The settlement follows a state investigation into allegations that students with autism faced mistreatment during a class visit to a Maryland Cracker Barrel
NEED TO KNOW
- Cracker Barrel settles Maryland disability complaint tied to visit by students with autism
- Agreement requires $75K to students, donations to school programs and revised policies
- Company denies wrongdoing but must update training, issue an apology and comply for two years
Cracker Barrel has entered into a sweeping pre-determination settlement agreement with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) and the Civil Rights Division of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General following allegations that a group of elementary school students with autism faced mistreatment during a class visit to one of the chain’s restaurants.
The agreement, obtained by PEOPLE, was signed between Thursday, Dec. 4, and Dec. 12 and resolves a joint investigation by the two state agencies, including no admission of wrongdoing by the company. According to the case file, the matter stems from a visit by students with autism from Dr. James Craik Elementary School to a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Waldorf, Md., during a community-based instruction outing. Teachers alleged the group “was subjected to delays and mistreatment because of the students’ disabilities,” the document states.
As stated in the court files, both the Annotated Code of Maryland and the Americans with Disabilities Act require places of public accommodation to provide “full and equal enjoyment of services” to disabled patrons. The MCCR launched its investigation shortly after the incident. On Dec. 12, 2024, the MCCR Chairperson Stephanie Suerth issued a formal complaint alleging that Cracker Barrel violated State Government Code § 20-304.
The Civil Rights Division also joined the investigation. While Cracker Barrel conducted its own internal review, the company “denies that it violated state or federal law and contends that the students were in no way denied service or treated differently because of their disabilities,” according to the agreement. The settlement notes that the company’s execution of the document “shall not be in any way deemed an admission of any violation of law.”…