Dairy Queen closes Illinois store after owner uses slur
ZION, Ill. — Dairy Queen has closed one of its stores in Illinois and terminated its relationship with the franchise owner after police say he used racial slurs in an angry confrontation with a customer.
A Zion police report says the franchise owner, Jim Crichton, told a responding officer he called Deianeira Ford, 21, of Tinley Park, Illinois, and her children a racial slur. He also said he was “fed up with black people” and would go to jail over the issue. According to the report, Ford said Crichton called her and her children the slur after she asked for a refund for a mixed-up food order in the drive through.
“It was really just upsetting especially with having my children in the car,” said Ford, the mother of a 2-year-old daughter and 5-month-old son. “I mean, no one deserves to be treated like that.”
The incident prompted protesters to gather outside the Dairy Queen on Saturday. Ford said she has an attorney and is considering legal action. Ford’s attorney didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment.