ѳٴDzԲ91Ƶs Corp. agreed to at a Pennsylvania store over the weekend but said it isn91Ƶt endorsing a candidate in the U.S. presidential race.
Trump staffed the fry station at a in suburban Philadelphia on Sunday before answering questions through the drive-thru window. The restaurant was closed to the public for the Republican nominee91Ƶs visit.
In a message to employees obtained Monday by The Associated Press, ѳٴDzԲ91Ƶs said the owner-operator of the location, Derek Giacomantonio reached out after he learned of Trump91Ƶs desire to visit a Pennsylvania restaurant. ѳٴDzԲ91Ƶs agreed to the event.
91ƵUpon learning of the former president91Ƶs request, we approached it through the lens of one of our core values: we open our doors to everyone,91Ƶ the company said. 91ƵѳٴDzԲ91Ƶs does not endorse candidates for elected office and that remains true in this race for the next president. We are not red or blue 91Ƶ we are golden.91Ƶ
The Chicago burger giant said franchisees have also invited Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, and her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz, to their restaurants. The Associated Press left a message seeking comment with the Harris campaign.
ѳٴDzԲ91Ƶs said it has 91Ƶbeen a fixture of conversation this election cycle91Ƶ even though it hasn91Ƶt sought that attention. At several campaign stops and during interviews, Harris has for spending money during her college years. Trump has claimed 91Ƶ without evidence 91Ƶ that Harris is lying.
ѳٴDzԲ91Ƶs sidestepped that issue in its employee message. The company said it is proud of 91ƵHarris91Ƶs fond memories working under the arches91Ƶ and noted the often-cited figure that 1 in 8 Americans works at ѳٴDzԲ91Ƶs at some point.
91ƵWhile we and our franchisees don91Ƶt have records for all positions dating back to the early 91Ƶ80s, what makes 91Ƶ1 in 891Ƶ so powerful is the shared experience so many Americans have had,91Ƶ ѳٴDzԲ91Ƶs said.
Trump91Ƶs appearance led to some backlash on social media. Google searches for 91Ƶboycott ѳٴDzԲ91Ƶs91Ƶ briefly surged Monday morning, and some Twitter users vowed to the chain after Trump91Ƶs event.
But Lori Rosen, president of the public relations firm Rosen Group, said ѳٴDzԲ91Ƶs won91Ƶt likely see long-term damage from the event.
91ƵThe coverage and publicity alone generated from ѳٴDzԲ91Ƶs agreeing to have former President Trump work at one of their franchises already surpasses the negative chatter on social media ,91Ƶ Rosen said. 91ƵI am not sure if the American people will benefit from this publicity stunt. However, ѳٴDzԲ91Ƶs comes out ahead.91Ƶ
Bruce Newman, a professor in business ethics and marketing at DePaul University91Ƶs Driehaus College of Business, agrees.
91ƵThey look like the company that91Ƶs getting the attention of the presidential candidates, and it heightens the awareness of the brand,91Ƶ he said.
Newman added that Trump was likely trying to put a different, more casual face on his campaign, wearing a smile and an apron instead of a suit jacket.
Dee-ann Durbin, The Associated Press