Parents Protest at Cracker Barrel After Students with Special Needs Were Refused Service: ‘Our Kids Matter’

Mar. 15, 2025

Stock image of a Cracker Barrel.Photo:Paul Weaver/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty

Paul Weaver/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty

A group of protesters numbering in the dozens staged a demonstration outside of a Cracker Barrel in Waldorf, Md.,after the restaurant was accused of refusing service to special needs studentsin early December.

“We’re protesting, not only for the 11 children that Cracker Barrel discriminated against, but for all kids or humans that are disabled or have special needs," Dustin Reed, a protester and parent whose 7-year-old daughter, Madelynn, was one of the students who were allegedly discriminated against, told CBS affiliateWUSAat the Sunday, Dec. 15 event.

The incident allegedly took place on Tuesday, Dec. 3, when 11 students and seven staff members visited the Cracker Barrel in Waldorf, read aDec. 5 statementfrom Superintendent of Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Maria V. Navarro. The visit, according to the superintendent, was part of a community-based instruction (CBI) that allows students to practice generalizing skills.

“Upon arrival,” she continued, “the students and staff were declined service and asked to no longer include the restaurant on its CBI list. The group was able to place a carry-out order.”

Navarro added that she spoke with the restaurant’s district manager about what allegedly happened and why the students and staff were denied service.

“Our students and staff are our No. 1 priority, and we are disheartened to learn about the alleged treatment they received while participating in an activity designed to educate our students using real-world applications,” Navarro wrote. “The alleged treatment of CCPS students and staff at Cracker Barrel is one that no one should experience. However, it is encouraging to learn that the district manager said the business would be willing to work with CCPS to do better.”

“Senior Cracker Barrel executives met…with leadership and teachers from the school as well as the parent community to hear their concerns directly,” the company said. “We also shared the actions we have taken and are taking to address recent missteps at that store location. These actions include completing an internal investigation with guest and employee interviews, separating three members of the store’s team, including the General Manager, moving forward with specialized training for all employees at this particular store, and bolstering the already robust training we provide to managers nationwide."

“We apologize for not meeting our standards and failing to provide these students and teachers with the hospitality for which Cracker Barrel is known,” the company further added. “We would be honored to host this student program if they will give us another chance, and we remain open to having an ongoing dialogue with the teachers and families about how we can best serve the community going forward.

At the Dec. 15 protest outside of the Waldorf location, demonstrators held up signs that read, “Treat us equally,” “Inclusion is a right not a privilege” and “God loves and accepts everyone! Why can’t Cracker Barrel?”USA Todayreported. The protesters were also heard chanting, “Treat us equally” and “Our kids matter.”

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“It sends a message that we will not tolerate discrimination in Charles County,” Dyotha Sweat, Charles County NAACP president, told WUSA about the demonstration. “If we have to continue to do this, we will. This is not a one and done.”

“Not everyone knows what kids who have disabilities like this go through,” Blumhardt said,USA Todayreported. “Obviously, the staff at Cracker Barrel didn’t know.”

Reed told NBC affiliateWRCthat Cracker Barrel did not apologize for allegedly discriminating against his child and the other students during the Dec. 3 visit. “In the meeting that they had last Monday [Dec. 9] with us parents, they denied discrimination, told us that we’re all going to have to agree to disagree and they’re sorry that we feel this way,” he said.

source: people.com