Restaurant issues apology after denying service to black child over his clothes - as white boy wearing similar outfit dines with family

Atlas Restaurant Group - which has previously faced criticism for its dress code - says it's 'sickened' by incident captured on video

A restaurant group has issued an apology and fired the manager seen on video denying service to a black mother and her son due to his attire, just after a similarly-dressed white boy dined with his family.

Atlas Restaurant Group said it was “sickened” by the “incredibly disturbing incident that occurred in one of our restaurants” in Baltimore, Maryland.

Marcia Grant started recording the video at Ouzo Bay after she was told her son would not be served because he was wearing athletic attire.

Meanwhile, a white child about the same age as Ms Grant’s son, who is nine-years-old, could be seen in the video wearing a nearly-identical combination of athletic clothing.

“That white kid out there … he’s here with his tennis shoes on, and his athletic shirt,” Ms Grant can be heard saying in the video as she points to the white family, who just appeared to be finishing their meal. “You’re telling me that little boy who just ate here does not have on an athletic shirt?”

The confrontation goes on for another minute, as the manager, a white employee who has not been identified, continues to state that Ms Grant and her son will not be served.

“Unfortunately, we do have a dress code,” he said, asking if Ms Grant and her son lived close enough to the restaurant to leave and change into “nonathletic dress shorts”.

Ms Grant posted the video to Facebook on Monday, writing in a caption: “I have faced racism time and time again, but it’s hard AF, when you have to see your child (9yo) upset because he knows he’s being treated different that a white child!!!"

In a public statement posted to social media, Atlas Restaurant Group responded by confirming the manager seen on the video had been “placed on indefinite leave” and added: “We sincerely apologise to Marcia Grant, her son and everyone impacted by this painful incident.”

“This difficult situation does not represent who or what Atlas Restaurant Group stands for,” the statement continued. “While dress codes across Atlas properties are the result of ongoing input from customers, in no way are they intended to be discriminatory.”

The restaurant group has faced previous controversy over its dress codes, as well as accusations from people of colour who claimed they were also denied service at establishments owned by the company.