Denny's Restaurant Fredericksburg, VA Denny's Restaurant in Fredericksburg, VA Refused Service FREDERICKSBURG VIRGINIA

On 5/10/2021, I dined-in at the Denny’s location on 5325 Jefferson Davis Hwy. Fredericksburg, VA, 22408.  My bill was paid, and I continued to study.  Waiter Gary Wentz told me that his manager told him to tell me that I needed to leave, because the restaurant closed to dine-in traffic from midnight to 5 AM.  When I arrived at the restaurant around 10 PM, the dine-in hours were not posted.  I asked Waiter Gary Wentz to be shown the dine-in hours. 

The Mr. Wentz brought his Store Manager, Anna Gomez, to explain the policy.  Denny’s Store Manager Anna Gomez told me that the store was closed to dine-in traffic from midnight to 5 AM.  She said it was corporate policy.  I asked to see the corporate policy.  She refused, and called the police. She stated I refused to leave. I called too.  Both Deputy Muncie and Deputy Chris of the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Department arrived.  The Ms. Gomez stated I refused to leave.  I explained to the deputies that I paid my bill, and I was studying quietly in the corner.  I complied and left after the police. 

After leaving I called the restaurant back.  I asked Waiter Gary Wentz for suggestions to make the process better for other patrons.  He mentioned posting the dine-in hours and providing the policy in writing to patrons.

I strongly feel that customer’s ought to be informed of the dine-in hours. No customer should be made to feel as though they were a criminal.  Mr. Wentz suggested posting the dine-in hours and having the local policy available.  Denny’s states on their website, “Hours may vary due to mandated curfews.” (Ref. https://locations.dennys.com/VA/RICHMOND/247901).

As a business, the owner should have posted the CDC guidelines on the outside of all his stores, informed his employees of their proper application, provided the rules to customers, and worked with the customers for proper application.

I spoke with the franchise owner.  He later apologized and said that was not the way to treat customers. He said the way the rules should have been applied was to allow customers to stay if they already ordered before 10PM.  Anna Gomez never asked for guidance nor did she apologize for the later treatment.