Children served alcohol at Applebee?s: Two employees fired after error
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According to police reports, two children ages 11 and 7 were served alcoholic pina coladas while eating dinner with their family. The children had ordered virgin drinks meaning they should have been prepared without alcohol.
?The health and safety of our guests is our No. 1 priority,? said Fred Pierson, president of the Woodland Group which owns our local Applebee?s. ?I can certainly understand the family?s concern. I have spoken to them several times to apologize and to offer any and all assistance we can.?
The children had consumed a portion of their pina coladas when manager Nicole Smith noticed the drinks were in the wrong type of glass.
To avoid getting drinks confused, Applebee?s has a policy that requires alcoholic beverages to be served in a frosted glass with a black straw. Non-alcoholic versions are to be served in a clear glass with a clear straw.
Because a portion of the drinks had been consumed, the ambulance service was called and the children were taken to River Park Hospital as a precautionary measure.
?Although the error was unintentional, because of its severity, I immediately dismissed the two individuals involved,? said Pierson, who indicated the bartender misread the ticket and the server was new to the job and didn?t catch the mistake. ?Additionally, I have instructed the restaurant to take immediate measures to ensure this type of incident does not happen again.?