Last night my mother stopped at Chic Fil A on her way home from work as she always does on Monday evenings for kids eat free night. I have 4 children so this is the one night a week we eat out, since it is discounted we can afford it. We have been doing this for well over a year and have always been pleased with Chic Fil A. We are a bible believing family and appreciate the Christian Values that Chic Fil A offers. But, tonight for the first time I am completely disgusted and disappointed with our Chic Fil A. At our Chic Fil A in Arlington, TX on S. Cooper they stopped doing the kids eat free night for about 6 months so Mom would stop by the one on Carrier instead. We were excited when they started doing it again in August this year as it is much closer to our home so the food is still hot when it gets here. Tonight, however my Mom went through the drive through as she always does and ordered our adult combo meals and the 4 free kids meals. When she arrived at the window with no kids in the car they told her that she would have to pay for the kids meals since they werent present. She explained to them that my daughter was disabled and that it is difficult to get her out of the house. They refused to budge. She told them to keep the meals. She then called my sister and let her know the dilemma. I had already promised the kids Chic Fil A since we had not been in 2 weeks. So, we loaded all the kids in the car and all of Zalas emergency equipment. When we got there I took all 4 kids inside and my mother stood at the counter and placed the order for the second time. Matt, the employee at the counter scanned the front lobby for all 4 kids and my Mother showed him each one and pointed out my youngest daughter as her handicapped granddaughter and he smirked. It was like he thought we were lying. He was very insensitive. I took my daughter back to the car since I had not gotten her wheelchair out for such a short trip into the store. I went back in to help carry out the food but could not stay in there, for at this point I was outraged. We called the manager, Brad as we drove home to explain the situation and find out when the policy had been implemented. We explained to him that my daughter is terminally ill and that it is difficult to get her out. We also told him that we had been coming here for a very long time and never had this problem, or experienced the disregard of a disabled child by an employee. He made it very clear that he did not care about the circumstance and that there was NO exception to this policy. I know that this is NOT the way Chic Fil A runs its business. I have read too much about the Cathy family to ever expect this from any of their employees or restaurants. There are only two things that would make someone treat a customer this way. They either thought we were liars, or they just didnt care. I do understand the reason for this policy but I also know that exceptions can be made. Since February of this year when my daughter Zala was diagnosed with a very rare disease known as Late Infantile Batten Disease, I have learned so much about so many peoples faith and giving nature. People melt when they see my daughter and learn of her fate. This was the first negative experience I have had in regards to making accommodations for my daughter. Againvery disappointed.
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