The company is famous for its crispy chicken sandwiches, waffle fries, hospitality, and the fastest drive-thru in the business, but one Chick-fil-A location says it's no longer its pleasure to serve unattended minors. The fast-food restaurant in Royersford, Pennsylvania, recently enacted a policy stating that adults must accompany customers younger than 16. The restaurant claims that the change is because of inappropriate behavior, and the decision has ruffled a lot of people's feathers.
The Royersford Chick-fil-A is located near an Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park, where kids tend to get overly excited and sometimes rowdy, Philadelphia Magazine reported. The restaurant claims parents drop off their off at the trampoline venue, and the kids make their way over to Chick-fil-A when their jump time is over. That's when the trouble starts, and the restaurant is over it.
The restaurant does not want kids acting like fools inside.
The idea that kids should act respectfully and politely in restaurants is not new. And if you're a parent, you really want your kids to behave when you're not there, but that might not always happen.
According to this Chick-fil-A, that is exactly what is going on. Kids are running amok while customers try to enjoy their meals, and the restaurant says the excitement from the trampoline park is perpetrating these "unacceptable behaviors."
Royersford Chick-fil-A announced the new policy to customers last week.
A lengthy Facebook post released by the Pennsylvania restaurant explains the location's stance on requiring kids younger than 16 to be with an adult. According to the post, management contemplated the post for quite some time before deciding to announce the policy.
The statement explains that the problems arise on Saturdays and weekdays when kids are out of school. Although it loves being a "community restaurant and serving guests of all ages, some issues must be addressed."
The restaurant is calling out unaccompanied minors' 'unacceptable behaviors.'
First, the Chick-fil-A claims kids are loud and use "explicit language." As a family restaurant, this "will not be tolerated," the statement reads.
The company also alleges that young people disrespect other customers, often vandalize tables and restrooms, and sometimes steal decorations. But it doesn't stop there. According to this particular restaurant, kids are pretty disrespectful too.
Employees often take the brunt of the bad behavior.
According to the statement, kids without an adult can be pretty mean to restaurant employees. "Employees are laughed at, made fun of, and treated rudely. Employees are cursed at and ignored when they ask the children and teens to either change their behavior or leave," the statement asserts.
The restaurant also complains of unsafe behavior in the parking lot that could result in serious injury or death. All of these things led to the company's decision to enact the ban.
"As a result, to dine in our restaurant, anyone under the age of 16 is required to be accompanied by an adult. If not accompanied by an adult, they may come in to purchase food, but must take it to go," the statement reads.
The restaurant was quick to praise those who act appropriately.
The Chick-fil-A location did not ignore that there are young customers who do not act inappropriately when a parent is not around and is grateful to them. Additionally, Chick-fil-A wants parents to understand it's not their fault. But, as we know, kids can be jerks and act out, and that's what appears to be happening here.
"Parents, we are not blaming you. Children and teens are learning to navigate the world free from supervision and often push the boundaries," the statement continues. "We simply can't let them push those boundaries anymore at our restaurant. We encourage you to talk to your children and ask about behaviors they have seen and perhaps participated in."
The community supports the decision.
Many people wish other restaurants would adopt a similar policy.
"We completely support you in your decision. My daughter works at Hallmark and these same kids often enter the store and are as disrespectful to their staff," one mom wrote. "Thank you for standing your ground!"
"I witnessed a group of these kids a few weeks back on a Saturday while trying to grab lunch and I gotta say, I'm surprised it took you this long to say something," another customer commented. "Their behavior was awful and made for an uncomfortable experience trying to enjoy lunch. I fully support your decision and am sorry you have been dealing with it for so long."
"Its a restaurant not a daycare," someone else pointed out.
Others think the behavior is a result of poor parenting and the restaurant is taking the brunt of it.
"I agree with the management's decision. People need to stop expecting everyone else to raise their children. Parent do not discipline or teach their children the avenues of respect anyone more," one supporter wrote. "The customer is not always Right! Why should the restaurant allow this disrespectful behavior to continue? People come into sit and have a quiet meal not for a disruptive side show."
"Parents need to maybe know where their kids are and what they are doing. Or set some more strict standards," another person urged. "It's called teach respect to others, clean up after yourself, and use manners when in public. Kudos to your establishment for making this change."
Royersford Chick-fil-A isn't the first restaurant to take a stand against kids' bad behavior.
Nettie's House of Spaghetti in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, announced earlier this month that it would no longer allow children younger than 10 to dine in its restaurant, even those accompanied by adults. The business cited similar concerns about bad behavior and customers having an unpleasant dining experience because of loud and misbehaving kids.
"We know that this is going to make some of you very upset, especially those of you with very well-behaved kids, but we believe this is the right decision for our business moving forward," the company shared in a Facebook statement. "Thank you for understanding."
