Is this legal? Any attorneys out there? Long rant. Update page 9.

[WalkingWolf]

Sorry but I am having a hard time with taking them to McDonalds to start with. I do not consider their food healthy, but then it is not my choice. I would have contacted a buffet type restaurant and seen if some sort of deal could have been reached. They may have given a good price as a community service, for the group. I know it is not done much anymore and is against some department policy but when a LEO a lot of buffet restaurants would refuse our money. During training expeditions the training coordinator set up the lunch, always with a buffet and always paid by the coordinator(with government funds). Buffet type restaurants have a healthier selection and it is less stain on them than a McDonalds.

 

[preppy*hippie*chick]

When my daughter goes on field trips the local buffet lets them eat for $3.99. We give each kid $5 so the server gets a good tip too. Works out well for everyone. Having been a restaurant manager for 11 years (full service tho) I think that perhaps this guy was just less than articulate. I don't know about fast food - it should be MUCH easier - but if someone were to talk to me about a bus, I would ask them to come slightly off peak. My district and division would do the same. We HAVE done the same. 12:15 isn't exactly a good time. Take 'em to a buffet if you can or maybe go 45 minutes later. Try not to go looking for a fight either. Good luck!

 

[bluie]

mom'sfolly :

Does MickeyDs even have regulars, besides the geezers who sip one cup of coffee for four hours?

 

[mom2chicksandpups]

I wouldn't give them ANY business after he said that. I would call their corporate office and complain. There is an 800 number to complain to McDonald's. I've seen it before somewhere. You could probably call a different McD's to ask for it.

But yes, you do have a right to take them in there if you want to. As long as you guys aren't causing any problems there is nothing wrong with it. If the manager is rude, he should be fired. You have to consider the fact that he might be rude to your students, though.

If he didn't say anything about the students being minorities, it may just be that he didn't want that many kids in the restaurant at one time. I would still complain either way. If he did mention the minority issue, that is an even bigger problem (for him.)

 

[conny63malies]

Maybe you got a BK or other fast food place that is near by. There has to be something close.

 

[bluie]

preppy*hippie*chick :

When my daughter goes on field trips the local buffet lets them eat for $3.99. We give each kid $5 so the server gets a good tip too. Works out well for everyone. Having been a restaurant manager for 11 years (full service tho) I think that perhaps this guy was just less than articulate. I don't know about fast food - it should be MUCH easier - but if someone were to talk to me about a bus, I would ask them to come slightly off peak. My district and division would do the same. We HAVE done the same. 12:15 isn't exactly a good time. Take 'em to a buffet if you can or maybe go 45 minutes later. Try not to go looking for a fight either. Good luck!

He asked me if we could come at 11:15, but this trip was planned weeks ago. The museum is expecting us at 10:30 for a 1 1/2 hour visit. The bus request was made weeks ago and the times must be adhered to. I will look into the buffet idea for the future. Of course I am not going to look for a fight, that's why I am not going to say anything to my students. But I am going to (quietly and discreetly, yet vigorously) defend their right to have lunch where they want to.​

 

[bluie]

Quote:
There are plenty of other restaurants close by. No doubt I will be looking for an alternative in the future. This is just the easiest one to agree upon, but mostly the bus driver will not deviate from what it says on the paperwork that he or she was given by their supervisor. So, for this trip at least, its McDonalds or nothing. And taking 30-40 teenagers back to school at 1:15 in the afternoon with no lunch just seems criminal.

 

[Judy]

Do let us know how it turns out.

 

[preppy*hippie*chick]

From the information given I honestly don't think it's a discrimination thing - more a time thing. Discrimination is a huge deal for any restaurant and with so many people chafing at the bit for a discrimination suit, managers are generally really careful about such matters. They know that even if it's false, any allegation of discrimination can really screw up their careers.

 

[SarahBeth9394]

That's difficult. Since your plan is already set with the district and bus company I think this is what I would do. Take them. I bet someone in your group has a cell phone that records video. I would open up that phone camera and record them. Send it to McDonald's corporate headquarters with a note with what you told us. It is almost something for youtube but I think McDonald's would have a different opinion than that one manager.