Discrimination at the local Burger King restaurant
 

Due to foot drop, my MS has me wearing an AFO full-time if I want to walk/gimp. Thanks to the two big lesions on my cervical spine, my left side of my body is weak, including little dexterity in my left hand along with a weak left arm and leg. When I ‘walk’ I kind of swing my left leg around. It supports my weight it just doesn’t propel me forward much. Basically my right side of my body drags my left side around  a.k.a. – “Igor shuffle” :D
On my bad days or when it’s very hot out and my mobility is even more compromised, I ride a GOPED electric scooter with the seat attachment.
I transferred all of the controls to the right side or else I wouldn’t be able to operate the brakes with my left hand. :eek:
I pulled up to the drive thru lane at the local BK and after waiting for several minutes and saying Hello to the speaker and getting no response, I decided to pull up to the window. I was told by the individual at the window that they do not serve ‘walk-ups or people on bicycles’ in the drive thru. I told them that I was disabled with MS and that I was not riding a bicycle but that I was riding an electric powered vehicle that I used because I was disabled. The individual repeated the statement, no walk ups or bicycles.
I asked to speak to the manager. Ms Rios, at BK store number 896, repeated the company policy. No walk-ups or bicycles. I told her that I wasn’t on a bicycle and that I was disabled with MS and riding an electrically powered vehicle for mobility. No service was the response. I asked for her card, she wrote down her name and the BK store # on a napkin.
I told them that I thought that they were discriminating against a disabled individual, and that I would be writing an email to BK HQ reporting the incident.
I motor scooted up the street to the local Carl Jr. drive thru, where they happily served me. I did not need to tell them that I was disabled. They apparently don’t mind serving people riding electric powered vehicles let alone individuals that are disabled and riding electric powered vehicles for mobility assistance.
Needless to say that I won’t be patronizing Burger King Restaurants ever again.
:rolleyes:

Mrs
 

That is horrible!!!!!!!!

I am so sorry that happened to you!
I must say that it must of taken restraint not to go ballistic. I dont think I would of been that calm.
I hope you wrote to the headquarters.
You can always contact the local tv station or newspaper...it would be a "human interest" story.

i dont go to burger King anyway. But I want to pass your experience along. If you dont mind.

Take care!!!

this is a disgrace, the tv idea or local papers sounds great, and contact the main headquarters, inform them of what happened and how you were not served

Not to defend the BK, but I do know that the sensors that would pick up that there is a car or some sort of vehicle in the drive thru back at the speakers are usually not strong enough to detect the metal in the vehicle unless it's directly above the sensor. I dont think your scooter would be large enough to trip the sensors.

So, even if you were back there talking to the speaker, they wouldnt have heard you. The sensor is what turns on the 2way communication between the box and the microphones/speakers inside.

I worked for BK for about 2 1/2 yrs when I was in high school. Not the greatest job in the world...and if I remember right, we didnt take walk-ups either.

They should have at least taken your order at the window. Money is money. Doesnt matter what kind of vehicle you're in.

I also worked for a McD's for 8yrs in my 20s. There we'd take walk-ups and people on bicycles orders. Even had a guy on a horse once. Of course, he had to order at the window.

In my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions, you were better off going to Carl's Junior. I think they have better burgers than BK anyway. I wish a Carl's would open in the little town where I live.

I'd absolutely call the local TV station. They can outfit you with a hidden camera and microphone. You'd probably help change the policies of many fast-food establishments if this was exposed on television.

CAlling the local TV station is a GREAT idea! get your mug on Tv!

Be all teary eyed, and give um hell girlfriend! make that woman feel like a jerk for turning you away.

I want to call her the B word. :grouphug:

You want to call her a "burger"???? :eek: :eek: :p

I think "biscuit" is more appropriate!! :o

Write your letter to the following:
Mr. John W. Chidsey, CEO
Burger King Corporation
5505 Blue Lagoon Drive
Miami, FL 33126

CC:
Mr. Ben Wells, CFO
Mr. Chuck Fallon Jr.,Pres of North America Region

Note that you are a stockholder in Burger King Corporation (BKC) when you write your complaint. It WILL get their attention and they WILL take action to correct the problem.

-Vic

Besides the reasons Erin provided, it may be that they are justifiably concerned for the safety of their patrons (and personal liability ;)).

I can see the headlines now:


Wheelchairs are not licensed and/or permitted on the streets either . . . for good reason. It is not because of discrimination, it is because they are no contest for a large 4X4, rig, or even small car. Many don't have running lights, and they certainly could not get out of the way in a hurry.

Dusk and dawn could be treacherous. :eek:

All the restaurants (here) have electric doors for wheelchair customers. I think it would just be safer to go to the inside order counter, like everyone else who is not in a licenced road vehicle.

Cherie

Welcome to NT!

Wow! If BurgerKing did not want to serve you at the window..they should of sent someone out to make sure that you came in and took your order.

She wasn't in a wheelchair.

I believe this link shows what she was on. Bentnub, please correct me if I'm wrong....

http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.c...5_2004_2842652

Oops.

Is it licensed for the road then?

Cherie

The employees at BK probably did not want to lose their jobs. That being said, the manager had the opportunity to fill your order and just let you know that from that point forward, to please come inside.

Then a letter to the corporate offices could clarify if a go-ped is an acceptable vehicle to go through their drive-thru.

All that being said, you should not be eating junk food!:)

You should have had a V-8:D

I'm pretty sure they are. They are advertised as a substitute for using your car to run errands close to home.

OK first of all I’m a guy. This site doesn’t discriminate against people with male genitalia? :rolleyes::D
And yes, I was very mad when they refused to serve me.
The last time that I patronized a BK was 6-7 months ago. I don’t make it a habit of eating at fast food restaurants.
I can't post a picture or link to my 'ride'. (This site won't allow me to insert a link because I'm a new member with less then 10 posts)
I leave mine, fully assembled with the seat attachment mounted. I wouldn’t be able to dismantle and re-assemble due to my MS.
It’s not licensed for the road. I ride mine, either on the side walk or in the bike lanes.
The sitting position and rider height is comparable to some licensed road vehicles like the smaller, internal combustion engine powered motor scooters from Vespa etc.
The incident occurred last evening about 6:50pm and I have not contacted anyone, other then family members and obviously posting it here, on NeuroTalk.
I enjoy my privacy and anonymity and am not one to promote myself by publicly airing ‘my’ problems by seeking out the local media. I would do so, only if I thought that there would be a quantifiable positive effect in helping others.

:o Oops.....sorry! :Sorry:

Aside from sending an email, send an actual written letter thru the snail mail to them. Some companies wont take a complaint seriously if it's emailed, but they might for a snail mail letter. Since someone took the time to get some paper out, write it out and to put a stamp on it to mail it.


Is this the scooter you're riding?

I can see why they thought it was a bicycle if that's the one (or similar)

No. It's the goped ESR750EX with the seat attachment. If you go to their site they have a Youtube video of the one that I have with the seat.
(It's frustrating not to be able to post a link to the video myself) :(

That rule is generally to keep their own employees safer— apparently, pedestrian robbers are more prone to violence than lone drivers or carloads of teens with tattoos. (?):confused::confused:

I have successfully taken my Pride Victory scooter through several drive-thrus and also used them when on my motorcycle (years ago).

I have, however, been turned down at one while on foot (also a burger king) and once on my bicycle.

I agree with whoever said it, that the manager should have attempted to accommodate you and leave you with the understanding that it was a one-time deal.

This is probably more of a liability and insurance issue than anything else. The biggest argument to me is that we are supposedly "going green" in this nation and they ought to be be expecting a lot more of this.

Before any of you ninnies lecture me, I only go to get coffee from them when I'm on the road. Starbucks/Dunkin'/Seattle's Best drive-thrus, not fast food!

Hey as a Store Manager of a McDonald's...well now mine is a Walmart one without a Drive Thru ..but worked a drive thru one for 6 years...

First, true...if you pull up on that the weight wouldnt activate our system...so we wont be able to hear you talk....the weight of vehicle makes the system kick in..then we hear a beep and start talking to you..or hearing you also....

BUT WOW....yes the crew person just went by maybe rules...but the Manager should have offered to take the order...no matter what!! especially when you mentioned the MS..or disability....

if they were truely concerned with liability...they could have taken order than asked you to park near by in a spot..and run out the order....causing no worry about other cars and you.....

even if a policy, they should have jumped on helping out for the reason you had....WOW still surprised...

let corporate BK know...so that corporate is aware, in case the policy isnt what that store told you and can be corrected..or so they can add a policy towards..some that may need to do what you had to...use Drive Thru...

still appalled...:eek: here...hugsss and please write or call a corporate number..not sure if BK has a 800 complaint line or not..McDs does..for good and bad comments....the number can be used..and then corporate gets the info right to owner....if operator owned like our stores....

good luck and sorry they did that, there loss though huh....go Carl Jrs...hehe hugsss,sarah

there were a million other ways to handle you and your needs than what they did. i agree with all the above advice.

make a big tadoo about it. nothing like going to the very top for results.

Thanks for setting the record straight as to Whut you will get at drive-thrus! My chin hit my chest!

Did you know that in Stockholm, Sweden...McDonald's has a drive-thru for snowmobiles? :D
It's true!:mad: I saw it on the Food Network!

Nice little scooter with seat. I have to say, it does look more like a recreational vehicle, than a mobility/disability scooter, though. I'd fall off of it, in a second, flat.:eek: :D

Could be why they didn't take your disability seriously...the idiots.:mad:

Sorry..:hug:

I was a General Manager for 17 years at Jack in the Box and Taco Bell. We only served people in cars/trucks for the safety of the individual. At one time we took walk-ups (in this case you were considered a walk-up) but there were reports of people being hit by cars in the late 80's and early 90's, so most fast-foods stopped serving walk-ups in the drive thru for this reason. It's a safety issue, not discrimmination.

That said: I would have accomodated you and bent over backwords to serve you even if it meant going out to the parking lot to take your order and then deliver it to you (really). Sorry that happened.

What I am struggling with is why a person would feel they should get special treatment, given the legitimate reasons for not accommodating non-licensed vehicle/patron?

This kinda' reminds me of the argument about leaving the "handicapped" washrooms unoccupied, even with a big line-up . . . just in case a disabled person comes in. :confused: :rolleyes:

It also brings to mind all the differences in cultures that I've observed while traveling. When I lived in Australia and New Zealand (going back a few years now), most times when you went in a restaurant for breakfast, and ordered, say, "bacon and eggs", that's exactly what you got. They didn't care how you wanted it cooked, what kind of toast you preferred, or whether pan fries suited your fancy more then shredded hash browns. You ordered bacon and eggs, and you got it the way they wanted to cook it . . . like it or lump it. :D

I brought some of my down-under friends to California and Canada, and they were distressed trying to order a steak; "how do you want it cooked?", "which sides?", "butter, sour cream, bacon bits and chives?", "salad or soup to start?", "type of dressing" . . . I loved watching the look on their faces when they ordered, and in the end they always said "just bring me some dam^ food" (once the waitress was out of ear-shot).

When my kids got old enough to start preferring no onions or pickles on their $1.49 hamburger, I told them "so scrape them off!". I've heard what happens to people's food when they get too demanding at a fast-food restaurant. :eek:

I would understand if there was NO other way to obtain food but to inconvenience the establishment by demanding they hand-deliver (because they don't have a "disabled" drive-through lane) . . . seriously folks, where does this end?

Trust me, in N America we get far better service (disabled or not), then we would anywhere else in the world. People in other countries look at us as though we have two heads because of how demanding N Americans can be . . . and that is one reason they don't like us as tourists too.

Cherie

Because this patron said he was disabled, that was an alarm that he needed accomodation. In the US we have been trained in customer service sectors to accomodate any individule that brings their disability to the attention of the establishment. Thus, going out of our way to serve the person without question.

I've also been known to deliver food to a guest in the dining room when they have a broken arm or leg, because they were elderly and in fact, because they had alot of children with them, or a new baby. There have been many reasons in the past that I went above and beyond not only because of the company I worked for, but because of the compassion I have for any person that 'appears' to need that attention.

It's just the right thing to do and it brings them back. Return customers means increased sales. I feel good and the company makes more money. Its a win/win for all involved.

BK doesn't seem to agree with that philosophy. :rolleyes:

If I were the server, or the manager, I would have taken it out too . . . but my response was directed at the "bigger picture" of their POLICY, and whether "discrimination" is occurring.

Cherie

I agree, GJ. What's happened to basic human compassion for someone else? Everyone is so afraid of being sued that we've become a nation of on-lookers who never make the first effort to help a fellow human being.

I will offer to help someone else (to the best of my ability) if they look like they're struggling. People are a little more hesitant to accept help these days because of all the horror stories you hear about attackers posing as helpful citizens. I don't think I appear threatening...and I couldn't run for my life if I had to...so people tend to accept my help when it's offered. I'm happy I can help someone else. I know I'll need it myself one day and I feel like I'm just paying it forward. I'll reap what I sow.

Good for you for going the extra step and helping those who are overwhelmed or just unable to do for themselves for whatever reason. :)

Well, now that I've seen it and the little video, it does look more like a toy than a PMV. Bent, can you take into the stores the way the guy in the video did? I'd be pretty surprised if I saw one indoors, disabled or not.

My scooter can do all that and go indoors, and I have the added advantage of not tipping over with it. My little one only does 5 MPH on flat surfaces, but it's adequate (and extra fun in a crowded mall).:D

To date, I have not taken my scooter into any store and probably never will.
Your scooter only goes 5mph and can't tip over? Where's the fun in that?:)
Mine does 20mph in TURBO mode. I would NEVER own a scooter that doesn't have TURBO mode. :D:rolleyes:
WATCH OUT, COMING THROUGH!!:eek:

This is my take on the incident as well. I will not pursue this matter as a 'discrimination' infraction and have moved on.

thanks to all who have responded.

I understand :)

My initial reaction was that there is an opportunity for training at this particular site and that this store missed the boat. I have no doubt that if it is reported the General Manager and crew will have some sensitivity training (More likely if its a Corporate Store, and not a Franchise).

See how one store can make it bad for the whole chain? The reaction is to not go to ANY BK...not just the offending BK. When Jack in the Box had the E-Coli scare about 20 years ago in the Northwest, Every JIB was hit with a huge loss in sales. My store was in Phoenix, no tainted meat for miles, and my sales dropped 80% overnight. It took years for the company to recover from this unfortunate event.

I do think that this was all about safety and not discrimmination. The appearance that this was discrimmination, however, is what matters in the end. Unfortunately, the customer will likely only see a coupon for a free meal, but the bad taste is left and they've lost a customer. (FTR: I don't like BK anyway. I never choose them)

we have a very good friend who owns a mcdonalds franchise.

i emailed him about this topic.

he said that the industry is looking into this policy. more so as "street scooters" become more popular. high gas prices.

it is an issue that they don't always trip the sensors, so the order can't be taken.

walk ups are a saftey issue. not just for staff, but the person may not be seen by a car/truck coming from behind. same with scooters.

as a business owner myself, i can say that scooters that also travel on the street have caused us lots of damage to our floors. :o big rocks can get stuck in the treads.

First - Welcome!

Second, sure, guys are welcome too, we just get so many women we tend to just figure... sorry.

:o

And you do not have to defend your appetite for fast food.

;)



I think you did the best thing possible given the situation - you tried to get cooperation from BK. Failing that, you were adult about it and got service at another establishment. Then you told your story to others who might benefit from your experience.


You done good and you should feel good about that.

:cool:

It may have, in BK's opinion, started as a safety issue. But it did turn into a discrimination issue when you alerted them to your need to be served from outside - on a motor vehicle in the drive thru lane, instead of limping unsafely, unsteadily inside.

BK could have easily met your needs and refused.

It was by far less safe to have you sit and wait in that drive thru lane fighting about this than it would have been just to take yout order.