His Restaurant
Kilimandjaro was a popular restaurant for soccer fans going to watch Middlesbrough F.C. play during the weekend. Many supporters would come to the restaurant after watching the game. It was always filled with lively energy.
His Restaurant
Waka Waka Chicken
One of the restaurant’s signature dishes was the Waka Waka Chicken. Its tasty flavor was a favorite for many fans. Three out-of-towners enjoyed this dish before leaving without paying, which absolutely shocked the staff.
Waka Waka Chicken
A Normal Weekend
It was a normal weekend at Kilimandjaro for Apollo and his team. The busy weekend shift was going as it usually did, service was running a smoothly as normal, and customers were making their way in flocks.
A Normal Weekend
Time with Family
On this particular weekend, Apollo had taken time off to be with his family. He was oblivious to what was happening in this restaurant but he trusted his employees, so he had peace of mind. That’s why he didn’t expect to receive a phone call.
Time With Family
The Three Men
Three men walked into the restaurant midway through the busy weekend shift. They were interested to sit down and eat some of Kilimandjaro’s food. After eating at a table, the staff could quickly pick up something different.
The Three Men
Away Team
The men’s accents were different. It was clear that they weren’t locals. Staff didn’t give it much thought and believed them to be supporters of the away team. It wasn’t long before they were placing their orders with the waitress.
Away Team
Enjoying Lunch
When you’re in a foreign place, it’s always a risk to walk into an unknown restaurant and place an order. However, these three men were happy that they chose to come to Kilimandjaro. All three men enjoyed the Waka Waka Chicken.
Enjoying Lunch
Receive the Check
The staff could easily see that the three men were enjoying their meals. This was visible through their lack of conversation. After polishing off their plates, the men were ready to receive the check for their food.
Receive The Check
Mystery Sauce
These men weren’t only blown away by the fantastic food. The sauce placed on the table was something the friends couldn’t get over. At first, the colors and logo of the bottle looked like another well-known chicken restaurant.
Mystery Sauce
Similar to Nando’s
Kilimandjaro’s mystery sauce looked familiar to Nando’s. However, after tasting it, the men all agreed that it was nothing like Nando’s version. They appreciated the distinctive flavor that was added to their delectable meal.
Similar To Nando’s
Time to Pay
Once they were satisfied, they were ready to pay. The total cost for their food was around $43. Harry, Alex, and Tom reached for their wallets to get their credit cards ready to pay for this meal. However, they didn’t expect what was about to happen.
Time To Pay
No Cards
While handing their cards over to the waitress, she was quick to tell the men that they didn’t accept cards. They were caught off guard when they were told they could only pay with cash. After this, the waitress quickly moved to the next table to take orders.
No Cards
Leaving the Restaurant
Once the waitress had left, the three men came up with an idea of their own. Because they couldn’t pay with a card, they came up with their own idea. When the waitress returned to take the cash, the men had left the restaurant.
Leaving The Restaurant
Contacting Apollo
The waitress was shocked at what she was seeing. The three men had failed to pay for their meals and had vanished into thin air. Naturally, the waitress had no choice but to contact Apollo, who wasn’t pleased.
Contacting Apollo
Confused
Apollo was left without any words once he got off the phone with the waitress. He didn’t understand how these men could be happy to eat their meals and not pay. It was shocking behavior that left him confused.
Confused
A Long Journey
Although Apollo had seen a lot in his time as a restaurant owner, he had never been so confused and enraged. His life had been a long journey filled with many ups and downs, and this was a moment he was going to remember.
A Long Journey
Land of Honest People
In an interview with Gazette Live, Apollo explained that his birth country, Burkina Faso, translates to ‘The Land of Honest People.’ Having spent his formative years in his birth country, he valued honesty.
Land Of Honest People
Desperate Measures
Apollo brought this value with him when he moved to the UK. Because of how much he valued honesty, he knew something needed to be done about these three men. In this case, he wasn’t afraid to take desperate measures.
Desperate Measures
Strong Feelings
The strong feelings Apollo had about this situation were because of his reputation as a trustworthy individual. He stated that this event made him lose some faith in humanity, and he wanted to ensure it never happened again.
Strong Feelings
Advising Staff
Apollo didn’t want this event to happen again. That’s why he advised his employees to make sure all customers were checked before paying. Although he was bitter, he hoped these customers would come back.
Advising Staff
No Hope
After a few days, there wasn’t any sign that these three men were going to return to pay for their meal. Nonetheless, Apollo had made a point to remain at the restaurant as much as possible. He slowly lost hope as the days passed.
No Hope
A Delivery
However, Apollo was shocked when he received a delivery. One of his employees ran in and presented him with something while he was working in his office. Everyone was curious about what was in the envelope.
A Delivery
Unexpected
The waiter informed Apollo that he had a letter for him that he needed to see. It was clear that the waiter could tell what was in the envelope, but he wanted Apollo to see it for himself. The owner took the unexpected letter and opened it.
Unexpected
Surprising
Apollo was intrigued by what he may find in it. However, he didn’t expect the contents of this letter to astound him in the way that it did. He was left speechless after what he saw. What was in the letter?
Surprising
Receiving Money
When he opened the letter, Apollo was surprised to see 40 pounds in notes falling out of the envelope and onto his desktop. Apollo has gone on to tell Gazette Live that he didn’t expect it. This was sent by Harry, Alex, and Tom who failed to pay for their meals.
Receiving Money
The Letter
Although the owner was stunned to see the money that covered the cost of the men’s meals, Apollo was hit with another shock when he opened the envelope and saw the letter inside. What did the men write?
The Letter
Sorry
Apollo could immediately tell that the men were deeply sorry for leaving without paying once he finished reading the letter. One of the men even said that it was their deepest apology for not paying the bill.
Sorry
Skeptical
Even though Apollo thought the boys were being sincere, he was still skeptical. However, this skepticism quickly vanished once Apollo read the entire letter. In here, the boys described what had occurred on that day.
Skeptical
Planned on Paying
Despite the three men not indicating that they intended to pay for their meal, they assured Apollo that they did. The issue was that they didn’t have any money on them. They continued stating that they didn’t know they couldn’t pay with a credit card.
Planned On Paying
Paying with Credit Card
The three men intended on paying with their credit cards but were told that the restaurant didn’t accept this form of payment. This explains why they left the restaurant without saying anything.
Paying With Credit Card
Looking for an ATM
They left to get some money to pay for their bill. However, it seems things didn’t go as they had planned. The men claimed that they made a deal with a member of staff to withdraw some money from an ATM and then return as fast as possible.
Looking For An ATM
Catching a Ride
While looking for an ATM, the men realized that the last train taking them back home was about to depart. This averted their attention away from finding an ATM. Instead, they ran to the train station to make the last train.
Catching A Ride
Living Far
At this point, the group had forgotten that they hadn’t paid their check. They were flustered to the point that the only thing they could think about was getting home. Unfortunately, they were miles away from the restaurant when they remembered the check.
Living Far
Loved the Restaurant
Harry, Alex, and Tom also told Apollo that they had an amazing time at the restaurant and that they wanted to give him a five-star rating. They stated that they wanted to get on TripAdvisor and leave a glowing review.
Loved The Restaurant
Restored His Faith in Humanity
After reading this letter, the restaurant owner was gobsmacked. He stated that it was so surprising when he first received the letter. He couldn’t believe that people like this existed. His faith in humanity was restored.
Restored His Faith In Humanity
Returning
Although there isn’t any evidence if the men returned to the restaurant to meet Apollo. However, they were true to their word and left a five-star review on TripAdvisor stating that they would recommend this place to anyone.
Returning
Not Open
Since the incident, Apollo’s restaurant was permanently closed. The reason for this is unknown, but other locations around the nation are operating. However, Apollo has drawn a lot of inspiration from this touching letter.
Not Open
Blessings
It’s undeniable that Apollo was disappointed when he had to close his restaurant. However, it didn’t take long for the businessman to get right back on his feet. It’s reported that he feels blessed being around his family more.
Blessings
Moving Forward
Even though Alex, Harry, and Tom couldn’t return to the restaurant, they expressed their gratitude in person. Additionally, the men were happy to hear that Apollo was prospering with his new endeavors.
Moving Forward
Working Hard
At the end of the day, Apollo’s main goal was always to be a successful businessman for his family. This would allow him to give them everything they desire in life. He wanted his children and wife to be happy.
Working Hard
For His Family
After hearing this story, we do not doubt that Apollo’s kids are going to grow up to follow in their father’s footsteps. He is the perfect role model to his children and this story proves it.
For His Family