Denny’s, NAACP Agree on Random Checks for Bias at Restaurant Chain

Denny’s Inc. and the NAACP agreed Saturday that the chain beset by discrimination complaints will randomly check its restaurants nationwide to ensure that they treat blacks fairly.

“We’re trying to make sure that everybody who does business with Denny’s knows that we want to treat everybody fairly. The NAACP will be very helpful in accomplishing our objectives,” said Jerry Richardson, chairman and chief executive officer of TW Services Inc., the parent company of Denny’s.

TW Services also will increase franchise, purchasing and training opportunities for minorities as part of the agreement, the company announced.

The NAACP will assist the company with sensitivity training, Richardson said. The company also plans to put more blacks in its advertisements, he added.

A final agreement is expected to be signed next month.

“I’m hoping that the content of the agreement will serve as a future model for corporate America to improve a relationship with the African-American community and other minority communities throughout the United States of America,” NAACP Executive Director Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. said.

The agreement follows complaints by black customers that the chain’s restaurants discriminated against them. Last week, Denny’s set up a hot line for employees to report discrimination after six black Secret Service officers said they were denied breakfast at a Maryland restaurant.