remains in custody at Tarrant County with a $110,000 bond. USA Today confirmed this bond amount.
Company and Legal Response
Chick-fil-A has deferred questions to local authorities due to the ongoing investigation. Jones’s defense attorney has not yet commented on the charges. BBC News reported that the lawyer declined to comment.
Mac and Cheese Costs
According to the Chick-fil-A catering menu, a large tray of mac and cheese costs approximately $100, depending on the location. BBC News cited this pricing information.
Key Takeaways
- A former Chick-fil-A employee is accused of stealing $80,000 through a mac and cheese refund scheme.
- The alleged fraud involved approximately 800 orders of mac and cheese trays.
- The suspect, Keyshun Jones, faces charges including property theft and money laundering.
- The investigation began in November 2025 and resulted in an arrest in April 2026.