Wisconsin Dairy Queen Displays Controversial Sign; Owner Defends Choice
Note: This story is being republished; it originally appeared in September 2017.
A Dairy Queen in Kewaskum, Wisconsin, recently gained widespread attention after a sign in its window went viral.
The sign, displayed prominently at the restaurant, declares that the establishment is “politically incorrect.” It mentions that the staff wishes customers “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Easter,” and “God Bless America,” among other sentiments, as reported by WDJT.
Additionally, the sign indicates that the restaurant honors the flag, expresses gratitude to the military, and provides free sundaes to veterans on Veterans Day.
Franchise owner Kevin Scheunemann explained that the sign was intended to clearly communicate the values of the owner and staff, which include support for religious and patriotic principles. Scheunemann noted that such values seem increasingly contentious in today’s society.
Scheunemann first put up the sign nearly four years ago after receiving a complaint about Christian music played in the restaurant. Since then, he has not faced further issues related to the sign.
The sign gained viral attention when a visitor from Oregon posted a photo of it on Facebook, expressing concerns about the exclusivity of the sign’s message.
The original post attracted significant attention before it was deleted, as reported by KIRO. One commenter voiced frustration over the negative reactions the post received, questioning why it provoked such strong responses.
While some individuals support the message of the sign, they also criticized the personal attacks directed at the person who shared the photo, calling such behavior unacceptable.
Local business owners largely support Scheunemann’s decision, noting that the sign serves as a way for the owner to express personal beliefs while allowing customers the choice to patronize the establishment based on their own views, according to WDJT.
April Serwe, a local bar owner, remarked, “The sign is posted so you see it before entering. It’s up to you whether to come in if you disagree with it.”
Local resident Liz Torrison added, “In this small town, it’s not an issue. We all get along well and enjoy ourselves.”
Dairy Queen’s corporate office clarified that the sign reflects the views of this specific franchisee and not the company as a whole.
A statement from the corporate headquarters read, “This sign represents the perspective of this independent owner and does not reflect the views of ADQ Corporation or other franchisees. We expect all our franchisees and employees to treat every customer with the highest respect and dignity.”
Sources: WDJT, KIRO / Featured Image: Mike Mozart/Flickr / Embedded Images: Daily Mail, Google Maps via Daily Mail