Five Guys founder Jerry Murrell said he distributed $1.5 million in bonuses to employees after a promotional event marking the chain’s 40th anniversary led to widespread disruptions across its restaurants.

Murrell, 82, told Fortune that a buy-one-get-one-free promotion earlier this year generated far more demand than expected, crashing the company’s app and forcing some locations to shut down the offer early. The surge left workers scrambling to manage large crowds and frustrated customers.

Rather than limit the response to an apology, Murrell said he chose to reward approximately 1,500 employees who handled the influx. He acknowledged the rollout had been mishandled, saying the company “screwed up” and was unprepared for the level of participation.

Murrell also joked in the interview that he wanted to avoid backlash after the first day of the promotion, referencing concerns about public reaction to corporate missteps. The remark came in the context of broader attention on executive safety following high-profile incidents in recent years.

The bonuses were issued after the February promotion, which drew criticism online from customers unable to access the deal. Five Guys publicly apologized at the time, stating it had not met its own standards and that employees had been placed in a difficult position.

The company later relaunched the promotion for four days in March in an effort to address customer concerns. Murrell said he viewed the bonus payments as a worthwhile investment in employees who endured the strain of the unexpected demand.

Murrell founded Five Guys in Arlington, Virginia, in 1986 and continues to lead the company, which has grown into a nationwide fast-casual chain.