Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Peace Deal Reached In McDonald's Standoff With Senior Citizens In Queens
By
Nell Casey
Published Jan 20, 2014
Modified Jan 20, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Nell Casey
Published Jan 20, 2014
Modified Jan 20, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The long simmering fight between a Flushing McDonald's franchise and a group of loitering senior citizens came to a head last week, with both sides refusing to back down on their respective opinions. Luckily, a peace deal was brokered this morning before more french fries flew, helped along by New York State Assemblyman Ron Kim. Yes, it took big government muscle to negotiate a treaty between a burger hawker and a group of octogenarians.
To recap, a group of elderly Korean men had been using the fast food joint as a meeting place to linger over a cup of coffee, causing frustrated franchise owners to call the cops on the men after requests for them to disperse were ignored. The community fought back, calling for a boycott of the restaurant for what it deemed to be discrimination.
Today's "McResolution" includes terms for both sides of the argument, reports Politicker. The McDonald's owner has agreed to let the men sit unmolested during slower hours, in addition to posting signs outlining rules in both Chinese and Korean and to call Kim's office in lieu of calling the cops if things get out of hand. The restaurant also agreed to help with shuttle service to and from local senior centers while the men agreed to "respect the establishment's rules."
While the new deal should help ease some of the tension, Kim believes the ordeal points to a "larger and growing social problem" in the community. "With an increasing immigrant senior community, our communities need more resources and funding to support overcrowded senior and community centers," Kim said at the event's conclusion. They've got to find an outlet to release that pent up energy.
Tagged
flushing
loitering
mcdonald's
queens
Nell Casey
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Published Oct 19, 2026
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .