Multiple staffers at a Chicago-area Buffalo Wild Wings were fired this weekend after they asked a group of black patrons to switch tables to accommodate a fellow customer who didn’t want to be near them.
The Vahl family and a group of several other people celebrating a birthday went to the Naperville, Illinois, restaurant on Oct. 26. The host, who was also black, asked one member of the group what race they were because a regular customer “doesn’t want black people sitting near him.”
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The party did not listen to the host and sat down at the table that was originally meant for them. Eventually, a manager told them that “these seats are reserved” and that the staff “will have to move your group.”
When the family complained to a waitress, the server acknowledged that the customer was racist but admitted to not being able to do anything in the situation. So, the Vahls and their party left the restaurant. The host had tears in his eyes, Marcus Riley, a member of the group told WBBM.
“We take this alleged incident very seriously and are conducting a thorough, internal investigation,” Buffalo Wild Wings said in a statement about the incident. “Buffalo Wild Wings values an inclusive environment and has zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind. We’re in direct communication with the guest to understand their account of what happened and to offer our deepest apologies for any unacceptable behavior.”
Several employees were fired over the event, but it’s not clear who was let go, who had quit, and what role those figures played in the incident, the Washington Post reported.
