Rose Rock, the comedian Chris Rock's mother, said Tuesday she is planning to sue the restaurant chain Cracker Barrel for racial discrimination. Rock said she and her daughter were seated for more than half an hour at a Cracker Barrel in Murrells Inlet, SC, before she called over the manager and asked him about the delay.
Rock says she and her 21-year-old daughter, the only blacks in the restaurant, were completely ignored by staff. When she complained to the manager she says he offered to give them a free meal.
Rock tells the AP, "He never called over the waitress and asked, 'Why did these people sit here for an hour without service?' The only thing he said was we could have a free meal and neither of us wanted to eat."
Cracker Barrel has faced multiple lawsuits and a federal inquiry in the past. The restaurant chain has been accused of refusing to serve black customers, discriminating against minority workers and firing gay employees.
Cracker Barrel spokeswoman Julie Davis says the company does not "tolerate any form of discrimination."
Davis says, "It has always been a violation of our policies and procedures and it is neither condoned nor allowed. We do not allow the type of behavior you are describing."
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