LI Wendy's Owner, School To Address Students' 'Disrespectful Behavior'

RIVERHEAD, NY — The owner of the Wendy's in Riverhead is working with the Riverhead Central School District to address an escalating pattern of "disrespectful behavior" at his business that prompted him to close the doors to students during certain hours.

The sign in the window of a Riverhead Wendy's, saying the doors were closed to students during certain hours, sparked outrage among some community members.

The sign, which hangs in the window at the Wendy's located at 1165 Route 58 in Riverhead, reads: "Valued guests: Due to the unacceptable and disrespectful behavior of certain Riverhead students, the dining room will be closed to all students from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The drive-thru will be open."

The sign left some livid. "Discrimination against a population," resident Julie Scott wrote to Patch.

Owner Tom Spero spoke with Patch recently about the issues, stating that the kids had been screaming, cursing, pushing, throwing papers and behaving disrespectfully to staff and customers. Spero told Patch he'd like to reach out to parents to try and solve the problem.

This week, Spero reported that he'd met with the principals of both Riverhead High School and Riverhead Middle School last week. "Basically, their hands are tied because this is not happening on school property," he said.

However, a suggestion was made for a meeting with Spero, his manager and staff, as well as school representatives. Spero said the goal was to help school administrators understand "our point of view, what it does to business and to our customers." The district can then examine why some students were behaving "so recklessly," while others aren't, and consider suggestions on what to do to help the kids "to calm down," Spero said.

Spero said he'd submitted dates for the meeting, which is still to come. "It's a little bit of progress," he said.

Although he'd spoken with Patch previously about wanting to open up the lines of communication with the kids' parents, and invited them to call him, when asked how many had reached out, he replied. "Zero."

However, he said, many customers had called and left messages or told him directly how happy they were that he'd taken a stand.

Similar comments were made on Patch after people read the original article.

"The parents need to take responsibility for their kids!" one reader wrote. "If they damage things, cause an establishment to lose business, then they should be on the hook."

Another added: "Unfortunately, this is what the owner feels safest doing, and I agree. Today there is no accountability, no consequences and with that comes a lot of unruly behavior. I think Wendy’s and other business owners have the right to do with their business as they see fit. Today is a different world. We don’t know what could happen if an altercation were to happen — and we all want to go home at the end of the day. Humanity as a whole needs to do better."

One reader suggesting letting parents see the security footage.

Another reader said: "My parents would have killed me. They got a lot wrong — but they were right about how to behave in a person's place of business. Today's parents could learn from mine."

The Riverhead Central School District also commented: "The district has had ongoing conversations with the Wendy's on Route 58 to resolve this matter and ensure that the establishment is treated with proper respect. To our knowledge, these incidents have largely occurred after the school day has concluded, but we are committed to doing what we can to help rectify this situation. Parents and guardians have been made aware of this matter and have been asked to speak with their children about engaging in respectful behavior at local establishments. We will continue our discussions with Wendy's and the community on this matter to promote appropriate conduct," the district said.

Spero told Patch that shutting the doors to students during certain hours was a "last resort."

The problem has been ongoing for a few years, he said. During the pandemic, the issues weren't as pervasive because schools were closed. When schools reopened, the issues became "really bad," Spero said.

On some days, students from the Riverhead school district congregated in his restaurant, sometimes in groups of as many as 30 or 35 in the dining area, Spero said.

"Some are eating, but most are just sitting around, and some go crazy — cursing, yelling, pushing, shoving, throwing papers. One kids buys a soda and five take drinks from the machine." And, he added, "They are getting loud and vulgar —and I still have other customers."

For example, Spero said often, older adults come in around 3 p.m. or 3:30 p.m., the same time as the unruly groups.

"They complained to us," Spero said. "They've been cursing at my managers, being totally disrespectful. Our general manager was here and they told him to 'Go f--- off.'"

Some students use racial slurs, he said.

"Some say they're just being kids — but they're being out of control kids," Spero said.

The Riverhead Town police have been "great," Spero said, coming immediately if called, including during one incident last year when a fight broke out in the parking lot.

"But they're not afraid of the police," Spero said.

Spero said he's communicated with school officials in both the Riverhead middle and high schools, beginning in 2018. At first, he said, the district would send down the school's security officer, who would "tamper down" the kids. School officials have said they've made announcements, to no avail, Spero said.

"It's not working," he added.

Spero said in his opinion, the problems were exacerbated on game days, with kids "hanging out, getting really unruly, and yelling." He asked school officials if a code of conduct could be enforced but was told it was a difficult situation because the incidents weren't taking place on school property, so the kids couldn't be suspended.

Not all the kids who frequented the eatery were engaging in the poor behavior, Spero pointed out — but those who were, ruined it for all.

"The only thing I can do is lock the doors and monitor the doors. If I see a regular, average blue-collar worker or a senior citizen, I'll let them in," Spero said.

Spero wants to work with parents to resolve the situation. "If the parents of those kids who come to Wendy's could come and just watch, and try to help control them," Spero said he'd be willing to open the doors to students again.

The goal is to let parents get the situation under control, Spero said. He added that he does not want to lose business and also feels for the kids who weren't doing anything wrong.

"But when they start cursing at my manager and crew managers, you can't control it anymore," Spero said.

Spero, a parent of four kids himself, said he's eager to have parents reach out and work with them toward an amicable solution.

Parents who wish to speak with Spero can call 631-369-3232 or call the main Wendy's line at 1-888-624-8140 and leave a message.