Muslim Donut Franchisee Fights Pork

Owner told to serve breakfast sandwiches or lose stores
By Heather McPherson,  Newser User
Posted Aug 1, 2007 4:49 PM CDT
Muslim Donut Franchisee Fights Pork
"What is life without dignity and your beliefs?" said Elkhatib, who's status as a non-employee severely weakens his discrimination case against the pastry giant.   ((c) Jacob B tter)

The owner of two Chicago-area Dunkin' Donuts is locked in a legal dispute with the company over conflicts between his religious beliefs and his breakfast menu, the Chicago Tribune reports. A franchisee since 1979, Walid Elkhatib has never served pork products; it wasn't until 2002 that Dunkin' Donuts insisted he toe the line or lose stores.

Not an actual Dunkin' Donuts employee, Elkhatib could not sue for religious discrimination and instead alleged racial bias. Counters the company: "A Dunkin' Donuts franchisee can no more refuse to sell breakfast sandwiches based on the Muslim faith, or Arab ancestry, than a McDonald's franchisee can refuse to sell hamburgers because they are Hindu or Indian." (More Islam stories.)

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