Chick-fil-A restaurant bans unaccompanied minors, citing 'unacceptable behavior' from young patrons

• A Chick-fil-A is banning unchaperoned patrons under 16, citing a series of recent disruptive behavior. 
• "We cannot allow this to continue," the restaurant wrote in a Facebook post.
• The decision has led to both support and outcry from the community. 

A Pennsylvania Chick-fil-A is stirring up controversy after it announced it will no longer allow unaccompanied minors in the restaurant. 

In a Facebook post shared Wednesday, the Royersford-based restaurant announced that "anyone under the age of 16 is required to be accompanied by an adult," citing a number of "unacceptable behaviors" from local youths that prompted the new policy. 

Specifically, it mentions loud volume and conversations with explicit language, mistreatment of property, disrespect of employees, and unsafe behaviors like "walking through the parking lot and drive thru lanes."

"As you can imagine, this is not a pleasant experience," the post states. "We want to provide a comfortable and safe environment for our guests and our staff, and also to protect our building. Therefore, we cannot allow this to continue."

While teens can still order food to-go, they are not permitted to stay at the restaurant without an adult, according to the post. 

"To those unaccompanied children and teens that have visited us and acted appropriately, we thank you," the post states. "But we also apologize. Due to the numerous extreme behaviors of many of your peers, we must make a blanket rule covering anyone under the age of 16."

The 200-plus comments on the post are mixed between supporters cheering the restaurant for its new policy and others decrying the decision.

"Boundaries must be established for the health and safety of your employees and customers. I applaud Chick-fil-A for taking steps to ensure such," wrote one. 

Another commenter referenced the company's position as an openly Christian-owned company and criticized the franchise for not assisting youth in the community. 

"As a company that is guided by Christian values, I have to wonder if this action is what Christ would have wanted? Where in the Bible does it say "Thou shall turn away youth who clearly need guidance"?" the commenter wrote. 

A Chick-fil-A spokesperson did not immediately respond to Insider's request to comment. The Royersford, Pennsylvania, location is one of Chick-fil-A's more than 2,000 franchises the country.