How much is a week of having diarrhea worth?
When you think of an apology from your favorite fast-food spot after you got food poisoning…you might picture a heartfelt “We’re sorry,” together with a generous refund.
Or maybe something special to make things right – right?
But not for Eric. The result was… quite disappointing.
For Eric Williams (@ericwillztt), a TikTok user who claims he got food poisoning from In-N-Out, got a resolution that was unexpected enough to cause a stir online.
@ericwillztt Spoiler alert: it’s not enough! #innout #innoutburger #foodpoisoning #storytime #foodhaul #reveal ♬ original sound – Eric Williams
So, what did In-N-Out offer to make up for what he calls a “full week of diarrhea”?
Two guest cards for free burgers and fries.
Yup, you heard that right.
In the video, which has since racked up over 2 million views, Eric takes his audience through the moment he opens his envelope from In-N-Out.
“Get ready with me to find out how much In-N-Out Burger gave me after they poisoned me for a full week,” he begins, inviting viewers to guess what kind of apology he received.
Instead of cash or even a sizable gift card, Eric reveals two single-use “valued guest cards.”
The cards?
Each good for one double-double burger, fries, and a drink.
“The diarrhea was not worth it,” he concludes, sharing a mix of humor and frustration.
Many people in the comments were quick to add their own thoughts, some poking fun at the irony.
“It’s so you can go back and experience it all again for free!” Tiktok user Colin Burns77 joked, while others questioned whether the response would discourage them from returning.
The two burger cards stirred debate about what brands owe customers who go through a rather unpleasant experience and what customers actually want to feel like a brand has made amends.
Whether it’s a $5 gift card or two free burgers, the concept of “compensation” in cases of alleged food poisoning sparks a bigger conversation.
What should companies offer to customers who experience something as serious as illness from their food?
For some people, the free meal tickets might seem fine—it’s just fast food, after all.
But to others, it symbolizes a larger problem of companies sidestepping real accountability with insincere responses.
It’s not as simple as replacing a cold meal or issuing a refund; when health is involved, customers expect a level of accountability that goes beyond free product offers.
Food poisoning is NO joke.
For a chain with a dedicated fan base like In-N-Out, the way they respond to these situations affects more than just the individuals involved, it also shapes how people perceive the brand’s commitment to quality and customer care.
And for viewers of the TikTok, it’s also a moment to ask: How much is an apology worth?
Do you think it’s okay for a company to “make things right” with just a meal voucher, or does it call for something more sincere?