Warner Robins Church’s Chicken settles ADA service animal allegation involving a veteran

WARNER ROBINS — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia announced on Friday a resolution for an allegation that says a disabled veteran was turned away from Church’s Chicken, located at 1801 Watson Boulevard. 

The resolution was between Askar Management Group, QSR Group Holdings, LLC, and QSR Southern Group, LLC. QSR is the owner and operator of Church’s Chicken. 

According to a press release, the investigation began after the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia received a complaint from a disabled veteran with a service animal. The complaint alleged that an employee at the location refused to serve the veteran unless his service animal was removed from the restaurant dining room, a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

“Ensuring access for individuals with disabilities, including permitting service dogs, is required by the ADA. Our office is dedicated to protecting these rights and ensuring proper accommodation for all,” said U.S. Attorney Will Keyes. “We appreciate the cooperation by the owners of this Church’s Chicken franchise in Warner Robins in resolving this matter and demonstrating their commitment to customer accessibility.”

Under the Letter of Resolution, QSR has agreed to: 

• Adopt, maintain, implement, and enforce a service animal policy.
• Not discriminate against or provide unequal treatment to persons with disabilities who use service animals.
• Provide training on the service animal policy to employees and managers.
• Post the policy in public areas.
• Pay a $2,000 civil penalty to the United States.

The press release says QSR cooperated with the government throughout the investigation. 

Under federal law,  private entities that own or operate restaurants and bars are required to modify policies such as a no pet policy, to permit the use of a service animal. 

A service animal generally may go wherever the public is allowed, and a public accommodation may not require documentation. 

The matter was handled by Civil Chief W. Taylor McNeil and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Simon, in coordination with the Disability Rights Section of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. 

Civil Rights Investigative Specialist Danyelle D. White led the investigation for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia. 

ADA complaints may be made by contacting the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia at (478) 752-3511. 

More information about the ADA is available at the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA Information line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383. It is also encouraged to visit the ADA website.