In the most recent development in the Primanti Bros. controversy, the well-known sandwich company based in Pittsburgh has lost three major sponsors in addition to customers as a result of its widely reported denial to allow Republican vice presidential contender J.D.
Vance to visit one of its locations. Following Kamala Harris’s private event, what started out as a little altercation involving a politician and a well-known sandwich has turned into a full-blown corporate collapse, with sponsors fleeing the scene more quickly than patrons were leaving.
What should have been a low-key campaign trip was when it all began. Riding the tide of Trump’s endorsement, J.D. Vance visited Primanti Bros.’ North Versailles location to meet with supporters, partake in some of the chain’s most famous sandwiches, and take some pictures. However, a manager allegedly told Vance, “This is not a campaign stop, and J.D.’s not allowed in,” as he attempted to enter the restaurant.
One could only characterize what transpired next as a political and culinary disaster. Arriving at the door unhinged, Vance was compelled to meet his followers in the parking lot, an inconspicuous venue for what should have been a cordial local gathering. Social media went crazy, despite the fact that he handled it gracefully, paying for everyone’s meals and tipping the workers. Tweets were made, videos appeared, and the hashtag #BoycottPrimanti was created.
The event sparked fury among Trump backers, many of whom were already angry with the discovery that Kamala Harris had been invited there only a few weeks prior. For a private occasion, Harris and her spouse, Doug Emhoff, reportedly waltzed into the restaurant and cleared out paying patrons in favor of what some claimed to be “staged patrons.” That was all that was necessary for the bread to break.
Three of Primanti Bros.’s main sponsors swiftly severed ties with the chain, putting the company in even more hot water as the boycott quickly gained traction on social media. And we’re not just talking about casual alliances either; these are businesses that have long associated their names with the primanti sandwich’s cultural appeal in an effort to capitalize on its notoriety in the area. Those coattails have now been chopped off without ceremony.
The company that supplies the golden, crispy fries that are tenderly nestled between the bread of each Primanti sandwich was the first to go: French Fry Fanatics. “As a brand committed to unity through the love of fries, we cannot endorse any establishment that alienates political figures, regardless of their affiliations,” said French Fry Fanatics, a longtime partner, in a social media statement. We are terminating our sponsorship agreement with Primanti Bros. with immediate effect.
It appears that the political drama has worn even on the fries. You know you’ve reached your lowest moment when your fries disappear, as one astute social media user observed.
Heinz, the kingpin of ketchup and a native of Pittsburgh, was the next to go. After years of serving as Primanti Bros.’ official ketchup, Heinz issued a carefully worded statement saying, “Heinz believes in bringing people together, not dividing them.” Although we have always been proud of our Pittsburgh heritage, given the current events, we must respectfully cease our association with Primanti Bros.
This was Pittsburgh’s version of a hometown sports club losing its best player. Losing Heinz as a sponsor was a smack in the face to the city’s identity, more than just a business blow. Imagine the heartache that would ensue if customers were forced to use off-brand ketchup in the future.
The choice by Iron City Beer to cut connections with the sandwich restaurant, however, might have been the most agonizing setback for Primanti Bros. For many years, the renowned Pittsburgh beer brewery had been a sponsor. A cool Iron City was the perfect match for a Primanti sandwich. However, loyalty has its limitations, and Iron City Beer was the third and last sponsor to leave after the J.D. Vance incident.
Iron City released a statement saying, “We stand for Pittsburgh values—hard work, community, and inclusivity.” “We have to break up, unfortunately, considering the recent controversy involving Primanti Bros. We intend to maintain our current level of client service by forming new local alliances.
For a relationship that had lasted so long, hearing the word “part ways” was very hurtful. What else could work as a problem solver if beer doesn’t?
Primanti Bros. is still in full damage control mode because the boycott is still in effect and three major sponsors have pulled out. The corporation has issued numerous comments saying that the incident with J.D. Vance was a misunderstanding in a frantic bid to save its reputation.
“We’ve always prided ourselves on welcoming patrons from all walks of life, and we regret any confusion that may have occurred during Senator Vance’s visit,” the company stated in their most recent letter. Our goal is to make sure that all upcoming campaign stops will have our crew ready.
These claims, though, appear to be falling flat, as the majority of social media users accuse the business of trying to appease both parties. “Too little, too late,” one person commented. “You cannot decline to serve a prominent political figure and then claim that there was a misunderstanding. Take ownership of it or risk losing clients. It appears that they went with the latter.
Additionally, no one is buying their attempt to characterize the closing of outlets and the loss of sponsors as a “temporary setback.” “No beer, no ketchup, and no fries? Sounds like a never-ending issue to me,” one witty tweet stated.
Three significant sponsors have left Primanti Bros., leaving them with an unclear future. Caught between a ruined reputation that could take years to repair and a boycott that shows no signs of abating, the once-thriving sandwich empire finds itself in a vulnerable position.
According to experts, the sandwich chain would soon have to make some difficult choices. There are already a lot of rumors circulating around prospective rebranding, store closures, and layoffs to disassociate the business from the political impact. According to some sources, Primanti Bros. might even start pursuing new, less contentious sponsors in an attempt to stop the financial hemorrhage.
However, the damage is already done for a lot of devoted followers. One regular patron remarked, “Primanti used to be about sandwiches, not politics.” These days, I can’t even eat a sandwich without being distracted by the drama. Perhaps it’s time to locate a different place for lunch.
Ultimately, the J.D. Vance-Primanti Bros. controversy is just another illustration of what occurs when politics and the real world collide. There was a time when you could walk into a restaurant, eat a huge lunch, and not have to worry about the institution supporting one political candidate over another. But it appears like such times are in the past.
One thing is certain, though, as Primanti Bros. struggles to deal with the loss of both sponsors and clients: the days of preparing sandwiches in an impartial manner are gone. It appears that your lunch order is now a political statement, regardless of whether you support team Harris or team Vance. And with that, we bid farewell to the unassuming, lowly sandwich.
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