Culver's Plagued By 'Out Of Control' Kids — Until Owner Demanded Parent Accountability

MATTESON, IL — A plea for help from a south suburban fast food franchise owner — who reached her breaking point over unaccompanied minors causing havoc at her restaurant — has turned into an opportunity for community building.

Dawndria Murray, who owns the Culver’s location on South Cicero Avenue in Matteson, took to Facebook last week, asking parents to step in as she was forced to navigate vandalism, food fights, profanity and more from local kids.

Conversations with school officials didn’t fix things, so Murray announced Tuesday that children would no longer be allowed at the restaurant without an adult.

"I've tried to be the village for your children. I know some parents are single parents. I know some parents are working. But it has gotten out of control,” she said in a video posted Wednesday on Facebook by local business leader and content creator Early Walker, who used his online footprint to bring attention to her plight.

“… I can’t be a village if the parents aren’t helping me.”

Walker also shared footage of some of the minors at the restaurant and the response was fast, with parents apologizing within hours, he said in follow-up Facebook posts.

The community also made a point to show up mid-day Saturday at the location and offer their support, with Mayor Sheila Chalmers-Currin and Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller among those in attendance, as shown in Walker’s live videos from the event.