At one McDonald’s restaurant in the US, buying a Big Mac and fries is not as simple as walking in and placing an order.
The restaurant in Fairfax County, Virginia, has installed a doorbell for visitors to ring and alert an employee to decide if they can enter.
Customers at the fast food restaurant on Franconia Road must be adults in order to dine inside.
‘Due to repeated incidents of student violence, this McDonald’s location is temporarily closed for dine-in service to anyone under 21 years of age,’ states a ‘safety notice effectively immediately’ from the management team.
‘This decision was made to protect our staff, our guests, and our community.’
The weird decision comes after a brawl at the restaurant involving young people earlier this month.
A video obtained by News4 last week captured the fight with young people shouting expletives and standing on tables.
Perpetrators included students from Thomas Edison High School, which is down the street from the McDonald’s, employees told the news outlet.
The notice at the front door states that ‘we are still here to serve’ adults. The 21+ policy is effective Monday through Friday, aligning with school days. Children will still be allowed inside with their parents, and adult chaperones can bring up to four kids.
McDonald’s stated that it enhanced security measures at the location ‘in an effort to promote a safe environment for our customers and staff’.
‘We love being part of the Edison community and we value each and every customer,’ the company told News4.
‘This policy was developed in partnership with local school officials with oversight from local law enforcement. This serves as a temporary fix as we work towards a long-term solution for all.’
McDonald’s restaurants around the US have been struck with violence.
In April 2024, a teenage girl working at a McDonald’s in St Louis, Missouri, was dragged by her hair and stamped on the head by a customer who became angry while ordering from the counter.
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