TIL: My local Waffle House is run by a hoplophobic shit head.

I am not certain if all franchises have the same policies, but this is my experience at my local Waffle House.

A Waffle House opened up on my block not too long ago, and since they're open 24/7 and I often have to get up early for work (before sunrise), it's a convenient way for me to get my dietary needs (I'm doing the r/keto thing) if I'm in a hurry. I noticed there was a sign on the door that said something to the effect of "no firearms or deadly weapons unless authorized by law". Well, I thought, I am authorized by the state to carry a concealed firearm, so I'm fine.

The first few times I went there I openly carried my utility knife on my belt that I use for work (I am an organic farmer). Nobody cared or said anything, and apparently at the hours I visited, there was no security guard. My knife has previously never been a problem anywhere, even walking by cops, going into all sorts of retail stores, even grocery stores with off-duty cop security guards.

The last time I went to Waffle House, I sat down at the counter and the server recognized me and said if I would like my order again, and I said yes, and off course he was super friendly because I tip extremely well. Anyway, this manager was off-duty and sitting down the counter and looked at my knife. He said, "is that a knife?" and I said, "yes, it is", and he said, "that is not allowed in here, please leave". I gave him a funny look and said, "I've been here several times and it hasn't been a problem, ever. This guy even recognizes me. I carry the knife because I am a farmer and it is a useful tool."

He points me over to the sign and says, "no deadly weapons, a knife is a deadly weapon." I argued that according to Ohio law, IT IS NOT UNLESS IT IS USED AS A WEAPON and that there is absolutely no law against open carrying knives of any size in Ohio (concealed is a different story). A deadly weapon, under Ohio law, can be a lamp or a fork or anything that can cause serious bodily harm. He wasn't having any of it.

So then I said, "fine, I won't bring a knife in here if that's your policy, but what about firearms?" (because if he unreasonably discriminates against one, I wanted to make sure I was OK with the other)

He says, "you can't bring firearms in here." I say the sign says I can if I am authorized to carry a firearm. He says, "Only police and security guards can". I say that is not what the sign says. He just says that's their policy. He looks really pissed off, so I decide just to leave. Never going back to Waffle House. Fuck that. Even Starbucks respects local laws and allows you to open carry firearms in their stores (even had a nice conversation with a knife-collecting barista about my knife). Apparently Waffle House cannot trust their own customers.

I tried to contact Waffle House on their website about this, but apparently my local franchise is not supported by their customer contact submission thingy and I should call the franchise directly (which obviously isn't going to get anywhere).