Perkins Restaurants - anti-gun corporate policy

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mrokern

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Mods, please move if necessary with my apologies.

Many of us have these restaurants in our states.

We've run into a situation here in Minnesota with permit holders being asked to leave Perkins Restaurants. When contacted to clarify, a regional manager explained that it was corporate policy to not allow ANY carry in their restaurants, whether open or concealed.

You may contact the company at:

http://www.prkmcresearch.com/prkcomments/

Please explain, POLITELY, why you will be frequenting their competitors. :)

-Mark
 
Not that I go often, but here in MN I have yet to see a properly posted Perkins, so they must not take the policy very seriously.

I'm sure I've carried concealed in a Perkins or two here, probably will again if I absolutely have to go again. Thanks for the heads-up, though.
 
I posted this on another thread in this forum but I think it would also fit here...

...I know where I will not eat because of their views on firearms and it has nothing to do with whether or not you can carry in their establishment.

There is a chain of "upscale" bakery/cafes called Panera Bread. Normally I would go in there and get a cup of coffee and a bagel or pastry and leave. On one particular day, I had time to sit down inside while waiting on a friend. So I got out my iPod Touch that has wi-fi built in. I was able to read my email, check the local weather and so on, but when I went to check into a firearm forum, it said I was blocked by their firewall!

I wrote a tersely worded email to their corporate office and asked what gives? Their response: "As part of offering free wi-fi in our bakery-cafes nationwide, it is important that we maintain the community tone and standards that Panera Bread is known for."

They have definitely lost one customer because of this policy and if any of my fellow THR members have a Panera Bread in their neighborhood, you will put them on your "Do Not Patronize" list!

Scott
 
I was gonna send that, buy didn't want to give those morons my info so someone else is free to use
Click to expand...

So you take your right very seriously, and yet you're unable to stand up for it? What do you think they're going to do? Inform the Feds and have black helicopters come get you?

Before writing them off completely, why not see if you can get a response.

As for the Panera Bread....

This came up last year. You might be able to find it if you do a search. IMO, nothing to get your panties in a twist, especially given the generic response you got. Having a filter which blocks certain things is a far cry from being anti-gun. Obviously its your choice. So you can either not patronize them again, or maybe try and get a real response.

And here is the thread in question: Panera Bread
 
Regarding MN law and CCW

Here in MN we don't have CCW permits, we have the Personal Protection Act, and the permit allows you to carry concealed or open.

Also in MN, places can post a 'no guns' sign, and when they ask you to leave, you MUST leave or face tresspass plus a few other charges. It is my understanding that while it is discouraged, it is not illegal to enter a 'posted' establishment....it is just illegal to stay when asked to leave.

It seems to me the best way to deal with this is to go to Perkins while you are CCWing, eat your meal, go to the restroom and switch to open carry, go back and sit at the table, read the paper, chat with friends, take advantage of their free coffee and pop refills.

Digest.

Talk.

Have some pie.

At BEST this will get people used to seeing firarms openly carried, and it won't be so shocking.

At MEDIUM you will be asked to leave. If that happens, you get up and leave. If you are being thrown out without completing your dining experience, you don't pay. (However, I'd come prepared with a quick note jotted to the waitress saying she did fine service and you don't blame her for the sillyness of management, and then leave a nice tip)

I suppose the WORST CASE is that the manager would panic, call the cops, and they would come in, be ignorant of the law, and you'd have a lawsuit on your hands.
 
p.s. Regarding Panera Bread's filter.

Most filtering software is set by default to PG or PG-13 type settings, which eliminates sex and violence. Of course, the software designers automatically assume Gun = Violence!

Most likely Panera Bread didn't give any thought to specifically preventing the access of websites dealing with the technical aspects of firearms, nor the legal aspects of firearms, nor the sporting aspects of firearms...nor any aspects of firearms at all.

Your beef should be with the people who develope filtering software. Initially, they blocked a ton of medical related websites (like ones devoted to breastcancer) due to thinking they were porn. There was a quick and loud outcry and things changed.

We need to do the same thing with firearms, demand filtering software target REAL depictions of violence...not just assume firearms = violence.

Look, if Panera Bread wants to have a family atmosphere, and doesn't want a little kid glacing over the shoulder of a guy at the next table and seeing porn, or seeing Rambo mow down the VC with an M-60, that is definately acceptable in my book.

However, thinking that a guy reading about what the proper twist to stablize a 40 grain varmint bullet for his 223 is somehow going to negatively affect the family atmosphere, that is just B.S. and it only happens due to the filtering software
 
I've been to a Perkins and never saw a sign posting it as a no gun place. I carried in there no questions asked. How do they know you are carrying if you are doing your part of concealing your firearm is what I ask?
 
scottaschultz said:
[Panera's firewall blocks a gun board]...if any of my fellow THR members have a Panera Bread in their neighborhood, you will put them on your "Do Not Patronize" list!
Click to expand...

Oh we will?
 
I CC wherever the hell I want to, provided it's legal in that location.

I wouldn't ask if it's okay with a restaurant. If they want to have a policy that differs from the way things are, generally, they can post it themselves, first, without me asking (in which case I'd leave).

If they have a policy of asking people carrying legally to leave, I'd be more than happy to keep the gun well-concealed until AFTER I've eaten, but before I've paid. That's what I'd recommend doing: put the ball in THEIR court. Let them ask you to leave when it would mean they give you a free meal. Boycotts are silly.
 
sign..........what sign?, heck if I see a biz that says no guns...I normaly toss another one on me......worst they can do is ask you to leave, if you dont you will get a tresspass. I aint gonna sit someplace that is easy pickins....but then I always sit in certain places so I can see whats going on...

only places I dont are fed, state, PO ect.....just like it says in the regs. If a biz wants to post a sign........good for them, me I dont care, its called CONCELLED.
 
I keep a stack of letters in my truck to hand out....

Dear Business Owner/Manager,

My wife and I attempted to visit your business today but were turned away by your "No Concealed Weapons" sign. I respect your rights as a property owner/lease holder and will not visit again. I just wanted to let you know a little bit about who you've decided not to do business with. Every legally licensed Concealed Handgun Permit holder that you turn away...

- Has passed a Federal and State Criminal Background Check.
- Is not a Felon.
- Has never been convicted of misdemeanor violent crime or domestic abuse.
- Has attended and passed an 8 hour course mandated by the state covering the responsibilities and legalities of concealed carry.
- Has passed a proficiency test in the use of their firearm.

Can you say the same for your other patrons? Do you know who is a convicted child molester, rapist, or thief? If your patron is a Concealed Handgun Permitee, you can be assured h/she is not.

Of course it would be wonderful if an armed robber saw your "No Concealed Weapons" sign and decided to move on to the next victim, but do you really expect criminals to be deterred by a sign? Your sign only serves to turn away those who care about law, order and civil rights (your right to choose whom to do business with and my right to self-defense).

Best Regards,

Me
My City, St
My email address
Click to expand...
 
Haven't been to a Perkins in a long time. Probably won't again unless it is the only place available to conveniently get a bite to eat. Panera Bread is not on my regular visit list. The only reason I would go there is if my wife twists my arm or I need a free Wifi connection for a laptop. But I have that need taken care of too.
 
actaully thats not correct

felons can own guns, if their rights are restored.....as I am living proof of.

no course required in WA

- Has passed a Federal and State Criminal Background Check.
- Is not a Felon.
- Has never been convicted of misdemeanor violent crime or domestic abuse.
- Has attended and passed an 8 hour course mandated by the state covering the responsibilities and legalities of concealed carry.
- Has passed a proficiency test in the use of their firearm
 
Let me provide background.

MN is indeed a "carry" state. Open or concealed. Your choice.

In this instance, the permit holder was carrying openly.

He was asked to leave. He then covered up. The manager then informed him that concealed or not, no guns were allowed in the restaurant. That was later confirmed by the regional manager.

There are no signs, FYI. It doesn't matter. Without getting into MN law...it doesn't matter.

Why does it matter if I'm concealing anyways? Because I choose not to spend my money with businesses that do not respect my 2nd Amendment rights. That's why it matters.

-Mark
 
A possible reason for their policy may stem from a shooting in their Cocoa Beach,FL location about 20 years ago. Really ugly affair where a PO'd BF or husband shot a waitress down in front of everyone.

Don't neccassarily excuse the ban on CCWs - but at least it might prove some understanding as to why
 
Panera Bread

here is a chain of "upscale" bakery/cafes called Panera Bread. Normally I would go in there and get a cup of coffee and a bagel or pastry and leave. On one particular day, I had time to sit down inside while waiting on a friend. So I got out my iPod Touch that has wi-fi built in. I was able to read my email, check the local weather and so on, but when I went to check into a firearm forum, it said I was blocked by their firewall!
Click to expand...

There is much more to the Panera Bread story than you seem to be telling for some reason.

Covered in pretty good detail last year. The letter you quote from Panera Bread is incomplete. Moderator hso wrote them and received a reply.

The blocking of THR is in the default settings of the firewall they buy. If you request access they say they will amend that policy.

Can't really boycott someone who says they will do what you ask.....



http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=374123&highlight=panera+bread

Reply from Panera to hso:

Thank you for contacting Panera Bread. Although we do not encourage anyone to bring a weapon to our bakery-cafés, if you are a duly licensed weapons owner in a state that allows concealed carry, we abide by the law of the state without restrictions. Our bakery-cafés are in compliance with any state laws dealing with this matter. However, the use and/or the brandishing of a gun in Panera, LLC's bakery-cafés is not acceptable.

As part of offering Free WiFi in our bakery-cafés nationwide, it is important that we maintain the community tone and standards that Panera Bread is known for. Panera Bread has partnered with two software companies that maintain lists of categories and sites they recommend for filtering. With millions of sites on the Web, sites sometimes can be blocked IN ERROR. At the request of WiFi users like yourself, these software companies will review and reassess them on an as-needed basis.

If you feel a site has been blocked in error, you may submit a URL rating review request at the WiFi Help Desk for the bakery-café you are visiting. Since there are two WiFi Service providers for our bakery-cafés, we would need to know which café or cafés you visit so that we may provide you with the correct Help Desk telephone number(s).

Please let us know if you have further questions or concerns. Again, we thank you for visiting Panera Bread and using the Free WiFi service that we are proud to provide.

Sincerely,
Paul
Customer Comment Coordinator
Click to expand...

That doesn't really sound like a company with an agenda, it sounds like a company with better things to do than spend all their time vetting websites.

Try asking for them to open it up and see what happens.

Boycotts can have an impact, no doubt, but we have to be really sure it is warranted before threatening such things.

ETA: Didn't notice COMPNOR had posted the link to the old thread already, my bad.
 
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