Please note: we are bringing back this story, which first made headlines in September 2017.
A Dairy Queen location in Wisconsin has caught the public’s eye after a sign displayed in its front window went viral.
The sign, located in the front window of a Dairy Queen in Kewaskum, Wisconsin, declares that “this restaurant is politically incorrect” and mentions that the staff wishes patrons “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Easter,” and “God Bless America,” among other greetings, as reported by WDJT.
Additionally, the sign indicates that the restaurant honors the flag, expresses gratitude to the troops, and provides complimentary sundaes to military veterans on Veterans Day.
Franchise owner Kevin Scheunemann expressed, “I thought it was fitting to display the sign to be open about the beliefs of the owner and staff in support of God and country. It appears that such values and principles are becoming contentious in today’s society.”
Scheunemann mentioned that he initially put up the sign nearly four years ago after a customer voiced concerns about Christian music being played in the restaurant. Since he displayed the sign, he has not encountered any further complaints.
The sign only gained widespread attention after a guest from Oregon shared a photo of it on Facebook, voicing concerns about the seemingly exclusive ideals conveyed in the sign’s message.
According to KIRO, the original post attracted significant attention before it was taken down. One commenter expressed relief over its removal, questioning why it sparked such intense reactions among people.
“Some individuals agree with the sign (and that’s perfectly fine), but at the same time, they are launching personal attacks against the person who shared the image and expressed her opinion (which is certainly not acceptable),” the commenter stated.
Local business owners support Scheunemann’s choice to display the sign, with some suggesting that it serves as much as a decision for customers to stay away as it does for the owner to communicate his beliefs, as reported by WDJT.
“He put it on the door so you can see it before entering,” said April Serwe, the owner of a local bar. “You’re not obligated to come in if you don’t agree with it.”
“In this tight-knit community, I don’t see it as an issue,” commented local resident Liz Torrison. “We all just enjoy each other’s company and have a good time.”
Dairy Queen clarified that it does not support Scheunemann’s method.
“This sign reflects the opinions of this independent owner alone and does not represent ADQ Corporation or any of our other independent franchise owners,” stated the corporate office. “We expect our franchisees and staff to treat every individual who enters our doors with the highest level of dignity and respect. Anything less is unacceptable.”
Sources: WDJT, KIRO / Featured Image: Mike Mozart/Flickr / Embedded Images: Daily Mail, Google Maps via Daily Mail
