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Parents heap praise on staff at Frankie and Benny's Gloucester restaurant for 'incredible' treatment of autistic son
Staff made the family feel "extra special"
A Dursley couple have heaped praise on "amazing" staff at Gloucester Frankie & Benny's for looking after their autistic son.
Josephine Smith-Mands, husband David and sons Alexander, 8, and Pete who has autism, 3, visited the St Oswalds Road branch on Saturday and were overwhelmed by their "natural empathy".
Staff went above and beyond for the toddler, including turning music down and timing the food to create a relaxed environment for Pete.
3-year-old Pete Mands (Image: Josephine Smith-Mands)
Dad David Mands, 44, tweeted: "@frankienbennys Gloucester staff are amazing.
"Bridgette and Mikey so helpful to my family.
"My child @I_am_pete is autistic and without asking they were on it!
"Music levels, food timing etc, all adjusted in natural empathy.
Manager Alison should be proud of her team. #customerservice."
Mum Josephine Smith-Mands has also praised the restaurant for being "really in tune" with her son's needs and has called for other restaurants to have the same training.
Mrs Smith-Mands said: "When we entered we informed Mikey the waiter that Pete was autistic and needed to sit by the door for easy access in case he went in meltdown and he went and told head waitress Bridget who attended us through service.
"She came and ensured us that music would be kept down a level and that birthday music was about to come on and was going to be loud so asked if we needed help and support with ensuring Pete was okay.
"She then ensured that Pete’s food came out before ours because he can become uneasy at waiting.
"During a slight meltdown at the table Pete knocked over his drink and Bridget went and got him another and told me not to worry about cleaning up the mess as we were there to enjoy ourselves.
"She made us feel extra special and was really in tune with the needs of our child which was incredible all staff everywhere should be trained to the same level.
"It would make the lives of families with autistic children and siblings a more enjoyable experience as not many people get how stressful little outings like this can be."
Staff at the Cheltenham branch at the Brewery Quarter have also been recognised for their "amazing" service.
Saffron Snow, from Cheltenham, replied to David's tweet: "They are the same in Cheltenham!
"I went there Saturday and they did my child’s food immediately as we are regulars and they know he can’t wait.
"Joseph has autism too, F&Bs in Cheltenham is amazing too."
Source: Restaurant praised for 'incredible' treatment of autistic boy
Parents heap praise on staff at Frankie and Benny's Gloucester restaurant for 'incredible' treatment of autistic son
Staff made the family feel "extra special"
A Dursley couple have heaped praise on "amazing" staff at Gloucester Frankie & Benny's for looking after their autistic son.
Josephine Smith-Mands, husband David and sons Alexander, 8, and Pete who has autism, 3, visited the St Oswalds Road branch on Saturday and were overwhelmed by their "natural empathy".
Staff went above and beyond for the toddler, including turning music down and timing the food to create a relaxed environment for Pete.
3-year-old Pete Mands (Image: Josephine Smith-Mands)
Dad David Mands, 44, tweeted: "@frankienbennys Gloucester staff are amazing.
"Bridgette and Mikey so helpful to my family.
"My child @I_am_pete is autistic and without asking they were on it!
"Music levels, food timing etc, all adjusted in natural empathy.
Manager Alison should be proud of her team. #customerservice."
Mum Josephine Smith-Mands has also praised the restaurant for being "really in tune" with her son's needs and has called for other restaurants to have the same training.
Mrs Smith-Mands said: "When we entered we informed Mikey the waiter that Pete was autistic and needed to sit by the door for easy access in case he went in meltdown and he went and told head waitress Bridget who attended us through service.
"She came and ensured us that music would be kept down a level and that birthday music was about to come on and was going to be loud so asked if we needed help and support with ensuring Pete was okay.
"She then ensured that Pete’s food came out before ours because he can become uneasy at waiting.
"During a slight meltdown at the table Pete knocked over his drink and Bridget went and got him another and told me not to worry about cleaning up the mess as we were there to enjoy ourselves.
"She made us feel extra special and was really in tune with the needs of our child which was incredible all staff everywhere should be trained to the same level.
"It would make the lives of families with autistic children and siblings a more enjoyable experience as not many people get how stressful little outings like this can be."
Staff at the Cheltenham branch at the Brewery Quarter have also been recognised for their "amazing" service.
Saffron Snow, from Cheltenham, replied to David's tweet: "They are the same in Cheltenham!
"I went there Saturday and they did my child’s food immediately as we are regulars and they know he can’t wait.
"Joseph has autism too, F&Bs in Cheltenham is amazing too."
Source: Restaurant praised for 'incredible' treatment of autistic boy
