Now KFC Has Banned Lone Kids After Gangs Raise Fears For Staff Safety
KFC has been forced to issue its first-ever ban on unaccompanied under-18s – because of fears over staff safety following a spate of fights involving teenage gangs.
The fast food chain announced the restriction just days after a McDonald’s restaurant on the same retail park adopted the same policy.
The KFC on Meir Park, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire said children must now be accompanied by an adult to eat in.
Under-18s are still allowed to order takeaway.
Last week, McDonald’s confirmed an identical ban after police were called when 24 youngsters were caught fighting on the nearby A50.
The restaurant called the move “a last resort”.
Now, KFC manager Liam Dalgarno said: “The way some of these youngsters act can be scary for staff.”
Under-18s are only allowed on the premises to order takeaway (Harsha K R/WikiCommons)
“People shouldn’t have to experience that,” he said.
“Under-18s are not strictly banned from the premises, they can come in to order their meal but then they have to take it out.
“A minority had been causing trouble. Really they only came in for the wi-fi but we have reduced the distance of it so now it only reaches the doors.
“We had problems on a daily basis and we work closely with our PCSOs and police officers.
“We have gradually started noticing a difference since this policy was introduced and these measures help the staff to feel safer at work.”
KFC has almost 900 restaurants in the UK, but this is believed to be its first ban on under-18s.
(Credit: Stacey Harris)
