Eagle Rock Subway shut down after workers expose rat infestation, prompting protest and public health order
Los Angeles County Public Health ordered the immediate closure of a Subway in Eagle Rock on Sept. 4, 2025, after employees publicly exposed a long‑standing rat infestation, sharing images and video that prompted inspections and a public health shutdown.
Key takeaways
- Immediate closure: LA County Public Health closed the Eagle Rock Subway on Sept. 4, 2025, after workers provided photos and videos showing rodents, droppings and chewed food — see the ABC7 report and a worker video.
- Longstanding complaints: Employees say the problem dates to early 2024, with internal reports and formal complaints reportedly filed with Cal/OSHA — workers shared footage documented in a posted video.
- Labor action: Staff staged a protest demanding professional pest removal, deep cleaning and compensation for lost wages; protest footage was circulated and shown to local reporters (protest video).
What happened
On Sept. 4, 2025, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health ordered an immediate closure of the Subway restaurant in Eagle Rock after employees went public with imagery they said showed live and dead rats, rodent droppings and food with bite marks. Local coverage referenced the closure following review of worker-supplied evidence and on-site inspection; read the ABC7 report and view a recorded worker video.
What workers say happened
Employees described discovering live and dead rats in kitchen and storage areas, frequent droppings and loaves of bread with chew marks. One worker told reporters:
“We’re tired of cleaning up and disposing of the rodents.”
Staff said they were expected to handle sanitation issues without pest-control training or protective equipment.
Multiple employees say they raised the issue repeatedly with store management through 2024 and into 2025 but received no effective remediation. The complaints and recorded evidence were later shared publicly and with regulators; a worker video documenting complaint escalation is available here.
Employee protest and demands
Workers organized a protest outside the Eagle Rock Subway after internal complaints reportedly produced no change. Protesters demanded:
- Professional pest removal and deep cleaning
- Compensation for lost wages during the mandated closure
- Stronger workplace safety measures and accountability from the franchise owner
Video footage of the demonstrations and employee statements was shared with local news outlets and contributed to heightened scrutiny by public health officials; sample footage is published here and here.
LA County Public Health steps in
Following receipt of photos and video from staff, inspectors from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health conducted an investigation and issued an immediate closure order on Sept. 4, 2025. The department cited unsanitary conditions consistent with a rodent infestation and mandated the restaurant remain closed until professional pest control and deep cleaning are completed.
Health officials emphasized that restaurants must meet strict sanitation standards to protect public safety. Local reporting indicates the closure followed review of worker evidence in addition to the on-site inspection; coverage available via ABC7.
Timeline and documented evidence
Employees and reporters trace the rat problem back to early 2024. Staff say they documented incidents, filed complaints and retained records shared with Cal/OSHA. In the weeks before the closure, workers circulated video showing droppings, chewed bread loaves and rodents in food-prep areas; local outlet Patch published images and a timeline of events.
Labor tensions and workplace safety concerns
Employees framed the closure as both a public health matter and a labor dispute. They cited longstanding complaints about wages, scheduling and safety. Several staff members said they were asked to remove carcasses and clean rodent-affected areas without protective gear or pest-control support, and only organized publicly after feeling ignored.
Company response
Reporters asked for comment from the Eagle Rock franchise owner and Subway corporate offices but, at the time of reporting, received no public statement. Multiple attempts to secure management comment were made prior to publication; a worker video referencing contact attempts is posted here.
What the health order requires
The closure order requires:
- Professional pest control services and a deep cleaning of all affected areas
- Disposal of any food exposed to contamination
- Correction of structural issues that permit rodent entry
- Follow-up inspections before reopening
Implications for Los Angeles
Economic: The closure affects local business activity and employees’ earnings, potentially reducing foot traffic on a busy Eagle Rock strip and imposing remediation costs on the franchise owner.
Public health & consumer confidence: High-profile closures tied to rodent infestation can shake consumer trust and prompt patrons to check inspection scores; LA County’s intervention highlights how staff reports can lead to regulatory action.
Labor & oversight: The incident spotlights channels workers use when internal complaints fail, including Cal/OSHA filings and public sharing of evidence; labor advocates may press for faster enforcement and better protections for food workers who report unsafe conditions.
Visual reporting and community reaction
Video and images supplied by employees were central to local coverage. Community response included concern about public safety and calls for more transparent and timely inspections of neighborhood eateries. Local news segments aired footage showing droppings and bite marks and included worker interviews — sample local video coverage is available here and here.
Reporting notes and sources
This report is based on worker interviews and visual evidence shared with local media, the Los Angeles County Public Health closure notice and local coverage from the following sources:
- ABC7
- Patch
- Worker video (YouTube: e7R9‑Necqtk)
- Worker/protest video (YouTube: WmGvN4y65JQ)
- Worker video documenting complaints (YouTube: UO‑7VuFQ3uA)
Requests for comment were made to the Eagle Rock Subway franchise owner and Subway corporate offices through public contact channels; no official statements had been provided at the time of publication.
