As protests over the death of George Floyd spread across the country this weekend, many restaurants spoke up in support of the movement. Chains as large as McDonald’s weighed in, along with countless independents that expressed solidarity despite sustaining damage amid the unrest.
In a message to the McDonald’s system Saturday, the chain’s U.S. President Joe Erlinger said he was “appalled by recent events in Louisville, Georgia, New York and Minneapolis.”
He said the chain will provide opportunities to discuss the issues and its “commitment to diversity and inclusion.”
In the note, posted on LinkedIn, he acknowledged that the chain—the largest in the U.S.—has historically been silent on issues that don’t directly relate to its business. But “since stepping into this role, I have assured you that I would communicate openly and transparently because I believe that it is critical to address issues that are affecting us all.”
In an email to members, the McDonald’s National Owners Association called for justice in the “horrific death of George Floyd” and expressed support for the National Black McDonald’s Owners Association.
“McDonald’s can show America the way,” the email said. “We have literally been built on diversity and have the stories to prove it.”
Several small and midsized chains also voiced support:
&pizza said it will offer employees paid time off for activism.
For those in this pain. For those in this fight. We stand with the Black Community against racial hate and injustice.
— &pizza (@andpizza) May 31, 2020
In memory of George Floyd & in UNITY always.
From this day forward, @andpizza will be giving its employees paid time off for activism. pic.twitter.com/j6Capnl37t
Fatburger, which was founded by Lovie Yancey, a black woman, reiterated its commitment to those roots.
#BlackLivesMatterpic.twitter.com/rGHP9fPFdT
— FATBURGER (@Fatburger) June 1, 2020
Smoothie chain Jamba encouraged its followers to sign a petition for Justice for George Floyd.
We stand with you today and will always be a champion for diversity and inclusion in our stores and our communities. https://t.co/dkrga3pJG3pic.twitter.com/ksDuwpdrIy
— Jamba (@JambaJuice) June 1, 2020
Nick Bayer, CEO and founder of Saxbys Coffee, wrote on LinkedIn that the East Coast chain was “ALL IN on the fight for equality and equity for all.” The post was accompanied with a photo of a Saxbys location that had apparently been damaged in the protests.
Sweetgreen, Shake Shack and Zoes Kitchen were among other chains that tweeted support and resources.
Meanwhile, many independents found themselves caught in the fray as marchers flooded central business districts. Some expressed support nonetheless:
Los Angeles mainstay Canter’s Deli tweeted that it was offering free bottled water for protesters.
Canter’s believes that black lives matter.
— canter's deli (@cantersdeli) May 30, 2020
In support of the Black Lives Matter movement, we are putting out free bottles of water for protestors.
Please stay safe.
Hawk’s Bar & Grill, located near the site of weekend protests in Madison, Wis., wrote: “Our property is replaceable. Black lives aren’t.”
Dan Simons, co-owner of Founding Farmers in Washington, D.C., tweeted that one of its restaurants had windows broken Saturday night, but that he and his team “stand firmly with the message of the protest.”
Yes, we had some windows broken @FoundingFarmers on Penn Ave last night. Most important, none of our team was injured. Equally important, my team & I stand firmly with the message of the protest. If America's leaders (and citizens) listened to @Kaepernick7 when he peacefully
— Dan Simons (@DanSimonsSays) May 31, 2020
A post from Minneapolis restaurant Gandhi Mahal went viral Friday after the owner said “Let my building burn. Justice needs to be served.”
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