Fuddruckers Chain Feeling Heat From Pro-Gun Advocates

[OakRidgeStars]

http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2010/04/29/fud ... advocates/

http://tinyurl.com/2w344mt

Fuddruckers Chain Feeling Heat From Pro-Gun Advocates
By Vanessa O'Connell

The hamburger chain Fuddruckers is unleashing the raw anger of pro-gun advocates, after a move by its Austin, Texas, corporate parent to begin enforcing a no-weapons policy.

Earlier this month, Fuddruckers managers in some locations informed their patrons carrying visible pistols that—unless they were police — they’d have to leave. Gun-toters have been posting their shock and outrage on a number of Web forums, like this one.

Noshing on fries while packing heat has apparently been a popular way for pro-gun advocates in Virginia — and some of the 42 other states where “open-carry” of guns is legal — to get together to demonstrate their right to bear arms.

Dwayne Chambers, senior vice president of marketing and brand development for Fuddruckers parent Magic Brands LLC told the Law Blog that there had always been a no-weapons policy at the company, which operates about 60 Fuddruckers locations in about 10 states, as well as
13 Koo Koo Roo restaurants in California. That just “wasn’t communicated openly,” he said. “We’ve chosen to make sure the policy is communicated in a uniform way.”

We’ve written previously that Starbucks and some other chain stores in the U.S. are finding themselves caught in the middle of the firearms debate as gun-control advocates try to pressure the locations to ban weapons. So far, Starbucks has defended its long-standing policy of complying with the laws in those states designated as open-carry states. Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Best Buy and Barnes & Noble also say they abide by existing laws in open-carry states.

But some chains have banned guns from their restaurants, even in open-carry states, because of the impact it could have on non-gun-carrying customers. Some of these include the California Pizza Kitchen restaurant chain and Peet’s Coffee & Tea.

Pro-gun proponents have responded to Fuddruckers this month with threats of boycotts.

The restaurant already had been hurting: Magic Brands said last week it had agreed to sell substantially all of its assets to Tavistock Group in a $40 million deal that included filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

But some gun-toters who didn’t want to give up Fuddruckers figured out a way to have their fries and their pistols too—they confirmed with the corporate office that its no-weapons policy doesn’t apply to the 135-franchisee owned Fuddruckers around the country. The franchisees are free to set their own policies.


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[kjkimx]

I went to Fuddruckers in Annandale with a couple of friends today while I was OCing thinking that the establishment was gun-friendly (since I remember reading that from the forums a while back).
I had finished my meal about half-way when the manager came up to me and asked me if I was carrying a gun. I told him yes, and he asked me to either leave or put the gun in my car.
He told me that he's been getting complaints from other customers (some apparently left because they saw my gun in the holster) and that children could just come up and grab my gun!
I complied with his request and made myself vulnerable in order to finish the rest of my meal (since I couldn't just leave , but I don't think I'll be going back to Fuddruckers anymore.

[wylde007]

I would refuse to pay for the full meal.

Get up. Leave. Do not come back. Simple.

[kjkimx]

It should have said "since I couldn't just leave with my friends still eating"

Couldn't figure out how to edit posts

edit: Now I see the edit button, but not on my previous reply (guessing it became unavailable over time).

[zephyp]

I went to Fuddruckers in Annandale with a couple of friends today while I was OCing thinking that the establishment was gun-friendly (since I remember reading that from the forums a while back).
I had finished my meal about half-way when the manager came up to me and asked me if I was carrying a gun. I told him yes, and he asked me to either leave or put the gun in my car.
He told me that he's been getting complaints from other customers (some apparently left because they saw my gun in the holster) and that children could just come up and grab my gun!
I complied with his request and made myself vulnerable in order to finish the rest of my meal (since I couldn't just leave , but I don't think I'll be going back to Fuddruckers anymore.

Well they wont be getting my business anymore...I've OCd there many times without a glance from anyone other than nosy customers...and I am with Travis on this one...excuse yourself with a "certainly sir" and promptly leave without paying...anything more is criminal trespass...only problem is in Fudruckers you pay before you get your food...

[KaosDad]

Problem is - with Fudds - you order, pay, then eat. So, you're kinda screwed. I went to an OC event at the Herndon Fudds a couple of months ago, before corporate issued the decree. Not only were there no issues, we had several folks ask us what it was all about and we had great conversations. No one left, no one got huffy AND we got a group discount.

The Fudds in Ashburn is a franchise. Id you are in Ashburn (or Ca$hburn as we call it) the Buffalo Wing Factory locations (2) are very pro-OC.

[Jericho01]

Fudds Annandale will be a test for VCDL members when they go there for fellowship on most third Thursday of the month. The manager and staff have always been friendly and welcoming of VCDL I wonder if it's corporate or franchise. I can find out what their status is tonight since its in my neighborhood. Will keep you posted especially VCDL members.

[tursiops]

All the Fuddruckers in Virginia are corporate sites, except for the franchise sites at Ashburn, DCA, and IAD, and you aren't gonna be carrying at either of those airports!

http://fuddruckers.com/locations.php

[Jericho01]

All the Fuddruckers in Virginia are corporate sites, except for the franchise sites at Ashburn, DCA, and IAD, and you aren't gonna be carrying at either of those airports!

http://fuddruckers.com/locations.php

Are we to assume no OC'ing at VCDL fellowships in Fudd's Annandale from now on? If so, an alternate venue is needed. Too bad Starbucks is not big enough to accommodate large groups; not much food selection either.

[tursiops]

Fuddruckers is in Chapt 11 and is closing a bunch of its corporate locations. Evidently Annandale will remain open, so is subject to the corporate policy.

Seems like they need to post the policy at the door....before you pay for your food and not be able to eat it.

[Jericho01]

Fuddruckers is in Chapt 11 and is closing a bunch of its corporate locations. Evidently Annandale will remain open, so is subject to the corporate policy.

Seems like they need to post the policy at the door....before you pay for your food and not be able to eat it.

CC after July 1st if you still want to go to Annandale. There is a diner on the corner of Columbia Pike and John Marr Drive before Fudd's; it's across from Siverado (choke). Just don't know how late they are open. Looks like they are not part of a restaurant chain. I used to see vintage cars and bikes parked in front on Friday afternoons and eves during warm months. I haven't seen them yet.

[Virginia2AM]

They should have put sign on the front door - warning you BEFORE you get in and leave money. otherwise -- You paid for food, you should stay and eat, OR ask for refund. We should see if franchase stores are smarter than to loose customers.

years ago in Arlington, at Volfgang Puck (?) small eatery, we were enjoying a simple dinner. My husband was OC'ing, half way into our meal three officers come in, who were called by the diner workers b/c other customers got concerned -- for no reason obviously. After police asked three stupid questions demonstrating their ignorance, and husband proving that he was completely within his rights and was NOT at any time a threat to anyone, he was still asked to leave - "to comfort the feelings of other customers". It is also order-pay-then eat, somewhat self-serve (not upscale Volfgang Puck restaurant). Well, he said, sorry, I am going to finish my meal and then we will leave. Police was OK with that, they waited outside until we left and then - I guess - they went in to talk to customers.

Side note, - husband never got up from his chair, never told them his name, never showed them any ID -- said they have no need to know any of this. Back then I was clueless and thought he was nuts to talk like that to police.

[frac]

I would be more afraid that children would get dysentery from their food that running about grabbing random firearms off of people.

[KaosDad]

The Fudd's debacle is so sad. They had the perfect formula for a group dinner - each person orders, each person pays and each person leaves whaterever tip they feel is proper. Their "salad bar" for decorating the birgers ( choose from THREE kinds of meat! ) was amazing!!! Real lettuce! Huge tomatoes! Jalapinos! I cannot imagine the amount of fresh priduce they chucked on a daily basis.

In reading this forum & a few others, they were the sweetheart of the OC movement. Now what? MacDonalds? Wendies (would not complain there)?

For some, ignorance is bliss. For others, it's lost cash.

[gunderwood]

Side note, - husband never got up from his chair, never told them his name, never showed them any ID -- said they have no need to know any of this. Back then I was clueless and thought he was nuts to talk like that to police.

Good for him.