A dispute between a Korean American customer and a Santa Clara Denny’s restaurant that became public last week has moved closer to resolution.
The parties are waiting for the Department of Fair Housing and Employment to schedule a mediation meeting, said attorney Richard Konda of the San José-based Asian Law Alliance (ALA). Konda is representing Andrew Koh, a Denny’s patron who alleges that the restaurant discriminated against a group of Korean American customers last April.
Last week, the ALA held a press conference in front of the restaurant “to draw attention” to what Konda said was Denny’s “refusal to meet for a mediation” about the restaurant’s alleged “discriminatory conduct.”
“Denny’s is committed to providing a welcoming environment for all our guests,” said Denny’s Senior VP Hadas Streit in a written statement.
“Denny’s has not refused a meeting with Mr. Koh nor is the Denny’s franchise in Santa Clara aware of a request by the Department of Fair Employment and Housing to meet with Mr. Koh before today. Denny’s previously reached out to Mr. Koh in April and would be happy to meet with him and the DFEH to discuss the matter.”
Konda said he was pleased that Denny’s is willing to sit down and discuss the incident.
On Tuesday, Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor told KCBS radio that she had directed City Manager Deanna Santana to investigate the complaint.
