McDonald’s in Queens Takes Unique Approach to Keep Teens in Check

A McDonald’s location in Queens has reportedly hired a “McDonald’s” to help manage rowdy teenagers who have been causing disturbances.

Claudia Zanabria, a crew member who has overcome stage 3 rectal cancer, was selected for this unusual role as the restaurant’s “toughest” staff member. She expressed, “This generation is really different… They push me and disrespect me,” reflecting on her challenging interactions with teens.

Located on Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills, the restaurant recently introduced a rule that bars minors from dining inside between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. unless accompanied by an adult.

According to police records, officers have been called to this McDonald’s 15 times this year for issues like assault and disorderly conduct. One notable incident involved a 24-year-old man who reported being slapped by a stranger just before 3 p.m. on May 21, as per the New York City Police Department.

Zanabria noted that by the time police arrive, the disruptive teens have often already left, leaving chaos behind. She started working there six months ago when disturbances were escalating.

In one particularly chaotic scene captured on video, two groups of teens clashed inside the restaurant, drawing fear from customers as violence erupted.

“They were even rude to the police,” she added, showcasing the extent of the problem. This McDonald’s is close to several public schools, including Queens Metropolitan High School, which enrolls about 2,000 students.

Since the enforcement of the new policy five months ago, groups of up to 20 teens often crowd outside while Zanabria monitors locked doors and barricades another entrance with trash cans.

She frequently steps outside to check mobile orders for hungry teens and distributes meals outdoors. If they haven’t ordered online, they are allowed to enter the store one at a time, under her watchful eye.

“They do everything to me, boys and girls, and try to get into my house. I don’t fight back, but I call the police,” she explained, highlighting the troubling dynamics.

Unsurprisingly, the new rules haven’t exactly been met with enthusiasm from the teens. “It’s gross and unnecessary,” one teenager complained while waiting for his cheeseburger in the chilly weather.

However, customers seem to appreciate the changes. Former clerk Joseph Doria, 64, shared his thoughts, stating, “I don’t want to be a victim. You never know if they’re going to throw something at you or punch you in the face.”

This particular McDonald’s isn’t alone in facing challenges related to youth behavior in high-crime areas. Earlier this year, a 14-year-old was fatally stabbed during a fight at another McDonald’s in Sunnyside, Queens, on Valentine’s Day.

At another location at Nostrand and Flatbush avenues, staff started handing out cards to customers this past February due to escalating chaos that led to the decision to also ban unaccompanied minors. ID checks, which became standard after incidents involving groups of masked teens, were already being implemented.