Florida Governor Candidate Says Waffle House Banned Campaign

James Fishback claims Waffle House revoked permission for him to visit all locations in the state.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Florida governor candidate James Fishback says his campaign was banned from Waffle House restaurants across the state after the company initially gave him permission to visit every location to connect with voters. Fishback had planned to visit Waffle Houses statewide, but the company later revoked that permission, according to the candidate.

Why it matters

The dispute between Fishback's campaign and Waffle House highlights the challenges candidates can face in trying to reach voters in non-traditional ways, as well as the potential risks of making controversial statements or facing allegations of inappropriate behavior while on the campaign trail.

The details

Fishback, a Republican candidate for Florida governor, had announced in January that he would visit every Waffle House in the state to 'meet voters where they are.' He said Waffle House Corporate had given him permission to do so, but that the company later 'abruptly revoked' that permission and 'criminally trespassed' his campaign from all Florida Waffle House locations.

  • In January, Fishback announced his plan to visit every Waffle House in Florida.
  • Three weeks ago, Waffle House gave Fishback's campaign permission to visit their restaurants.
  • On March 5, 2026, Waffle House revoked that permission.

The players

James Fishback

The Republican candidate for Florida governor who says Waffle House banned his campaign from their restaurants.

Waffle House

The popular restaurant chain that initially gave Fishback's campaign permission to visit their locations, but later revoked that permission.

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What they’re saying

“In January, I announced on The Tucker Carlson Show that I would visit every Waffle House in Florida to meet voters where they are. I was grateful that Waffle House Corporate gave us permission to do exactly that.”

— James Fishback, Florida Governor Candidate (X)

“This morning, Waffle House abruptly revoked our permission, and criminally trespassed us from all of their Florida locations. I am disappointed in Waffle House's decision, especially since they had given us explicit permission to visit their restaurants just 3 weeks ago.”

— James Fishback, Florida Governor Candidate (X)

What’s next

It is unclear if Fishback will take any further legal action against Waffle House over the ban.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the challenges candidates can face in trying to connect with voters in unconventional ways, as well as the potential risks of making controversial statements or facing allegations of inappropriate behavior while on the campaign trail.