McHenry County Blog

Waitresses and waiters at Outback Steakhouse have worn pins for as long as I can remember.

As a collector of buttons, I notice things like that.

Tonight we learned that the conspicuous display of pins at the restaurant are on the way out.

At least as displayed on shirtfronts of veteran servers.

Maybe they will end up framed on the wall.

The Blues Brothers pin you can see below (if you click on the photo to enlarge it) caught my attention tonight.

I asked about it and discovered new uniforms were in the offing.

Only one pin will be allowed.

I told our waitress that it looked as if she could survive an attack by a SWAT Team.

Later, I took the opportunity to ask if I could take some photos so people could take a look at what the waitstaff looked like in the “good ol’ days.”

Melissa McGinley was wearing more pins than anyone else I saw Friday night.

While those wearing the most pins now appear to have higher rank and certainly must have the most seniority, all serves will look like PFC’s after the new look is instituted.

There is also be a makeover planned for of the 13-year old Crystal Lake Outback Steakhouse this year.

A press release from State Rep. candidate Danielle Rowe:

Rowe Stands with Megan Gellar, Calls on Crystal Lake Outback Steakhouse to Reinstate Her

(Crystal Lake, Illinois) – Conservative Republican, Tea Party candidate for State Representative Danielle Rowe today called on the Outback Steakhouse in Crystal Lake to reinstate waitress Megan Gellar after Ms. Gellar was terminated from her job for wearing a bracelet with the inscription, “Don’t Tread on Me”.

“Megan is a thoughtful young woman who was wearing a bracelet in support of her brother, a United States Marine,” said Danielle Rowe, Candidate for State Representative, 52nd District.

“Outback Steakhouse at the national level has been a great supporter of our military men and women.

“I cannot imagine the corporate leadership of Outback would support Ms. Gellar’s termination if they were aware of the circumstances.”

Rowe attended a rally in support of Ms. Gellar and has been in contact with her.

“I want to thank Danielle Rowe and all those involved who have stood up for me in the wake of this incident,” said Gellar.

“I really appreciate the concern and support I have received from so many. Our military puts their life on the line each and every day for us and I will do the same for them. I may not be overseas fighting but I am here fighting for what they protect, our freedom.”

According to Ms. Gellar who was interviewed on WLS-AM 890 radio this morning, patrons she was waiting on complained about her bracelet to her, made disparaging remarks about the Tea Party movement, and, despite Ms. Gellar’s unwillingness to get into a political discussion saying “it was not the appropriate time or place,” the patrons complained to one of the managers who terminated Ms. Gellar’s employment on the spot.

Rowe pointed out that the Gadsden Flag, off which the bracelet Ms. Gellar was wearing is based, was the first flag carried into battle by the United State Marine Corps during the American Revolution.

“I don’t like to see people bullied, much less terminated from their job during these difficult economic times because of their political views,” continued Rowe.

“It’s not right. Frankly, it’s not American.”

Yesterday, this story was posted from information provided by McHenry County Blog readers.

Now a reader has forwarded a reply that she got from Crystal Lake Joint Venture Partner Bob Irons:

“Thank you for contacting the Outback Steakhouse website.

My name is Bob Irons and I am the Joint Venture Partner for Outback in the Chicago area which includes the Crystal Lake, IL location.

I am aware of the media story about a waitress who was allegedly terminated for wearing a tea party bracelet.

Please be assured that this story is not true. We have not terminated a waitress for wearing a tea party bracelet.

To learn more about Outback, please visit our website www.outback.com - Company Info / Operation Feeding Freedom / Thanks for Giving.

Thank you again for your feedback.

Sincerely,

Bob Irons

Joint Venture Partner

= = = = =
After posting this, I found a video interview from the night of the protest. You can find it here on Breakdown of America.

= = = = =
The following came as a comment from Outback Steakhouse below this article. I thought it deserved to be put in the article:

Thank you for your interest in Outback Steakhouse.

The employee was not let go because of her Tea Party bracelet. On the night in question two separate tables complained about her lack of attention – one flagging down the manager to pay their bill as they could not find her and another going to the bar because they received the wrong drink and could not find her.

Outback Steakhouse in Crystal Lake, Illinois

When the manager spoke to the employee about this she responded by yelling at him with a hostile attitude. This is why she was fired.She was not fired because a customer complained about her bracelet. That would have simply been handled by asking her to take off the bracelet.

As to the Illinois Department of Employment Security letter stating she was fired for wearing the bracelet – this simply reflects what the employee told them. No hearing was held that we participated in, nor did we submit any information regarding her claim.

I would also point out this bracelet is not a Marine Corps bracelet nor is it a bracelet supporting our troops. The bracelet has only the motto “Don’t Tread on Me” followed by “November 6, 2012”. November 6, 2012 is the next Presidential election. The bracelet does not have any Marine Corps insignia. When the customer asked the employee about the bracelet, she said it was a Tea Party bracelet.

You can find information on what our company does to honor our military and support our veterans on our website http://www.outback.com – click Company Info then click Operation Feeding Freedom and Thanks for Giving.

Thank you.

Joe Kadow
Outback Steakhouse

A post on FaceBook from Tonya Franklin, the mother of a waitress fired by Crystal Lake Outback Steakhouse, led to a demonstration at the restaurant Sunday afternoon.

Most of the message follows:

Boycott Outback Steakhouse ~ Don’t Tread On Me!

Here's the message: "State of Illinois stated she was Wrongfully Terminated! MAN UP - Outback Steak House."

My daughter was fired from Outback Steakhouse after a customers (husband/wife) got very upset over her wearing this bracelet, the woman kept asking where she got it and what it meant and when my daughter said my mom got it at a TEA Party convention the woman flipped.

Flags were flying in the wind on Route 14 in front of Outback.

“Those were the wrong two words to say to me. The Tea Party is ruining this Country and you need to get yourself educated little girl”.After the woman was finished insulting her she said, “Box up my damn food, get me some more water and while your at it get me your damn manager”.

She sent the owner over and he was at the table for close to 10 mins or longer and then he said he had 2 complaints tonight and that he was letting her go.

He is insisting it isn’t over the bracelet, but she has been with the corporation for several years and a couple of transfers.

No one ever requested she not wear it.

I for one am boycotting Outback forever.

I also used to bartend for them back in the day.

BTW I just ordered 400 more of these bracelets and they say “Don’t Tread On Tea”.

Now a 3-4 yr work history, 2 Carraba’s locations and an Outback reference down the drain.

And a report about the demonstration:

"Fired for a bracelet. HONK 4 Free Speech," the sign says.

“The event at Outback Steakhouse was a huge success.

“There were about 60-75 people there at it’s peak; I’d say about 45-50 people were there the whole time, 4:30-6:30.

“We were in the Outback parking lot for awhile, and the other half of the people on Rte. 14, then the police came about 5:15 and politely asked us to stand out on the easement on Rte. 14.

“CONSTANT honking of horns throughout the evening!

“The Northwest Herald came and interviewed the fired employee, and took pictures.

“Meghan has a document from the State of Illinois that states that she was wrongly fired.”

For more McHenry County Blog, click here.

= = = = =

Posted Monday night:  Outback Steakhouse management sent an email to a protestor late Monday.  You can find it here.