A McDonald's in Queens, New York is at war with a group of elderly patrons who spent an entire day sitting at booths and driving away business.
According to the New York Times, staff at the Flushing franchisee have become increasingly frustrated with the group of senior citizens, mostly Korean locals from the neighborhood, who spend hours gossiping at the window seat tables, but barely purchase items from the restaurant's menu.
Some stated they do not like the food. Using their walkers, canes or wheelchairs patrons arrive as early as 5 a.m. and stay until after dark. They reportedly split an order of small French fries to count as paying customers.
Management said they were forced to call the police, to get the group moved. Some customers have reportedly asked for a refund, stating to management that there were no seats to sit and eat.
Man Hyung Lee, 77, told the Times that he was drinking a coffee in his usual seat, when he was approached by two police officers and was told that he and his group of friends have overstayed their welcome.
"They ordered us out," Lee said. "So I left. Then I walked around the block and came right back again."
The franchise holds a sign that states customers have 20 minutes to finish their food and Lee had already been there for two hours, the Times reported. Sun Kim, 64, who enjoys her coffee and reading newspapers, said she understands their presence is bad for business, but admitted she and her six friends need a place to go.
"It is open so early and stays open until after dark when it's late," Kim said. "It's warm and the old people like to have a place to meet and talk together."
Police told the Times that they've received four 911 calls since November. Police stated that normally customers obey an officer's request without any problem, but the elderly patrons just return after leaving.
"Large group, males, females, refusing to get up and leave," read the police summary of one 911 call, stated, according to the Times. "The group passed a lot of sit-down time. Refusing to let other customers sit."
The Burger King and McDonald's, that are within a few blocks of the Flushing franchisee reportedly do not suffer from the same allure.
"I'm sure you can imagine any business would find this situation to be difficult when customers prevent other customers from enjoying the restaurant," Jack Bert, who owns the Flushing McDonald's franchise, said in a statement. "We continue to work to resolve this situation and create an environment so customers who wish to enjoy this restaurant have the ability to do so."
