Grubhub is facing a surge of backlash on social media after CEO Matt Maloney issued a statement criticizing President-elect Donald Trump’s divisive campaign rhetoric.
In a statement issued Thursday, Maloney wrote the following:
While demeaning, insulting and ridiculing minorities, immigrants and the physically/mentally disabled worked for Mr. Trump, I want to be clear that this behavior – and these views, have no place at Grubhub. Had he worked here, many of his comments would have resulted in his immediate termination.
His statement went on to say the company has cultivated a “culture of support and inclusiveness” and that anyone who feels scared or threatened by such rhetoric is safe can be assured that “I and everyone else here at Grubhub will fight for your dignity and your right to make a better life for yourself and your family.”
Finally, he called for anyone who disagreed with that sentiment should resign from the company.
Through the night and into Friday morning, there was a flurry of backlash across social media. Thousands who found issue with the statement took to Twitter to call for a boycott of the company under the hash tag #BoycottGrubhub—and as seen below—any restaurant that partners with the delivery service.
Boycott ALL Restaurants who use @grubhub until the restaurant drops using grubhub. #boycottgrubhub. https://t.co/AEk83W2Hcr
— Mil Air Comms (@MilAirComms) November 11, 2016
Thousands more took to Facebook and an updated comment on the company’s Facebook page spawned more than 11,000 comments in a political back and forth.
When asked for comment, Grubhub issued the following response:
At Grubhub, we welcome and accept employees with all political beliefs, no matter who they voted for in this or any election. We do not discriminate on the basis of someone’s principles, or otherwise. The message was intended to advocate for inclusion and tolerance — regardless of political affiliation — during this time of transition for our country.
Maloney further attempted to clarify his original statement, writing that he never asked anyone to resign if they voted for Trump.
“I would never make such a demand. To the contrary, the message of the email is that we do not tolerate discriminatory activity or hateful commentary in the workplace, and that we will stand up for our employees,” wrote Maloney.
The updated statement (which can be read as an addendum to the original statement), however, has done little to slow down the social media onslaught. The Chicago-based company stock has fallen more than 5 percent since the statement.
If nothing else, it’s a lesson in corporate communication, one that is being watched by the entire industry.
Not what you want to see trending as public company CEO! #boycottgrubhub $GRUB
— Howard Penney (@HedgeyeHWP) November 11, 2016
