Illinois Dairy Queen Closed After Owner ‘Proudly Admitted’ Racial Slur

A Dairy Queen in Zion closed last week after the owner “proudly admitted” to calling a customer a racial slur, police said.

The closing stemmed from a Jan 4 incident at the fast-food restaurant. Customer Deianeira Ford said the owner lashed out at her when she asked for a refund after failing to receive her full order.

In a Facebook post, Ford said the owner, Jim Crichton, used racial slurs against her in front of her children. Ford called police, and an officer who responded wrote in a report that Crichton “proudly admitted” to using slurs, the Chicago Tribune reported.

When the same officer returned later in the day to a separate call at the Dairy Queen, he said Crichton denied making the remarks, according to the Tribune. Ford also said that when she asked the owner for his name, he told her “Bill Clinton,” then added, “Better yet, I’m Donald Trump.”

Zion Mayor Al Hill called the incident “embarrassing for the city,” adding, “It doesn’t reflect our community,” according to the Tribune report.

Days after the incident, Dairy Queen terminated its franchise agreement with Crichton and, in a Facebook post, denounced his behavior.

“We take this action very seriously and don’t condone any discrimination,” the company said. “We apologize for the inappropriate actions of the Zion franchisee.” The chain said the Lake County store will remain closed until further notice. A spokesman for the company told the Chicago Tribune the location will not reopen as a Dairy Queen unless the ownership changes.

Over the weekend, protesters staged a “celebration” outside the shuttered restaurant.

In a statement issued by Dairy Queen, Crichton apologized, stating, “I take full responsibility of my actions. As the owner of this restaurant, I should be a model for others. My actions were inexcusable and unacceptable."

In another Facebook post, Ford thanked supporters in Zion, the media and around the world for backing her after the incident.

Customers took to Dairy Queen's corporate Facebook page to thank the company for taking a stand against racism.

"Sending you a Blizzard of hugs," wrote one grateful fan.