As Powell resident Allen Hatch left McDonald’s on Jan. 30, he wasn’t laughing. But it wasn’t because he was asked not to bring his draft horses Onyx and Coal and hitch wagon through the drive-thru. It was because he spilled his soda while leaving the establishment.

“I need to install a cupholder on my wagon,” he said during a Tuesday interview filled with laughter.

Hatch found himself in the center of an international brouhaha after being photographed as he ordered and picked up his modest combo meal at the Powell location of the famous restaurant. Hatch was good humored about the event, even after being told “we’re not doing this again,” by an employee speaking through the first drive-thru window.

After pictures of him and his team were published in the Tribune, Cowboy State Daily called Hatch to find out more about the event. The online news site then published the story and it went viral, as customers were angered and other businesses sprang into action, inviting Hatch to bring his team to their establishments. Hatch’s phone was ringing off the wall and more than 1,000 people commented on the stories.

“What? I’ve seen people take their horses through drive-thru windows a lot. Who peed in this manager’s cheerios?” asked Karissa Kercheski.

Others said they would boycott the location or wanted to start an organized protest.

“I think everyone in Powell that has a horse and buggy should get together and hit that McDonald’s drive thru. Where does it say automobiles only?” said Melissa Calhoon on Cowboy State Daily’s Facebook post.

The Tribune has photographed many photos of folks riding a horse through the drive-thru, often students during FFA week. The most famous drive-thru photo was taken in 2016 by Tribune General Manager Toby Bonner, featuring Joel Perez, 15 and Trajen Collins, 13, along with their pet goat, named Goat.

In 2020, the Tribune caught Caden Gines, Mackenzie Cheney, Wyatt Moulton and Lannon Brazelton ordering $25 worth of burgers and fries in the drive-thru. They were also asked not to bring their horses through the line in the future, yet, nobody wanted to start a boycott after the “no livestock” policy was mentioned prominently in the story.

Restrictions in the drive-thru seem to be random, depending on the location of the fast food restaurant. A search of the internet finds many photos and stories of McDonald’s enthusiasts riding through on horses. Some were allowed to make their orders and were treated as special guests; others were not allowed to order their food without being in a “proper vehicle.”

Hatch said he has no ill-feelings toward McDonald’s, despite the spicy language he received initially, but he does think their rule to not allow livestock through the drive-thru in this agricultural town is a bit silly.

“There should be a sign if they don’t want livestock in the drive-thru,” he said.

After the story went viral, Hatch said he was contacted by McDonald’s marketing and public relations team lead Casey Taggart and told not only was he welcome at the restaurant, the next “single” meal would be on them. They also said the manager on duty on Jan. 30 was new and would receive more training.

Hatch was happy to receive the apology, but didn’t really think it was necessary.

“My quality of life didn’t change one way or the other,” he said, adding he would happily go back to the Powell Golden Arches and it was great to receive “widespread support” from those contacting him.