Hereford House Leawood Shutters After 28 Years Amid Shocking Allegations
The Hereford House restaurant in Leawood, Kansas, has announced its closure after nearly three decades of serving the community. The decision comes in the wake of a criminal investigation involving a former employee accused of tampering with the restaurant's food, leading to a series of lawsuits and financial strain.A Beloved Establishment Forced to Close Its Doors
The Hereford House Legacy Comes to an End
The Hereford House in Leawood has been a fixture in the community for nearly 28 years, opening its doors in November 1996. Over the years, it has hosted countless celebrations, family dinners, and business meetings, becoming a beloved destination for great food and community engagement. The restaurant has been a proud participant in various charitable and community events, serving Leawood and the surrounding areas.However, the Hereford House's long-standing presence in the community has come to an abrupt end. The restaurant's management has announced that the "financial strains caused by recent events" have led to the difficult decision to close the Leawood location on August 3, 2024.Allegations of Food Tampering and Legal Fallout
The closure of the Hereford House Leawood location is directly linked to a criminal investigation involving a former employee. In March and April of 2024, the Leawood Police Department received a tip from another law enforcement agency about a potential employee intentionally contaminating food at the restaurant.Court documents allege that the employee, Jace Hanson, engaged in a disturbing pattern of misconduct, including spitting in food, touching food with his feet, and other unthinkable actions. This led to several lawsuits filed by customers who claimed to have suffered illnesses resembling food poisoning after dining at the Hereford House.Hanson was arrested and remains in custody at the Johnson County Detention Center, facing 22 counts of criminal threat in connection with the Hereford House investigation, as well as 10 counts of child exploitation and a single count of criminal damage to property.The Impact on the Hereford House Team and Community
The closure of the Hereford House Leawood location has been a heartbreaking decision for the restaurant's management and staff. The team of chefs, managers, servers, kitchen staff, and support personnel have demonstrated unwavering commitment and loyalty to the Hereford House brand over the years.In a statement, the restaurant's management expressed their gratitude to the incredible team and their intention to work with each member to find them positions at other Hereford House locations or within the broader restaurant community.The Hereford House Leawood has also been a beloved institution in the community, fostering countless wonderful relationships with its guests and friends over the past 28 years. The management has expressed their sincere hope that the community will continue to support the Hereford House brand at the other locations in Independence, Shawnee, and Zona Rosa.A Difficult but Necessary Decision
The decision to close the Hereford House Leawood location was not an easy one, but it was necessitated by the recent events that were beyond the restaurant's control. The management has acknowledged the public and media scrutiny that the staff has endured, and they have expressed their gratitude to those who have continued to support the Hereford House brand during this challenging time.While the closure of the Leawood location marks the end of an era, the Hereford House brand will continue to operate in other locations, serving the community and upholding the values that have made it a beloved institution for nearly three decades.New
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