Custard Stand Controversy Over 'English Only' Policy

Newsmax ^ | 5/19/16 | Bill Hoffman

[Impala64ssa]

A popular custard stand in Milwaukee — rumored to be the inspiration for Arnold's Drive-In on TV's "Happy Days" — says its employees must speak English on the job and can't take orders given in foreign languages.

Ron Schneider, the owner of Leon's Frozen Custard, a family owned business since 1942, is standing by his 10-year-old policy, which only recently came to light among customers. "Hey, c'mon! It is America. We've spoken English for a long, long time. Any foreign language is going to be a problem," Schneider told Fox6Now.com.

"What I'm trying to avoid is when people come up here, get waited on in a different language because there happens to be an employee who speaks that language … It's going to get disruptive if we have to become bilingual, trilingual or anything else." Latest News Update

Some in the heavily Latino area aren't happy, while others say it's much ado about nothing. Fox6Now.com said the policy became an issue this week when one of Leon's employees, interacting with a Spanish-speaking customer, was heard telling him in Spanish "I'm not allowed to speak Spanish to you.''

Another Spanish speaker, surprised by the policy, also asked for custard in Spanish and got the same response.

The League of United Latin American Citizens wants a federal probe by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, calling Leon's policy a "clear violation of federal labor law." Leon's, considered a Wisconsin landmark for its classic chrome and neon design, made national news in the 1990s when President Bill Clinton stopped by for some soft-serve custard.

In "Happy Days," which ran from 1974-1984 on ABC-TV, Arnold's Drive-In served as the official hangout of biker Arthur "The Fonz" Fonzarelli, played by Henry Winkler.

[Impala64ssa]

[2ndDivisionVet]

LULAC is La Raza by another name.

[ROCKLOBSTER]

policy a "clear violation of federal labor law."

That must be outlined in the Spanish language portion of our Constitution.

[Ray76]

Assimilate or leave now.

[Salvation]

Good for them.

[llevrok]

I recall years ago when Gino’s in Philly had this same policy. The liberal thought police came after them. They started selling Speak English! bumper stickers and their business soared.

[llevrok]

now that virtually every form of LGBT lifestyle has been addressed, I think a national language will be the next big 2016 election and progressive cause.

[JennysCool]

Trump needs to get ahold of this. It’s another perfect story to make a point about what America has become.

[BunnySlippers]

Press 2 for English.

[Boomer]

Anyone who lives in this country and doesn’t want to speak English should start packing now. They are not wanted or needed here.

[billyboy15]

Employees should simply ignore anyone who orders in a foreign language.

[MayflowerMadam]

“Trump needs to get ahold of this.”

I’ve been thinking the same thing for a few months now. If he were to add to his platform that English as the official language of the U.S., and English only in business, he’d add 5 points to his polling favorables.

[rawcatslyentist]

Nah, just give em extra anchovies in every order.

[billyboy15]

Probably a good idea except personally I LOVE Anchovies.

[usconservative]

For all you cheeseheads:

Best frozen custard in the world. Period.

Love,
An Illinois Flatlander

[Arm_Bears]

My business, my rules.

Or does that apply only to places like Target.

[New Jersey Realist]

Joey Vento, founder of Gino’s was a wise man. RIP Joey!

[mouse1]

read the owner caved

[sergeantdave]

“Best frozen custard in the world. Period.”

And best chocolate malts in the universe.

[Albion Wilde]

Philadelphia went through this same issue some years ago when a noted Italian Market cheesesteak institution, Geno's Steaks, had a similar sign. The owner Joey Vento said generations of his neighbors had immigrated from Italy and had learned English, and he was carrying on similar expectations. He was nearly 70 when the Philadelphia "Human Rights" commission brought him up on discrimination charges when two hispanic immigrants objected to his "English only" sign, and put him through two years of hell, but he won his case; but Joey Vento died of a heart attack shortly afterward. It was, as they say in South Philadelphia where his business was (and still is) located, "a sin."