# Should fast food places sell alcohol? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 22, 2011, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fast-food-places-sell-alcohol/607024 "2011-12-22T01:27:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fast-food-places-sell-alcohol/607024/1 "2011-12-22T01:27:06Z")
[White Castle is selling beer and wine in Indiana](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_WHITE_CASTLE_ALCOHOL?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-12-21-17-46-32), as a test. Burker King opened a restaurant in Miami that sells beer, and Starbucks has also been selling beer and wine at a few places, according to the story. > [@](#): > > “This was something that customers had been suggesting,” said Jamie Richardson, a spokesman for Columbus-based White Castle System Inc. “They thought that beer and wine might go nicely with the barbecue that was available at Blaze. We’re certain that we might have some customers who might enjoy some sliders and a beer or wine as well.” I’m curious what public opinion (well, at least Doper opinion) is on this. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea? Why? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fast-food-places-sell-alcohol/607024/2 "2011-12-22T01:33:53Z")
I should clarify a bit: it’s not a White Castle that is currently selling beer; it’s a White Castle Blaze restaurant, that mainly serves BBQ. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Hen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@Small\_Hen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Hen)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fast-food-places-sell-alcohol/607024/3 "2011-12-22T02:24:30Z")
A few of them already do - Taco Cabana (a mexican chain in Texas) sells beer and margaritas. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fast-food-places-sell-alcohol/607024/4 "2011-12-22T02:30:12Z")
No. I don’t think places renowned for being mostly staffed by teenagers should sell alcohol. Way too likely that they’ll covertly get beer into their friends’ hands. ---
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fast-food-places-sell-alcohol/607024/5 "2011-12-22T02:34:27Z")
No. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fast-food-places-sell-alcohol/607024/6 "2011-12-22T02:39:03Z")
> [@Small\_Hen](#): > > A few of them already do - Taco Cabana (a mexican chain in Texas) sells beer and margaritas. Lots of Chipotle locations sell beer and margies as well. > [@elfkin477](#): > > No. I don’t think places renowned for being mostly staffed by teenagers should sell alcohol. Way too likely that they’ll covertly get beer into their friends’ hands. Oh noes! Teenagers drinking! (You know 18-year-olds can be liquor-slinging _bartenders_ in most states, right?) ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fast-food-places-sell-alcohol/607024/7 "2011-12-22T02:40:05Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > No. I don’t think places renowned for being mostly staffed by teenagers should sell alcohol. Way too likely that they’ll covertly get beer into their friends’ hands. yeah, like that’s any different than convenience stores staffed by teenagers. I don’t see the big deal. It’s like a few years ago, people raised a stink because a few area gas stations got a license to sell beer and wine. These people were all up in arms about how we were facing an epidemic of drunk driving. I was like, “don’t people usually drive to the liquor store to buy beer anyway?” ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fast-food-places-sell-alcohol/607024/8 "2011-12-22T02:41:17Z")
No way. What do people do after getting fast food? They drive. Not a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![heathen\_earthling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/13edae/32.png) [@heathen\_earthling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heathen_earthling)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fast-food-places-sell-alcohol/607024/9 "2011-12-22T02:48:37Z")
I’d probably try a McBeer for a dollar if I was desperate enough. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fast-food-places-sell-alcohol/607024/10 "2011-12-22T02:49:48Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > No way. What do people do after getting fast food? They drive. Not a good idea. what do people do after they go to a bar, or Buffalo Wild Wings, or dinner with cocktails? They drive. what’s the fucking difference? ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fast-food-places-sell-alcohol/607024/11 "2011-12-22T02:54:54Z")
[quote=“friedo, post:6, topic:607024”] Oh noes! Teenagers drinking! \*\*(You know 18-year-olds can be liquor-slinging _bartenders_ in most states, right?)[/\*\*QUOTE] Well, Indiana was mentioned. You have to be 21 to even touch the glasses that alcohol (including beer and wine) was served in until they’ve been washed, IIRC. When I worked in the restaurant biz up there, we had to have enough over 21 bus staff to clean tables where folks had been imbibing. Under 21 couldn’t even go into the bar room. Things may have changed a bit, but they’re still pretty uptight about liquor there. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fast-food-places-sell-alcohol/607024/12 "2011-12-22T02:55:59Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > what do people do after they go to a bar, or Buffalo Wild Wings, or dinner with cocktails? They drive. > > what’s the fucking difference? The time factor. Fast food, you’re in and out in 15-20 min. tops. Regular restaurant, an hour or two. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fast-food-places-sell-alcohol/607024/13 "2011-12-22T02:57:44Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > what do people do after they go to a bar, or Buffalo Wild Wings, or dinner with cocktails? They drive. > > what’s the fucking difference? The fact that a bar is specifically designed to keep people in for a period of time. You hang out at a bar, you don’t just get a drink to go. The entire point of fast food is that they want you out as quick as possible. It’s even in the decor. I’m against selling open alcohol in any to-go type circumstance. It’s basically an invitation to drink and drive. The only alcohol that can be purchased quickly should be closed until you get to your drinking destination. As for teenagers: remember, fast food workers are often 15 (with special license) or 16. It’s not my favorite argument against, but don’t pretend like we’re dealing with 18 year olds. The maturity gap between 15-18 is extremely large. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fast-food-places-sell-alcohol/607024/14 "2011-12-22T02:59:07Z")
Thanks guys for answering the question. There are plenty of places where folks can grab a quick bite and a pint. IMHO, we don’t need more. ---
**Author:** ![Sudden\_Kestrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Sudden\_Kestrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sudden_Kestrel)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fast-food-places-sell-alcohol/607024/15 "2011-12-22T03:05:27Z")
When I think of a psychoactive accompaniment to White Castle sliders, alcohol ain’t it. In fact, alcohol just makes them slide back up, doesn’t it? I don’t have any strong feelings one way or another, but I don’t think it would fly here in flyover land since it would disqualify a large portion of the fast-food employment pool from working in those locations. It would also mean fast-food chains would have to take on the responsibility of checking IDs and the liability involved if they screw that up, and I doubt they’d be willing to take those risks. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fast-food-places-sell-alcohol/607024/16 "2011-12-22T03:25:09Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > The fact that a bar is specifically designed to keep people in for a period of time. You hang out at a bar, you don’t just get a drink to go. The entire point of fast food is that they want you out as quick as possible. It’s even in the decor. yes, and? You (the general “you”) stay in a bar longer and drink more. > [@](#): > > I’m against selling open alcohol in any to-go type circumstance. It’s basically an invitation to drink and drive. The only alcohol that can be purchased quickly should be closed until you get to your drinking destination. show me that it’s actually a problem before you insist on banning it. > [@](#): > > As for teenagers: remember, fast food workers are often 15 (with special license) or 16. It’s not my favorite argument against, but don’t pretend like we’re dealing with 18 year olds. The maturity gap between 15-18 is extremely large. Uh-huh, sure. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fast-food-places-sell-alcohol/607024/17 "2011-12-22T03:26:10Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > Thanks guys for answering the question. There are plenty of places where folks can grab a quick bite and a pint. IMHO, we don’t need more. you need to show how it’s a problem before you try to ban it. “It’s OMG scary” isn’t good enough. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fast-food-places-sell-alcohol/607024/18 "2011-12-22T04:13:49Z")
Fast food places are often the first job of many teens. Teens have big problems finding work, and fast food is often the only place willing to hire with no experience. With the present laws separating underage people from alcohol service, the job market for teens would shrink down to damned near nothing. Fast food places are often teen hangouts. There are enough places dispensing alcohol already. IMHO, let the fast food places continue to serve unhealthy foods in vast quantities at low prices. Leave the brain pickling to other venues. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fast-food-places-sell-alcohol/607024/19 "2011-12-22T05:30:35Z")
> [@VOW](#): > > Fast food places are often the first job of many teens. Teens have big problems finding work, and fast food is often the only place willing to hire with no experience. > > With the present laws separating underage people from alcohol service, the job market for teens would shrink down to damned near nothing. > > Fast food places are often teen hangouts. > > There are enough places dispensing alcohol already. IMHO, let the fast food places continue to serve unhealthy foods in vast quantities at low prices. Leave the brain pickling to other venues. > ~VOW you need to actually show how it’s a problem before you ban it. “VOW doesn’t like it” is not sufficient. ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fast-food-places-sell-alcohol/607024/20 "2011-12-22T05:46:34Z")
I don’t think it’s a good idea. There really aren’t enough places that do it currently to point out a “problem”, but there are potential downsides that have already been mentioned. Cutting job opportinuities for teens, more potential for drinking and driving, worries about enforcement of age restrictions, etc. I don’t have to worry about it. I live in Georgia. It won’t happen here in my lifetime. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fast-food-places-sell-alcohol/607024.md?page=2)