Primanti Bros., a well-known sandwich chain, has faced a significant financial setback after a controversial call to boycott its stores made by J.D. Vance, a prominent figure in the political sphere. The chain, which had been a staple of Pittsburgh’s culinary scene for decades, lost several key sponsors and was forced to close many of its branches in the aftermath of the boycott.

Vance, who rose to political prominence following his book Hillbilly Elegy, made the boycott call in response to what he described as the company’s “anti-conservative” stance. The controversy erupted when Primanti Bros. allegedly made political donations that some of Vance’s supporters considered to be at odds with their values. In a public statement, Vance accused the restaurant chain of supporting causes and candidates that he deemed to be hostile to traditional American values.

In the wake of Vance’s call to action, several of Primanti Bros.’ corporate partners and sponsors severed their ties with the brand, citing the political fallout. This has led to a significant drop in revenue, as the company lost both financial support and a segment of its customer base. Furthermore, many of its branches, particularly those located in more conservative areas, saw a sharp decline in foot traffic, prompting the company to close several of them.

Primanti Bros. has yet to comment directly on the boycott, but sources close to the company suggest that the chain is considering reassessing its marketing and public relations strategies in order to recover from the crisis. While some industry experts speculate that the company may eventually be able to bounce back, the long-term damage to its brand reputation remains uncertain. The incident has highlighted the growing intersection of politics and consumer behavior, with more companies finding themselves caught in the crossfire of polarized political discourse.

As of now, Primanti Bros. is facing an uphill battle to regain the trust of both its customers and its partners. It remains to be seen whether the chain can overcome the fallout from Vance’s boycott call and emerge stronger or if this will mark the end of an era for the once-beloved Pittsburgh institution.