Cheddar’s, a Dallas-based restaurant chain, has apologized to a local family for an incident that occurred at the Waco Cheddar’s on Mother's Day involving their wheelchair-bound, 4-year-old son.

The family, which has declined to be identified, said the wait staff seated several parties that arrived after them. Family members also say the general manager “showed aggression” when the family complained.

Waco attorney Jim Dunnam now represents the family and has written a letter to Cheddar’s.

He said Sunday night he has not yet received a response to his letter, which says, in part, that the basic civil rights of the youngster “were grossly violated by your company.” It concludes that he would like to meet with Cheddar’s to discuss the matter.

Statement released

Kelly C. Baltes, chairman and CEO of the Cheddar’s chain, released this statement: “We have worked very quickly to understand the events at our Waco restaurant that day. After a complete review, we now feel we understand the specifics of what happened.

“We want to apologize directly to the family involved and for any and all actions at the restaurant that were not consistent with our values, policies and practices.

“Our apology is sincere and comes from our heart,” the statement said.

Baltes’ statement continued: “Based on our understanding of the events, we have taken absolute action to ensure that moving forward every guest is always treated with care and respect. We have reached out to the family directly to apologize, resolve and to work on rebuilding the trust they had with us for the future.”

David Reckner, director of operations for Cheddar’s, told the Tribune-Herald on Friday that he had been in Waco since Tuesday of last week investigating the matter. He said the company and restaurant had received many phone calls and e-mails from people complaining about the incident.

He said Cheddar’s could not comment on whether any employee had been disciplined concerning the matter.

Reckner said Cheddar’s adheres to a “first-come-first-served” policy and strives to treat each guest with dignity.

Mother ‘confronted’

But Dunnam, in his letter, said the mother of the 4-year-old was “confronted” by a man representing himself as the general manager when she asked about her family’s seating.

“Incredibly, the general manager stated that the Cheddar’s policy was that parties with ‘wheelchairs, strollers, high chairs and car seats’ are seated after people who don’t have them,” Dunnam said. “The general manager angrily, and in front of numerous witnesses, yelled at my clients and attempted to exhibit how a wheelchair would block the aisles. (The boy’s) wheelchair actually takes up no more space than a regular chair.”

Dunnam said the general manager “loudly proclaimed that the family could either await the availability of a table in the back corner of the restaurant or they could leave. When dad stated that it was improper to treat them in this manner, the general manager ordered the family to leave or he would call the police.”

Reckner said Sunday night he is aware the family has retained an attorney. Cheddar’s has not been able to directly reach the family, he said.

mcopeland@wacotrib.com

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