Dairy Queen sign says 'In God We Trust,' angers some customers
KEWASKUM, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A sign on the door of a Kewaskum Dairy Queen, calling the restaurant 'politically incorrect' is generating business and conversation.
The sign reads: "This restaurant is politically incorrect." It warns potential customers that staff may say things like "Merry Christmas," "Happy Easter," and will also offer free sundaes to veterans on Veterans Day. It also says "In God We Trust."
"I felt the sign was appropriate to hang in terms of being transparent about the views of the owner and staff supporting God and country," said owner Kevin Scheunemann.
"It just seems that those kinds of values and principles are becoming controversial in society," he said.
The sign was posted close to four years ago, after a customer was upset when he heard Christian music inside the restaurant. Scheunemann decided to post the warning, and said he hasn't had many problems since then.
One time, a customer was upset at the offer of free ice cream for veterans, but Scheunemann said he is open to talking with anyone who may have concerns about the sign. He says he'll even make arrangements for a customer to come in without witnessing any expression of God or country.
Other business owners in town say they support Scheunemann's right to run his business the way he sees fit.
"He posted it on the door so you see it before you walk in," said April Serwe, who owns local bar PJ Magoos. "You don’t have to walk in if you don't agree with it."
In fact, some people in town told us there isn't even a need for a sign like that -- because most residents in Kewaskum share the same values.
"In this small community, I don't think it's a problem," said resident Liz Torrison. "We're all just liking each other and having fun."
Dairy Queen sent us this statement in response:
"American Dairy Queen Corporation does not encourage our independently owned and operated franchisees to post non-business related messages in their locations or on their external reader boards. This sign expresses the views of this independent owner only and does not speak for ADQ Corporation or any of our other independent franchise owners. We expect our franchisees and employees to treat every person who walks through our doors with the utmost dignity and respect. Nothing less is acceptable."
But Scheunemann, who also happens to be the Kewaskum Village President, says he's happy to sit down and have a conversation with anyone to make them feel comfortable about what the sign says.