Virginia McDonald’s bans customers under the age of 21 from entering its restaurant
The latest policy at a McDonald’s in Virginia is causing quite a stir as IDs are now required to purchase a Big Mac. The franchise in Franconia, Va., has taken the drastic step of banning customers under the age of 21 from entering its premises due to a recent increase in violence attributed to local high school students.
The decision to implement the age restriction was made in order to protect both the employees and well-behaving guests from the unruly teenagers from nearby Thomas Edison High School. This move comes after a series of violent incidents, including a brawl caught on video inside the restaurant.
The restaurant now requires customers above 21 years old to ring a doorbell and be let inside by an employee if they wish to dine in. The store management collaborated with Fairfax County Public Schools and local law enforcement to come up with the policy as a way to address the unrest caused by the high school students.
In a statement, the store expressed their commitment to the Edison community and the value they place on each and every customer. The enhanced security measures are aimed at promoting a safe environment for everyone involved. The age restriction policy is currently in effect only on weekdays, with no specified timeline for when it will be lifted.
Customers and employees have voiced their concerns about the disruptive behavior exhibited by the teens. One customer referred to the teenagers as lacking respect and discipline, which was driving away other customers. The sentiment was echoed by many who supported the age-restricting policy as a necessary step to maintain order and civility within the establishment.
Despite the new policy, parents with children are still welcome to dine inside, with an adult chaperone allowed to bring up to four children. This move by the Virginia McDonald’s follows a similar age restriction policy implemented by a McDonald’s in Brooklyn, New York, where customers over 20 years old are the only ones allowed inside the store.
The Brooklyn-based McDonald’s made the decision after a group of masked teenagers attacked a security guard, causing damage to the store. The store manager reported instances of disruptive behavior by a group of teens, including throwing ice at customers, stealing food from delivery drivers, and even smoking inside the restaurant.
Overall, these new policies reflect the efforts of McDonald’s franchises to address and mitigate disruptive behavior by implementing age restrictions to ensure a safer and more pleasant dining experience for all customers.
