Technicalities

November 28, 2006

Just to Eat Pancakes?

Customers were shocked by a new policy at a local International House Of Pancakes restaurant recently when they were asked to turn over their driver's licenses before being seated.

Shocked? How about outraged?

NewsCenter 5's Gail Huff reported that it wasn't a very popular idea.

No... I don't believe it. You mean people were a bit offended by this?

The restaurant said it had been having problems with customers coming in and eating, then leaving without paying the bill. So an employee came up with the idea of asking people to turn over their licenses before they ate. It was returned after they paid.

Basically they're telling all their customers, we think you're going to skip on your bill. We have decided every customer is guilty until proven innocent. Real nice of them isn't it. But here's the real kicker...

The security guard had at least 40 licenses in his hand.

People were actually handing over their licenses to sit down and eat pancakes!!!! Why would anyone do that?

They have no idea what information is being taken from those licenses, they have no idea who is holding on to them. They seem to be unconcerned that someone else could give their name and walk off with the license while they sit there eating.

All of this for pancakes? I don't think so!

Fortunately, it seems that the corporated office is stepping in.

This was done without the knowledge or approval of management ... We apologize to any guest who was inconvenienced."
The company said it would reverse the policy immediately.

I don't know if it's true that upper management hadn't heard about the plan - but it looks like they noticed that their customers aren't happy about it. It could be that they said it was all right, but now that people are angry, they're throwing the local management under the bus. Or it could be that the local management, in all their wisdom thought this was a brilliant idea. (making me wonder about the IQ of the people placed in management in this chain of restaurants)

I can't think of a single place I've eaten that would be worth giving my driver's license to sit down and partake. If that's what is required, I won't go out to eat. But IHOP? Oh hell no!

Hey, you IHOP people at this restaurant...You want to make sure the bill is paid? Put your security guard at the door, have people pay at the cash register, give them a receipt and have the guard check that as people leave. Just like they do at Best Buy or Wal-Mart or other places of business.

Posted by: Teresa in Idiocies at 08:51 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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