A McDeal has been reached between a McDonald's Queens franchise and a group of elderly patrons.
According to the New York Daily News, elderly residents who hung out at the fast food restaurant for hours have agreed to a truce with management over the seating limit in the fast food restaurant.
With help from local officials management has agreed to ease the 20-minute seating limit during off-peak hours, in return the seniors agreed to give up seats, to people searching for a spot to sit and eat, during the franchise's busiest hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The new deal comes just after some Korean-American leaders threatening a boycott of the restaurant for their treatment toward to the elderly patrons.
The New York Daily News, the Flushing franchise will post signs stating the policy in Korean and Mandarin. Also a local senior center will be providing transportation at the McDonald's to give patrons another place to hang out.
"We had to dig deeper to comprehend the pride of a small business owner as well as the pride of our seniors to seek a place to socialize," said Assemblyman Ron Kim, who helped broker the deal.
Kim along with U.S. Rep. Grace Meng and State Sen. Toby Stavisky help arrange an agreement between the eatery's management team and the group of elderly patrons. The group of mostly Korean seniors butted heads with McDonald's management and workers after exceeding their sitting limit of 20 minutes. The patrons would spend hours gossiping at the window seat tables, but barely purchase items from the restaurant's menu.
Management said they were forced to call the police, to get the group moved, because they reportedly driving away business. Some customers have reportedly asked for a refund, stating to management that there were no seats to sit and eat.
According to the New York Times, police 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.
In addition to the new deal, the Flushing restaurant is reportedly looking to hire workers who speak Mandarin and Korean. The franchise owner told the Daily News that he is proud to serve his community.
"I've been proud to serve this community for nearly 20 years and my restaurant has been happy to welcome these customers for years," Jack Bert, who owns the franchise. Adding that the new deal creates an environment "where all customers who wish to enjoy this restaurant have the ability to do so."
