At a restaurant in Hollywood, a would-be influencer claimed he paid someone $500 and even covered the cost of a meal in hopes of promoting a struggling mom-and-baby diner.
The owners of Hollywood Thai Restaurant shared that, facing dwindling business, they had decided to engage a “mega-influencer” to help with promotions, but it seems he ended up exploiting their small business instead, according to a post on social media.
This situation began when Christian Garcia reached out, offering to create a promotional reel for $575, as reported by the restaurant’s social media manager. After negotiations, he agreed to lower his fee to $500.
They maintain they paid him the reduced fee and covered the meal as well. However, after several delays and attempts to reach out, the restaurant soon realized that Mr. Garcia had no intention of fulfilling his end of the deal after accepting the money and the meal.
“Unfortunately, after more than two months, when we cashed the check, it became clear he wasn’t going to post anything,” the message conveyed.
This small, family-owned establishment noted that many businesses like theirs are facing challenges due to a significant drop in foot traffic, prompting them to consider influencer promotions.
Now, they’re simply seeking justice and hope that people might stop by to help keep their family-run business afloat.
“We would appreciate any visit to assist in recovering our losses,” the post concluded, adding, “The quality of our food remains unchanged, and we still believe in what we serve. We hope this message might encourage him to amend his actions.”
The restaurant’s social media manager indicated that other dining establishments have encountered similar issues with the same influencer.
“It’s tough to spot these scams unless you really dig into social media and know what to look for,” they remarked.
Garcia eventually seemed to address the situation by posting about the restaurant after a delay. He also expressed some form of apology for his actions and mentioned his intention to step away from social media to focus on other commitments.
His statement included a commitment to continue promoting previously agreed-upon brand partnerships while acknowledging a personal break, noting that sometimes being honest about one’s situation is essential.
In response, many came to the Thai restaurant’s defense, criticizing the influencer. One user remarked that after hearing about the attempted scam, they decided to dine there. Another urged support for local businesses, emphasizing their long-standing affection for Hollywood Thai.
The California Post has reached out to the restaurant for further comments.
