Recently, Trump supporters have called for a boycott against Authentic Restaurant Brands, the parent company of the Pittsburgh-based Primanti brothers, after the restaurant snubbed Republican Vice Presidential Candidate JD Vance. During a campaign stop in Pennsylvania, Vance attempted to stop at Primanti Brothers, however, the manager of the establishment refused to let him in the restaurant.
As the Ohio Senator was traveling through North Versailles, Pennsylvania, Vance had the idea to stop at the restaurant and interact with a group of supporters and the restaurant staff. According to eyewitness reports, Vance was told that the location was “not a campaign stop” and that “JD’s not allowed in.” Furthermore, the restaurant manager reported threatened to call the police if Vance entered the building.
Local attorney Sean Logue who witnessed the incident, recounted, “J.D. Vance’s SUV pulls up, Secret Service comes into the restaurant, Secret Service guards the area between the SUV and the entrance to the restaurant. J.D. Vance, he gets out, and then the manager runs out and yells at him and says, you can’t come in here.”
Reports indicate that upon being denied entry, Vance sent staffers into the restaurant to collect the contact information of his supporters whom he was unable to meet with. The GOP senator also paid for the food of all the patrons in the restaurant while tipping the staff, allegedly writing, “no tax on tips if you vote for Trump” on the receipt.
In response to how the restaurant treated Vance, conservative on social media have called for a boycott against the parent company of Primanti Brothers, Authentic Restaurant Brands. One person wrote on social media, “Primanti Brothers is owned by Authentic Restaurant Brands. Last month Primanti Brothers kicked out all their patrons and brought in paid actors when Kamala Harris was visiting their restaurant. Today, Primanti Brothers stopped JD Vance from entering their establishment after the Trump Vance campaign bought all the patrons food and drinks.”
They continued, “Other brands owned by Authentic Restaurant Brands is Pollo Tropical, PJ Welihan’s and Mambo Seafood. Here is the local store information that blocked JD Vance from entering. It would be a shame if all of MAGA boycotted Primanti Brothers and the rest of their brands. I’m sure there are many locally owned restaurants that would appreciate the business from MAGA and JD Vance.”
Following the controversy, the restaurant attempted to walk back the incident. “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,” according to a statement from the restaurant.
Trying to explain the situation, the restaurant said, “Without any advance notice, today’s campaign stop caused some momentary confusion for our staff. However, Senator Vance and his team were welcomed into our restaurant shortly after and engaged with our guests inside and on the property.” The restaurant continued, “Senator Vance’s supportive comments that our manager got a little nervous given the secret service, police and crowd accurately reflect the nature of what occurred, but we are glad that it was resolved quickly.”
Watch Vance shut down a reporter below:
