A confrontation inside a Whataburger restaurant in Paris, Texas, turned violent after an unruly customer allegedly berated employees, returned intoxicated, and attacked a manager, according to police and local reports, as reported [1] by The New York Post.
The incident occurred at the chain’s location in Paris, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas. Video of the altercation has circulated widely online, showing employees fighting back during the encounter.
Authorities identified the suspect as Anthony William Newhuis. According to WFAA, Newhuis had initially been ordered out of the restaurant before the situation escalated.
He allegedly returned and charged back inside, where police say he launched a violent attack on the manager.
Footage recorded by a customer shows the manager swinging a trash can at Newhuis as employees shout for someone to press the panic button.
The video captures the chaotic moments as workers attempt to stop the altercation inside the restaurant.
DO NOT Mess With Whataburger Workers In TEXAS!
Unless You Want To Get Beat Down With A Trash Can! pic.twitter.com/T7ByARgQiX [2]
— JC Vollentine (@Theonlyjcvolly) February 25, 2026 [3]
Billy Jones, the customer who filmed the incident, told Fox 4 News that another employee struck Newhuis on the head with a wire fry basket at the beginning of the confrontation. According to Jones, the blow caused Newhuis to fall to the floor.
Paris police later located Newhuis in the restaurant’s back parking lot, bleeding from the head. He was taken into custody and charged with assault causing bodily injury, public intoxication, and criminal mischief.
Police said the disturbance did not end with the arrest. Authorities allege that Newhuis continued to cause damage while in custody, flooding jail cells and accumulating an additional criminal mischief charge under $750.
Following the incident, a Whataburger spokesperson addressed the situation in a statement to local media.
“We take incidents such as this seriously and are fully cooperating with authorities,” the spokesperson said. The representative also noted that the safety of guests and employees remains a top priority for the company.
The altercation in Paris comes amid a series of recent incidents nationwide involving restaurant employees defending themselves during disputes with aggressive customers.
In December, a fight broke out at a Chipotle restaurant in Connecticut after video surfaced appearing to show a customer at the register throwing an object at an employee.
When the worker responded by throwing something back, the customer allegedly moved behind the counter, pushed workers aside and shoved an employee to the floor, triggering a larger brawl inside the restaurant.
The Whataburger incident remains under investigation. Authorities have not announced additional arrests or charges beyond those filed against Newhuis.