50 signatures already. Here’s why I started this for my son.

We reached 50 signatures in a short time. Thank you to everyone who signed, shared, or took the time to tell me what would make an option like this worth trusting.

I recently went to a gluten-free expo with my son, who was diagnosed with celiac disease this year. Parents who’ve been through this know how much changes at once. We’ve made changes for the better, and we’re still learning. One thing I notice more now is how much planning goes into something as simple as stopping for food when we’re out driving.

For us, McDonald’s or Wendy’s would be a once-in-a-blue-moon treat. I’d love for my son to have the option to pick something off the menu and eat with us, without feeling like the odd one out again. A parent told me their then-11-year-old was “in heaven” when he got to order a gluten-free burger in Spain. As a dad, I get why that moment stayed with them.

People have raised fair questions about price and cross-contact. I’d have those same questions before ordering for my son. That’s why I’m asking McDonald’s and Wendy’s to work with celiac specialists and food safety experts, test an affordable option at a few U.S. locations, and be upfront about how meals are prepared and what they learn. The companies have the resources to train and support their staff, verify that the process works during a busy shift, and give families enough information to decide for themselves.

McDonald’s has examples to learn from in Spain and Italy. I’d like both companies to tell us what it would take to try something here. If a pilot works, other chains and neighborhood restaurants could learn from it, too. That could mean more places where a kid with celiac can just sit down and have lunch with their family.

If you’ve already signed, please consider sharing this with one person who’d understand what that would mean. Thanks for helping us get to 50.

Brian