KFC refuses to serve 13-year-old girls because of the anti-social behaviour of OTHER children
The teen girls were out shopping when they were refused service
A DAD has slammed KFC after his teen daughter and her friend were refused service on a birthday day out - because of the behaviour of OTHER youngsters.
Erin Turnbull and her pal Emma Begbie, who are both 13, had gone on a shopping trip in Edinburgh when they stopped off at a fast food chain in the city centre.
But the pair were shocked when they got to the front of the queue and were refused service.
The girls, who go to school together, were forced to go to another restaurant.
KFC bosses have now revealed they were refused service at the store following recent "antisocial behaviour relating to unaccompanied young people";.
Erin said: "She said to us, 'we can't serve you because you are under the age of 18' and then said we needed adult supervision.
"KFC is my favourite chicken shop and I didn't expect this. I've been in there before - it's put me off going back again.
"I decided to order because Emma is a bit shyer than I am - all I wanted was a popcorn chicken meal.
"I was out spending my birthday money and it ruined my day."
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The girls left KFC and then contacted their parents, before going to McDonald's instead.
Bosses have banned children under 18 from certain premises unless under adult supervision in response to a spate of anti-social behaviour caused by unaccompanied young people.
But Erin's father, Mark Turnbull, 40, has been left angered by the new restrictions.
He said: "That's only the second or third time Erin has been in town alone with her friend.
"They aren't very confident yet, and one of the reasons you let your child go into town alone is to build their confidence gradually.
"Erin and Emma were both left upset by this, and I just wish I'd been there to witness it. I just couldn't believe it when they told me."
Last year the McDonald's in the Corstorphine area of Edinburgh was forced to hire bouncers after staff were continuously hassled by youths.
A spokeswoman for KFC said: "We are sorry to hear about Erin's experience but the restaurant team have been dealing with antisocial behaviour relating to unaccompanied young people recently, which has led them to the restrictions.
"We are working with the police and local council on how to best manage this and, in the meantime, customers under 18 are welcome to visit our Princes Mall shopping centre restaurant just across the road."
A spokesman for Police Scotland said: "We have a dedicated operation in place to tackle antisocial behaviour in the city centre.
"Operation Cerimon was set up to combat these issues at the east end of Princes Street. We are continuing to work closely with our partners, including Edinburgh City Council and local businesses.
"We are also working alongside a local youth cafe, called 6vt, to help engage with young people."
An Edinburgh council spokeswoman added: "We will continue to work closely with Police Scotland on all antisocial behaviour issues across the city to ensure that Edinburgh remains a safe place for its residents and visitors."
Other branches of McDonald's and KFC in England have also recently banned under-18s from eating inside because of anti-social behaviour.
It comes after a fight broke out between 20 teenagers near the Meir Park area of Stoke-on-Trent a few weeks ago.
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