Popular BBQ Joint Bans Professional Spot-Holders From Long Lines

If there’s a long line somewhere, there’s probably someone willing to hold a place for you in that line — for a price. But one Texas restaurant is tired of seeing people lined up outside who are only there to make a buck.

Eater reports that the owners of Franklin Barbecue in Austin, which had already banned individuals from claiming a spot for an entire group, has now taken the extra step of banning pro place-keepers from waiting around for paying customers who don’t feel like standing in line.

“We owe it to the rest of our faithful customers to not allow the distraction,” explain the owners. “We prefer to serve our customers in house, and not to have a second party representing our food and brand.”

Earlier this year, the restaurant made headlines after a 13-year-old entrepreneur started selling “BBQ Fast Passes” to clients who paid him and others to endure the long lines outside of Franklin.

In June, the restaurant stopped allowing individual line-waiters from holding places for large groups. The Fast Pass kid continued to take clients, but said he had to regularly turn down offers from groups of nine or ten people.

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