Ex-cons serve hot dogs at Felony Franks

CHICAGO, April 24 (UPI) -- 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.