We’ve all seen those signs that say “No shirt, No Shoes, No Service” in front of establishments. To a more extreme degree, we’ve also all been teenagers going into a convenience store with our backpacks after class who were told to “get out before you steal something!”
When stores and restaurants enforce biased rules that aren’t aligned with sanctioned regulations, it can be difficult to see what the point of them is. On one hand, the people who own stores should in theory be able to decide who is allowed in their place of business and who is not.
On the other, the line between reasonable regulation and problematic ones is very thin, and easy to cross.
The beloved restaurant chain Arby’s is currently getting quite the backlash for a new rule in place at one of their Minnesota locations.
Christine Hemsworth explained to KARE 11 that she went to the Elk River Arby’s location with her three children and noticed an odd sign posted on the door of the restaurant upon her arrival.
“Only well behaved Children who can keep their food on their trays and their bottoms on their seats are welcome.”
“If you can’t do this you will be asked to leave,” the sign continues. “Thanks!”
As a mother of a two-year-old, the sign worried Hemsworth, who told KARE 11 that her young toddler often stands up during meals.
“He doesn’t always keep his fries on the tray or his bottom on the seat,” she said. “He sometimes stands up.”
“It was kind of uncomfortable in the restaurant the time we were there.”
“I have a toddler. I wasn’t sure if it was because they didn’t want to clean up messes,” she continued. “I always clean up my children’s mess anyways but it was an uncomfortable and stressful meal.”
Hemsworth said that wasn’t the only reason the meal was uncomfortable for her family.
She claimed that one of the Arby’s employees even swore in front of her children, which prompted her to call the Arby’s hotline.
Arby’s has since reached out and apologized both for the sign and the behavior of their employee.
“We recognize the language on this sign was insensitive,” their statement reads.
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As their representative said, “We removed it quickly and have disciplined the manager and team working at the restaurant.”
“It does not reflect our company values and the family-friendly environment we aim to provide in all of our restaurants.”
Do you think that a sign asking unruly kids to leave is fair?
Should chain restaurants have standardized experiences and rules across the board, or should individual locations get to decide what their restaurant experience looks like?
Though that isn’t an easy question to answer, an apology was certainly warranted in this case.
