A letter from FFRF Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Markert successfully ended an illegal “church bulletin discount” at Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers in Oklahoma City. The custard shop offered a discount to customers who showed a church bulletin from worship services. A sign outside the shop read “10% off with Church Bulletin.” Markert pointed out in her Feb. 24 letter that Freddy’s discount violates the federal Civil Rights Act, Oklahoma state law and Oklahoma City Municipal Code, all of which guarantee that places of public accommodation cannot discriminate on religious grounds. “Freddy’s restrictive promotional practice favors religious customers and denies customers who do not attend church, and nonbelievers the right to ‘full and equal’ enjoyment of Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers,” wrote Markert. “Any promotions should be available to all customers regardless of religious preference or practice on a nondiscriminatory basis.” Sharol Rasberry, VP of Freddy’s franchise, responded graciously on March 7: “We have immediately ended this promotion. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.” — Bonnie Gutsch
March 7, 2011
