Following a controversial incident at a Pennsylvania Primanti Brothers location, where Senator JD Vance, the 2024 Trump running mate, was temporarily barred from entering, conservatives on X are calling for a large-scale boycott of all restaurants owned by Primanti Brothers’ parent company, Authentic Restaurant Brands. This boycott would target several well-known chains.
Local lawyer Sean Logue, who witnessed the event, described the situation: “J.D. Vance’s SUV pulls up, the Secret Service enters the restaurant, and patrols the area between the SUV and the entrance.” The restaurant’s manager came outside and told Vance, “You can’t come in here.” Reports also claim that the manager threatened to call the police.
Anticipating a backlash, the restaurant issued a statement attempting to calm the situation. Primanti Brothers stated, “PRIMANTI’S PRIDES ITSELF ON BEING A STAPLE OF THE PITTSBURGH COMMUNITY AND A PROUD AMERICAN BUSINESS THAT HAS HOSTED SITTING PRESIDENTS, POLITICIANS, AND POLITICAL CANDIDATES FROM ACROSS THE SPECTRUM FOR OVER 90 YEARS.” They stressed that every customer is welcome to dine with them.
The restaurant tried to downplay the event, explaining that the campaign stop caused “some momentary confusion for our staff.” They further clarified that Vance and his team were eventually welcomed into the restaurant and engaged with guests. The manager had simply felt uneasy due to the sudden presence of Secret Service and police.
However, the apology didn’t satisfy everyone. Many people on social media criticized the restaurant, calling the apology fake and urging a boycott of the chain due to the way Senator Vance was treated.
Josh Cremeans, who shared photos and videos of the incident, also posted a screenshot of the apology with his own call for a boycott. He wrote, “Massive Boycott Called: Primanti Bros restaurant in Pittsburgh, PA refused to let JD Vance in to greet his supporters! Now we’re boycotting their parent company, Authentic Restaurant Brands, which also owns Mambo Seafood, PJ Welihan’s, and Pollo Tropical.”
In addition to Cremeans, the Liberal Lampoon pointed out that Authentic Restaurant Brands owns all of these chains and claimed that last month, when Vice President Kamala Harris visited Primanti Brothers, the restaurant cleared out real customers and replaced them with actors.
Many other voices online echoed the calls for a boycott, with one account saying, “It would be a shame if all of MAGA boycotted Primanti Brothers and the rest of their brands.” Some suggested that local restaurants would be more welcoming to JD Vance and MAGA supporters.
Others compared the incident to the Bud Light boycott, suggesting that Primanti Brothers should face similar consequences for its actions.
In the end, this controversy has escalated beyond just one restaurant, with conservatives now targeting all chains under Authentic Restaurant Brands.
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