Buffalo Wild Wings investigates claim Kansas bosses said it was OK to not serve blacks
Buffalo Wild Wings is investigating allegations that managers at an Overland Park location allowed servers to deny service to African Americans.
A Buffalo Wild Wings spokesperson said Wednesday the investigation would be conducted. The statement came a day after the Star reported that a former employee of the 105th and Metcalf location is suing the company after he says he was fired in retaliation for reporting discrimination and an unsafe work environment.
“Buffalo Wild Wings values an inclusive environment and we have no tolerance for discrimination of any kind,” the spokesperson said in a statement to The Star.
Former employee Gary Lovelace filed the lawsuit Monday in U.S. District Court in Kansas, alleging retaliation, a racially hostile work environment and discrimination based on his race, age and disability.
“We intend to litigate this matter in court and Buffalo Wild Wings will have the opportunity to defend these allegations,” Lovelace’s lawyer, Gerald Gray, said in a statement Wednesday.
“Our goal is not only to obtain justice for Mr. Lovelace but to ensure things like those alleged in the lawsuit don’t continue in today’s America.”
The attorney encouraged others who have faced discriminatory or retaliatory treatment to reach out.
“Based on the public response since this story broke, we are confident in our case and if anyone believes they have information related to the allegations in the lawsuit, please contact Mr. Lovelace’s attorney,” Gray said.
The Buffalo Wild Wings claims are the latest in a string of cases of alleged discrimination against African Americans in restaurants across the country.
Six Kansas City-area Applebee’s locations closed last year after a video went viral of a racial profiling incident where employees at the Independence location accused two black women of leaving without paying their bill the night before.
Last spring Starbucks employees nationwide were required to undergo racial bias training after two black men were arrested at a Philadelphia Starbucks when they asked to use the restroom and did not order anything. The men were waiting on a friend.
One month after the Starbucks incident, a Maine IHOP came under fire for asking a group of black teenagers to prepay for their meals.
In 2004 and 1994 respectively, Cracker Barrel and Denny’s settled lawsuits alleging discrimination of black workers and customers which included refusing service.
Inspire Brands, a parent company to Buffalo Wild Wings, is also listed as a defendant in the lawsuit. The company also owns Arby’s and Sonic.
This story was originally published May 22, 2019 at 1:03 PM.
