Bob CollinsJudging by the tweets from Papa John’s Pizza, a lot of people boycotted the company after its CEO took exception to the NFL players protest for racial equity.
“We are certainly disappointed that NFL and its leadership did not resolve the ongoing situation to the satisfaction of all parties this should have been nipped in the bud a year and a half ago,” John Schnatter, the CEO, said in a conference call explaining disappointing earnings a few weeks ago.
Schnatter is a supporter of President Donald Trump and people who support the goals of the NFL players took it out on the pizza chain.
So in tweets last evening, the company said Schnatter didn’t mean what people thought he meant.
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 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
To the company’s credit, the brand’s social media manager — apparently the chief marketing officer in this case — is engaging with the now-former customers on the non-apology apology, like why it took so long to issue a “clarification.”
When it became obvious our position wasn’t clear we decided to act. Sorry for the delay.
— Papa John's Pizza (@PapaJohns) November 15, 2017
“We posted this today because it became obvious over the last week people didn’t understand our position,” the company said. “We should have followed our gut from the beginning but followed advice not to speak up — it’s time we are clear.”
It didn’t say who offered the advice to stay silent while the company’s brand value evaporated. The company’s stock also dropped 13 percent.
This…. To Papa John's…Real talk pic.twitter.com/vRjUUGlwyD
— Hayden Jamal (@HaydenJamal_) November 15, 2017
