Unfortunately, the damage had already been done. The public wasn’t in the mood for apologies, and many saw the company’s statements as too little, too late. “A statement isn’t going to fix this,” tweeted one disgruntled customer. “You can’t just ignore half your customer base and then expect everything to go back to normal.”
Even an attempt by Primanti Bros. to host a “Free Sandwich Day” for all customers backfired when only a handful of people showed up, many of them reportedly unaware of the boycott and just there for the free food.
With nearly $20 million in losses and a public relations disaster on their hands, the future of Primanti Bros. looks as uncertain as ever. Some insiders have suggested that the chain may be forced to close several locations or, at the very least, undergo a major rebranding effort in an attempt to win back customers.
Others believe that Primanti Bros. may never recover from the boycott, with some speculating that the chain could be bought out by a larger corporation looking to salvage what’s left of the once-iconic brand. Rumors have even swirled that fast food giant Chick-fil-A is considering a buyout, though nothing has been confirmed.
