It’s not a job Eric Ashford envies.

Ashford, the owner of Greenville’s Shoney’s, said he can’t image the stress that comes along with serving in law enforcement.

That’s why Ashford was happy to learn that Shoney’s would be offering a free meal to law enforcement officers on Wednesday.

“When those guys leave for work in the morning, they don’t know if they are coming home at the end of the day,” Ashford said. “Their families don’t know if they will see them again. This something we can do to show them that we care about them and appreciate them serving our community. This is really just a small gesture to say thanks.”

The gesture was the brainchild of Shoney’s CEO and Chairman David Davoudpour. It was unanimously approved system-wide by Shoney’s franchise partners.

“America’s men and women in blue need to hear thank you in a tangible and heartfelt way,” said Davoudpour. “Shoney’s opens its doors every day so that families can enjoy fresh quality food, and friendly service for an incredible value, but it is never lost on us that none of that happens without our men and women of law enforcement across this great country of ours who make our communities safe. We want to thank them and we salute them with a free meal on the house. If you’re a police officer in your hometown or are traveling to place where Shoney’s does business, please know you are welcome here. I say ‘Let’s Eat’ – for free.”

Ashford said he’s proud to be a part of a company that would make such a gesture.

“I think it’s great,” he said. “It shows that we support our law enforcement and that we respect the job that they do. It’s a tough job. It’s a dangerous job. This is something we can do to show them we care, especially in light of the events of the last month. We want to make sure the guys out there doing a good job know that we appreciate them.”

Officers are invited to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner for free Wednesday.

There is a limit of one free meal per member of the law enforcement community.

Ashford said in order to receive the free meal officers need only present their badge.

The offer is valid for dine-in only.