Dunkin Franchisee Loses Over Refusal to Sell Pork

Walid Elkhatib, a Muslim franchisee of a Chicago Dunkin' Donuts lost a legal battle with the chain over religious objections to selling pork. According to a Dunkin' Donuts public relations manager, the jury was unanimous against Elkhatib's discrimination claims and allowing Dunkin' to not renew his franchise license.

Since he was not employee of the company, Elkhatib could not sue it under federal laws prohibiting workplace religious discrimination. So he sued under a law that bans racial and ancestry discrimination in the making of contracts.

Elkhatib, who is Arab, is "forbidden from dealing in, buying, or selling pork products, because of his race's tradition and religious practices," according to court documents.

A federal judge in Chicago ruled against Elkhatib, saying it was religious and not racial. But an appellate court allowed the case to go to trial in 2007, finding the chain was not consistent in applying rules to franchisees. -Boston Globe

Arabs can and do sell pork. It is Muslims, no matter of what race, that sometimes object to such practices.

The chain said that he could operate the store until the end of the trial. Since he has a 10-year property lease, Elkhatib plans to now operate a restaurant at the location.