Franchising
Wendy's bears brunt of social media slam around franchisee's Trump donations
June 3, 2020
A large donation to President Donald Trump's reelection PAC made by a franchisee of hundreds of U.S. Wendy's, Taco Bells and Pizza Huts has triggered a social media public shaming of Wendy's. Under the hashtag, #WendysIsOverParty, thousands of Twitter and Facebook users are expressing their distaste for not just the contribution to the campaign but for Wendy's. The donor, however, is James Bodenstadt, the CEO of Muys Cos., a franchise, not the brand's parent company. Taco Bell and Pizza Hut, which are owned by YUM Brands, have received some attention as well, but it appears Wendy's it taking the brunt.
Bodenstedt, the first fast-food executive to advise the president on how to help restaurateurs recover from the pandemic, contributed more than $400,000 to Trump's political action committee, according to a report first made public by Business Insider last month.
As social media followers continued to comment on Twitter, a follower on Facebook began castigating all of the brands that Bodenstadt's company owns through franchising, including this video montage of the manipulated brand logos put together and published on Facebook by one person.
wendy liked to clap back so i'm excited to see how they're gonna clap back at being cancelled #WendysIsOverParty pic.twitter.com/ENkI18T8UK
— sexy hand nacho (@sp1tcum) June 2, 2020
Also, here is the recipe for the frosty. We don’t even need you any more #WendysIsOverParty pic.twitter.com/VutJ5LhJTZ
— innana (@MombieSendwine) June 2, 2020
So I guess no more 4for4 meals now that Wendys is a disappointment 😔 #wendys #wendysisoverparty pic.twitter.com/0EEqSh7frs
— that person (@canyou_no) June 2, 2020
As for the actual Wendy's company and its CEO Todd Penegor, Business Insider said public records indicated that he has not made any donations directly to Trump or other politicians. According to Federal Election Commission filings, Penegor has donated only to the Wendy's Company PAC, which in turn has donated to candidates on both sides of the aisle
Some of the activity has defended Wendy's however, and personally called out Bodenstadt.
We need to be consistent and vigilant in our efforts for the #BlackLivesMatter cause. The CEO of Wendy’s, Todd Penegor, is not the person funding Trump. That is the franchise owner and CEO of MUY Companies, John (website states James) Bodenstadt. https://t.co/1D7afOBnoc pic.twitter.com/BiwMkwVHSp
— Rage Mom™ (@RageMom89) June 2, 2020
It's not really Wendy's though. James Bodenstadt is a franchisee that operates several Wendy's, Pizza Huts and other restaurants.
— a Gemini n Rising (@DjinnDe) June 2, 2020
Here's the link: https://t.co/eou9FBGthb
So James Bodenstedt, who is the CEO of Muys Cos (operates hundreds of Wendy's, Pizza Hut & Taco Bell franchises) donated to Trump - NOT the actual CEO of Wendy's, Todd A. Penegor. My apologies to @Wendys & Mr. Penegor.https://t.co/HDLb5jJEVM
— Jasper Lucas (@JGRIDLOCK) June 2, 2020
QSRweb is awaiting a response from Wendy's, but this afternoon, Yum Brands provided this comment via email:
"Taco Bell Corp. and Pizza Hut do not make donations to presidential political campaigns and have no involvement with or control over donations made by franchisees."
