Ex-cons serve hot dogs at Felony Franks

A Chicago restaurateur has earned praise from the community for hiring convicted felons, but the eatery’s name — Felony Franks — strikes some as bad taste.

Jim Andrews, owner of Felony Franks, said his goal is to have a chain of the hot dog stores staffed by convicted felons and the first location is due to open later this month, WBBM-AM, Chicago, reported Friday.

A hot dog … with a ball and chain on it, and it’s under the name of Felony Franks, home of the misdemeanor wiener … Food so good it’s criminal, Andrews said, describing the sign outside of his store.

Alderman Bob Fioretti of the 2nd Ward praised Andrews for employing ex-felons but raised concerns the restaurant’s name and sign glorify crime.

Felony Franks? The home of the misdemeanor wiener? Food so good it’s criminal? You are actually in a sense elevating the life of crime here in our city and we cannot tolerate that, he said.

Andrews said he has received a lot of support from the community.

I’m trying to take a negative and turn it into a positive. And you know what? The people that will be working here will have a positive attitude. They will be taught the right way to run a business and we will work close with them so that they can better their lives, he said.