Burger King has announced that actor Nikita Kologrivoy will not be served at its restaurants until he issues a formal apology to a Novosibirsk bar employee who was allegedly bitten during an altercation. This stance was conveyed by the company’s commercial director, Ivan Shestov, in a statement to socialbites.ca.
Shestov described Kologrivoy’s conduct as dishonorable and confirmed that service would be withheld until an apology is delivered to the staff member involved. The restaurant chain has already placed a sign in its Moscow location on Bolshaya Serpukhovskaya Street that features a crossed-out image of the actor, signaling his exclusion from Burger King venues for the time being. The sign carries a message dated March 21, 2024, which reads, Don’t bite restaurant workers’ knees, better bite the Whopper.
The executive indicated that similar notices are expected to be rolled out across other Burger King outlets in due course, with plans to display the signs in locations where the ban applies. He noted that the distribution might be staggered, explaining that the order was issued only recently and some restaurants have not yet placed the notices.
Earlier reports indicated that on March 20, the Novosibirsk police examined the incident involving Kologrivoy at a city bar. Media outlets quoted bar staff who claimed that the actor, described as a star from the television series The Boy’s Promise, exhibited excessive intoxication on the night of March 19. According to these accounts, he allegedly assaulted staff and disrupted service, with one employee allegedly being bitten after refusing sexual advances.
Subsequent proceedings involved the creation of an Administrative protocol on charges of petty hooliganism. On March 21, a court sentenced Kologrivoy to seven days in custody. The prosecutor’s office of the Novosibirsk region later indicated it would appeal the sentence, arguing for a longer detention period of up to 15 days. The office highlighted that the actor was heavily intoxicated at the time of the alleged incident, a factor they considered aggravating. They also emphasized concerns about Kologrivoy’s conduct setting a negative example for younger audiences.
Reports from Kologrivoy’s attorney at the time described the proposed resolution as a seven-day detention for disorderly conduct rather than a longer penalty, a characterization that reflected ongoing legal discussions surrounding the case.
Observers note that the brewing controversy has touched multiple fronts, from brand protection and employee safety to public image management for a star known for television roles. The actions by Burger King and the authorities illustrate the challenges public figures face when alleged misconduct intersects with customer-facing services and corporate standards. While the precise legal outcomes may still be evolving, the case has already prompted discussions about accountability, workplace respect, and the responsibilities of entertainment figures when in public spaces. In the aftermath, industry observers suggest that businesses are increasingly proactive in safeguarding staff and communicating expected standards to patrons, leveraging public statements and visible enforcement to deter similar behavior in the future.
As the public conversation continues, Burger King has reaffirmed its policy toward individuals who engage in conduct deemed harmful or disrespectful to employees. The company’s stance underscores a broader trend toward prioritizing safe and respectful environments in all its franchises. The evolving narrative surrounding Kologrivoy’s case serves as a reminder that actions in social settings can carry lasting consequences, affecting both personal reputation and professional opportunities. In this light, the situation stands as a notable example of how corporations translate high-profile incidents into concrete, enforceable measures for staff protection and brand integrity. Attribution: Socialbites.ca reports and related local coverage.