Startling her followers in 2019, former MLB writer/reporter for 13 years, Royle, decided to embrace her passion for the culinary world.
As the owner and chef at Table Boston, she has had a vivid journey, filled with both accolades and criticism.
Her online interactions with customers, however, have often been the subject of contention.
Royle’s most recent digital war of words with a customer over a canceled reservation has spiraled out of control.
The incident sparked widespread online outrage, proving damaging for Royle and her restaurant Table Boston.
Former sports reporter Jen Royle was involved in a viral feud over a cancelation at her Boston restaurant that led to a flood of negative Yelp reviews. ⏬https://t.co/fJKf3rl95n
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 26, 2024
In light of the ongoing controversy, Table Boston shut down its social media, while Royle’s Twitter and Instagram profiles went private.
The fallout further escalated as the restaurant faced a related onslaught of 1-star reviews on Yelp.
The contention started when a customer named Trevor Chauvin-Decaro had to unexpectedly cancel a booking due to an emergency hospitalization.
While understandable, the restaurant still charged him a cancellation fee of $250.
Chauvin-Decaro contested the charge through his credit card company, which supported his case and refunded him fully.
He thought the matter was settled until he received a message from Royle, displaying a lack of empathy.
Wild story incoming. Last month, we had to cancel our Boston trip after I was hospitallized. As a result I had to use travel insurance to get my money back on our hotel, train, and restaurant reservations. Today I got this message from @tableboston pic.twitter.com/d7jc84rllJ
— ghostface stuck on the subway (@trevorshowvan) February 22, 2024
The silent refusal from Table Boston and Royle’s tone prompted Chauvin-Decaro to share his disheartening experience with the public.
He disclosed his private conversation with Royle on social media, leading to significant backlash against her and the restaurant.
“Hi, Trevor. I own TABLE restaurant in Boston,” Royle wrote in the Instagram DM. “I just wanted to personally thank you for screwing over my restaurant and my staff when you disputed your cancellation fee.
“I really hope in the future you have more respect for restaurants, especially small businesses such as mine. Pathetic,”
In response to the public controversy following the shared conversation, Royle and Table Boston threatened Chauvin-Decaro with legal action.
The restaurant defended itself by referring to the fact that their conversation was initially private.
“We privately messaged you and you chose to take this public,” the restaurant wrote. “The amount of slander that the business is receiving is absolutely horrific. You will be hearing from our lawyers.”
Chauvin-Decaro emphasized that his cancellation was unforeseen and out of his control.
Speaking to the Boston Herald, he mentioned how he believed this scenario would be covered by his travel insurance, a belief supported by Chase, his credit card company.
Chauvin-Decaro decried Royle’s response to his complaint as not only unprofessional but also unreasonable.
Instead of focusing on the situation, he felt the restaurant owner’s reaction was inappropriate and unacceptable towards a potential customer.
I am appalled at the behavior exhibited towards a customer. It is insane that the owner of an establishment would see the travel insurance claim and then go and hunt for the customer on Instagram pic.twitter.com/Imq98jRuDS
— ghostface stuck on the subway (@trevorshowvan) February 22, 2024
The internet is rallying behind Chauvin-Decaro as the heated exchange between him and Royle creates a sensation in the digital world.
Royle’s response and Table Boston’s subsequent behavior led to substantial online backlash, revealing the impact such debacles can have on an online reputation.
