Cracker Barrel denies service to special needs students in Maryland
- A group of special needs students from a Maryland school was denied service at Cracker Barrel.
- The restaurant cited unexpected staffing issues as the reason for the denial.
- The incident resulted in community outrage and discussions about the restaurant's future relationship with the school.
In Waldorf, Maryland, on December 3, a group of 11 special needs students and seven staff from Charles County Public Schools visited Cracker Barrel as part of a community-based instruction program aimed at fostering real-world skills. Upon arrival, even though staff had previously communicated that no reservation was necessary, the restaurant denied them sit-down service due to unexpected staffing issues that limited seating capacity. Instead, the students were only offered the option of takeout. This denial prompted outrage from parents and community members, leading to discussions about removing Cracker Barrel from the approved list for school outings. Charles County Public Schools Superintendent Maria Navarro expressed serious concerns about the treatment the group faced and called for a review of the restaurant's practices regarding accommodations for students with disabilities. In the aftermath, other local businesses reached out to support the students, signaling a communal response to the situation. Cracker Barrel later issued an apology, stating that their inability to serve the party was unrelated to the students’ capabilities and emphasized a commitment to improving their service protocols in the future. Nevertheless, the event raised critical awareness about accessibility issues and sparked a call for accountability from the restaurant chain, stirring local debates about inclusion and the treatment of special needs individuals in public spaces.