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Residents of Kettering, Ohio are in the midst of a dispute over a “teen chaperone policy” enacted by the local Chick-fil-A restaurant. The policy requires anyone 17-years-old or younger wishing to eat in the establishment be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or adult chaperone that is at least 21-years-old.
“With school starting, we wanted to make sure that everyone is aware of our Teen Chaperone Policy,” the restaurant wrote in a post on Facebook last week. “We are grateful for your support and want to make sure Chick-fil-A Kettering is a safe and enjoyable place for everyone! Thank you so much!”
The Kettering Chick-fil-A teen chaperone policy also states that “unaccompanied minors may be asked to leave” in order to “ensure a safe and respectful environment for all guests.” Not everyone in and around Kettering agrees with it, however.
Teen chaperone policy sparks controversy
“Pretty sad that the good kids are getting punished… how about instead of a chaperone policy, they say that they have the right to remove anybody from their property that is being disruptive,” one local resident responded on Facebook, echoing the comments of many others.
“I guess I won’t be eating Chick-fil-A anymore at least not the Kettering location,” another resident commented. “I’m in my 50s but I disagree with their policy, there’s better ways. I’ve managed restaurants convenience stores and retail places and this is not the answer. You’re going to lose so much money and so much business especially being close to the high school and junior high and what not and on game nights you’re screwed your business that you’re used to getting on a game night is pretty much over.”
On the flip side, another resident wrote, “Nobody there makes enough to constantly ‘remove disruptive’ teenagers who lack accountability and fear of consequence. A lot of places are moving into this direction because your kids are unruly and disrespectful. The teachers keep telling you. The coaches keep telling you. The librarians keep telling you. Law enforcement keeps telling you. Yet everyone thinks their own teenagers are so well behaved but have zero clue how they really act when they get into large groups with their friends and start acting up to entertain each other for social media clout at everyone else’s expense.”
“Everyone acts like this is the only company doing this when it’s not,” another resident who agreed with the policy wrote. “A lot of companies and other businesses have went to chaperone policies do to kids not being respectful and destroying property. Dayton Mall and Fairfield Commons Mall both have chaperoning policies in effect town and Country shopping center has a chaperone policy that’s been in effect since 2021. Yes it’s unfortunate, but unfortunately, yes, one bad group can ruin things for so many.”
When asked about the policy, a Chick-fil-A spokesperson told Fox Business that “Chick-fil-A restaurants are locally owned and operated. This restaurant has set a policy specific to its location, which mirrors that of the shopping center the restaurant is located in.”