Years ago we went on trip to Florida with my grandparents. They took the whole family.
My young cousin was usually a brat in the restaurants. My grandad was a calm quiet man. One day my cousin was screaming and acting out in the restaurant.
Grandpa got out of his chair, picked my cousin up and took him out to the car and shut the door. The kid was still screaming. Grandpa stood there smoking his cigar and told him “when you decide you are done screaming, we will go back inside”. LOL About 15 minutes later they returned and not a peep came out of the kid.
The boy was always good after that in the restaurants.
I don’t think too many people care to have to eat their dinner around noisy brats. It should be the job of parents instead of restaurant making the rules. If this place can afford to lose those customers, the owner has a right to set the rules.
The perfect solution. When our kids got too cranky, and started smarting off, they were sent to their rooms. I told them they could be as cranky and snotty as they wanted, but I didn't have to listen to it, and when they got a handle on themselves, they could join us again. Worked like a charm, and we have four terrific young adults now, who actually enjoy being with us!
Yeah, it SHOULD be the parents, but too many have failed in their duties. I'm thinking after some of those outraged parents hear from others what a nice peaceful place that restaurant is to eat, now, they might think a little harder about how their kids are supposed to act, when out with the general public.
I'm also thinking that the restaurant's business will increase, simply because folks know they can eat, and enjoy a conversation, without having to deal with unruly little ones.
Our biggest complaint at restaurants these days is the volume of the music! We almost always have to ask if they can turn it down because we can hardly hear each other across the table.