Restaurants continue to serve as scrimmage grounds on the fringe of the larger constitutional gun control debate in the United States.
In late spring, restaurant brands were pulled into the debate with responses to open-carry gun proponents protesting at such brands as Chili’s Grill & Bar and Sonic Drive-In. The brands addressed the incidences with policy statements urging patrons not to display guns on their properties, and they were loudly criticized on social media platforms.
On Sept. 8, Panera Bread stepped into the crosshairs of the gun debate when it said it was asking customers not to bring firearms into any of its 1,818 restaurants in 45 states.
Ron Shaich, Panera Bread’s chief executive, told CNBC that the voluntary move was made after “months of discussions” with the advocacy group Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.
Panera said in a statement provided to Nation’s Restaurant News: “Within our company, we strive to create Panera Warmth. This warmth means bakery-cafes where customers and associates feel comfortable and welcome.
“To this end,” the statement continued, “we ask that guns not be brought into this environment unless carried by an authorized law enforcement officer. Panera respects the rights of gun owners, but asks our customers to help preserve the environment we are working to create for our guests and associates.”
Shaich told CNBC, “we recognize everyone's rights, but we also recognize that we are building communities in our cafes and are where people come to catch a breath."
The Christian Science Monitor said that the move by Panera, which joined a list of companies that includes Target, Chipotle, Starbucks and Jack in the Box in making policy statements, indicates where the gun debate is going.
“The move is the latest indication of how gun-rights politics has moved uncomfortably into eateries and other public places,” the Monitor observed. “Gun-rights enthusiasts have sought to celebrate ‘open-carry’ firearm laws by walking into businesses like Target and Starbucks with guns strapped to their belt or back. Not all the patrons feel comfortable with that.”
Social media reaction to Panera’s move ranged from “DO NOT EAT PANERA” from @libertyhacking on Twitter to a posted thanks from the advocacy group @MomsDemand.
DO NOT EAT AT PANERA. They are part of the problem "Customers should leave their guns at home" http://t.co/pv6Tw7OPQb #BoycottPanera
— Ima Patriot (@libertyhacking) September 10, 2014
Tully: Thanks, Panera, for ban on guns http://t.co/quCPBVNauu via @indystar #MomsDemand #GunSense pic.twitter.com/irhSbHceon
— Moms Demand Action (@MomsDemand) September 12, 2014
CNBC embedded an unscientific survey in its story that showed strong disapproval of Panera’s move. In answer to the question “Does this decision change your opinion on Panera?,” more than 86 percent of the voluntary respondents said, “Yes, for the worse.”
Leading up to the gun-policy announcement, Forbes reported that Panera sought advice from Michael Bloomberg-backed Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.
In his CNBC interview, Shaich noted that “this industry has attempted to figure out how it stands out of 'make a point' political battles by advocates on either extreme.”
And Shaich continued: “I think what we feel is we're trying to be respectful of people's rights, while at the same time ensuring that Panera isn't the battleground for political statement.”
Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].
Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless