Primanti Bros. may have initially hoped that the boycott would blow over like a summer storm, but that storm quickly turned into a hurricane of lost revenue. The chain, which has long been a staple in Pittsburgh and beyond, saw its sales plummet as angry patrons stayed away in droves.
Within a matter of weeks, the financial toll became clear: Primanti Bros. had lost a staggering $50 million in revenue, with no end to the boycott in sight. The once-crowded dining rooms now sit half-empty, and the lines that used to stretch out the door are gone.
“I’ve been coming here for 30 years, and I can’t believe what it’s come to,” said one disappointed customer. “It’s just sad. I loved this place, but I can’t support it anymore.”
But the financial losses didn’t stop there. Major sponsors who once proudly supported the restaurant began to distance themselves from the controversy. By the end of the month, 10 of Primanti Bros.’ biggest sponsors had pulled out, cutting ties with the restaurant chain in a bid to avoid the fallout.
Some of the biggest names in food and beverage, including Iron City Beer and Heinz, have severed their relationships with Primanti Bros., leaving the restaurant scrambling to find new partners. One by one, these companies released statements that boiled down to the same message: “We didn’t sign up for this.”
“We’re a brand that focuses on bringing people together, not dividing them,” said a spokesperson for one of the departing sponsors. “Given the current climate surrounding Primanti Bros., we feel it’s best to end our partnership at this time.”
Others were less diplomatic, with one sponsor bluntly stating, “We can’t afford to be associated with any company caught up in a political firestorm, no matter how good their sandwiches are.”
