Papa John’s Pizza backtracked on its stand and issued an apology for being “divisive” with its recent comments about the NFL, but that message wasn’t for everybody.
The pizza company earlier this month inserted itself into the political debate over protesting players who would not stand during the national anthem as CEO John Schnatter blamed the National Football League for Papa John’s declining sales.
“The NFL has hurt us,” Schnatter had said, criticizing the way NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has handled the issue with players. “This should have been nipped in the bud a year and a half ago.”
As an advertising sponsor of the NFL and individual teams, Papa John’s claimed its slump in sales was due in large part to the backlash against the NFL as it faces declining ratings and lower ticket sales in the wake of protests that were sparked last year after San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem and inspired other players to do the same.
Far-right groups, who viewed the NFL protests as part of an “anti-white agenda,” cheered on the pizza company’s sentiment declaring Papa John’s the “official pizza of the alt right.”
But Papa John’s quickly sought to distance itself from the political far-right movement, condemning “racism in all forms and any and all hate groups that support it.”
Papa John’s stood up to the NFL, now they are standing up to white supremacists https://t.co/GAefvrq7qa pic.twitter.com/1L7MlanEnI
— Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) November 7, 2017
Issuing several tweets on Tuesday, the company tried to clear the air and apologize to anyone offended. Anyone, that is, except neo-Nazis, who received a different kind of message.
The statements made on our earnings call were describing the factors that impact our business and we sincerely apologize to anyone that thought they were divisive. That definitely was not our intention. (1/3)
— Papa John’s Pizza (@PapaJohns) November 15, 2017
We believe in the right to protest inequality and support the players’ movement to create a new platform for change. We also believe together, as Americans, we should honor our anthem. There is a way to do both. (2/3)
— Papa John’s Pizza (@PapaJohns) November 15, 2017
We will work with the players and league to find a positive way forward. Open to ideas from all. Except neo-nazis — ?those guys. (3/3)
— Papa John’s Pizza (@PapaJohns) November 15, 2017
Not surprisingly, the apology was not a welcome response as many called the company out for backing down after taking a vocal stand. It seems Papa John’s made things worse for itself as angry Twitter users reminded them to “stick to selling pizzas.”
I hate when people or entities take a good, honorable stand (like Papa Johns did a few weeks ago), and then chicken out and walk it back.
— NIKO, I’m with Trump (@NikoTheFarmer) November 15, 2017
You don’t need to “work with” them. They want to protest. They don’t need your permission or to compromise to benefit you.
— rachel kiley (@rachelkiley) November 15, 2017
I don’t know why I expected a good apology from a place that makes such abysmal pizza. https://t.co/6pgL2rlLtV
— Hanna Brooks Olsen (@mshannabrooks) November 15, 2017
Better ingredients, fewer Nazis.
Papa John’s. https://t.co/GNK7nVZPYk
— John Hendrickson (@JohnGHendy) November 15, 2017
WE MUST ORDER LOTS AND LOTS OF PIZZAS FROM PAPA JOHN’S AND THEN SMASH THEM TO EXPRESS OUR OUTRAGE!!
— Ben Adlin (@badlin) November 15, 2017
Oh no! They’re dead in the water! They are finished! #PapaJohns is like a guy who gets drunk & insults his wife at a dinner party… then realizes they have to go home together!#2latepapajohns #2latepapa #racismneverwins
— Greg King (@gregorykingjr) November 15, 2017
Your pr staff could not come off more insincere. What a total screw up. You should’ve held your ground. How disappointing.
— OhBtw (@BtwThought) November 15, 2017
You and the NFL committed corporate suicide when you decided to get involved in politics. And if you both go under, it’s your own fault. Politics should not pervade every aspect of Americans lives. I’ll never eat your pizza again, no matter what you decide.
— ChairmanMeow (@RealChairmanMeo) November 15, 2017
Unfortunately, your words hold little weight. Your actions have provided more than enough reason to never order your product again. Hopefully, one day you will realize that its not always about you.
— Reggie Harris (@Deadheart1121) November 15, 2017
Here’s a positive way forward: mind your own business and stick to selling pizzas. In meantime, boycotting @PapaJohns.
— Alan Ladwig (@SpaceArtAl) November 15, 2017
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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