Skeleton hanging in Myrtle Beach area Chipotle gets backlash. Here’s what we know

A life-sized plastic skeleton at Chipotle might not be out of place in October, but a February display at a Myrtle Beach-area location garnered backlash after an employee thought it racist.

Images shared to Facebook by someone identifying themselves as a former Chipotle employee show the skeleton decoration dressed in a Chipotle worker uniform hanging above a table. The skeleton’s shirt is adorned with a tag that reads “Vinny” with a heart.

The fast casual Mexican chain has several Grand Strand restaurants, but the skeleton was displayed at the 1000 S. Commons Drive location.

The social media user who shared the post said that they quit as a result of the incident, writing that employees thought the display was a “joke” and “dark humor.”

The Sun News reached out to the former employee but did not hear back.

“The GM Had Not A Damn Thing To Say But ‘Thats Inappropriate’ Then When I Pull Out The Camera To Record They Wanna Take It Down!! We Are In The Middle Of Black History Month … The Fact That This [s---] Is Still Happening Today In 2026 But It’s Supposed To Be Taking As A Joke Is Diabolical To Me!!” the post said.

In response, Chipotle told The Sun News that the display had been removed, the employees involved no longer work at the restaurant and the company is in contact with the former employee who quit.

“An employee involved said that there was no racial motivation or intent behind the display referenced in the social media post,” a Chipotle spokesperson said. “While it was not intended to reference or target any individual or community, we understand how it may have been perceived and we take these concerns very seriously.”