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Waffle House service focus of lawsuit

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By Dave Greber, Staff Writer Updated 10:18 PM Sunday, June 14, 2009

WEST CHESTER TWP. — Four friends in search of a late-night bite at a local Waffle House instead were served a heaping helping of bigotry, a federal lawsuit claims.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati last week alleges the four friends — Kelli Scott, Travis Logan and his sister Whitney, and Treyken Addison — were denied service on Oct. 12, 2008, at the Waffle House, 7312 Kingsgate Way, because they are black.

The four — two of whom are from Michigan — were in town celebrating Travis Logan’s birthday, the lawsuit states.

Cincinnati attorney Jennifer Branch, who is representing the customers, said the four walked into the restaurant at approximately 2:30 a.m. and were told the wait would be 30 to 40 minutes. Deciding to wait, they sat themselves at the counter.

Shortly after, the lawsuit states, a group of four white customers entered the restaurant, sat in an empty booth and had their orders taken.

Ten minutes later, a waitress came to the table of Scott and her friends, and attempted to take their orders.

After comments were exchanged between the four customers and the waitress, the waitress reportedly told them to leave and called for police.

The waitress “said they would not be served and yelled, ‘GET OUT!’” according to the lawsuit. “The four asked why they were being denied service and (she) responded she did not like their attitude and she had something better to do than serve them, like take out the trash or do dishes.”

No charges were filed on either party.

The lawsuit — which is seeking unspecified damages — names Waffle House Inc., the waitress and the franchise’s owner George Shearer, of the Lebanon-based Shearer Foods.

Shearer Foods issued a statement denying the allegations and said the company will answer the charges.

“Shearer Foods will not tolerate any form of illegal discrimination in its restaurant,” according to the statement.

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