The Cracker Barrel restaurant in Waldorf, Maryland, faced backlash after a group of special education students from Dr. James Craik Elementary School were refused service. The students, who were part of programs for students with cognitive disabilities or autism, were on a field trip as part of their community-based instruction. The restaurant claimed a staffing shortage led to the closure of the dining room, but the students were able to place a to-go order. However, they ended up waiting for an hour and had to eat back at the school bus. Following the incident, parents organized a protest at the restaurant and Yelp disabled reviews due to increased negative feedback. Cracker Barrel removed the general manager and two other employees from the location and opened an internal investigation. The company apologized for the incident and stated they have a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination. The community has shown support for the affected parents, with individuals across the country expressing plans to boycott the franchise. A protest, named #CanWeEatNow, is set to occur on December 15, with many Facebook users showing their support. The school district superintendent and Cracker Barrel executives have met to address the situation, working towards a resolution to ensure a welcoming environment for all guests.
Photo credit
www.usatoday.com
Cracker Barrel terminates 3 employees following incident involving special education group
