Kung Fu Saloons has settled a discrimination complaint by the U.S. Justice Department, agreeing to hang signs welcoming everyone to its bars regardless of race, color or national origin.
It also has agreed to train employees not to discriminate, and must hire an outside company to test its admission procedure.
The extraordinary moves are part of a consent decree to settle allegations the bar discriminated against African-American and Asian customers.
Kung Fu operates on Routh Street in Dallas and has separate locations in Houston and Austin.
The Justice Department complaint alleged that the bars denied blacks and Asians entry based on dress code when whites who were dressed the same were admitted or simply claimed the the establishment was full.
Kung Fu denied it discriminated, but agreed to the conditions to avoid a trial.
The government investigation came after Dallas resident DeAndre Upshaw, who is black, claimed he was discriminated against when a bouncer denied him entry.
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Upshaw, a social media activist, organized protests against Kung Fu.
Reached Tuesday, Shaw said he was pleased with the agreement with the Justice Department.
āIām very pleased that they were able to formally bring to light what many of us have been saying about Kung Fu Saloon for years ā that it has denied people entry based on the color of their skin,ā he said. āI believe this is a great day for Dallas as we strive to be an inclusive city, regardless of your ethnic background.ā
At the time, Kung Fu Saloons issued a statement saying its customers are diverse and that its policy was not to discriminate against anyone.
Kung Fu Saloon Complaint (Text)
Kung Fu Saloon Consent Decree (Text)
