Boycotts of fast food chains are in the news more and more. There is, of course, a section of the fast-food eating public that won’t touch Chick-fil-A due to the company’s official conservative stance on social issues. Then there was the Starbucks boycott after a manager had two black men arrested for “trespassing,” or sitting in the cafe without buying anything. Now there’s an In-N-Out boycott brewing. So why are people pissed at the chain previous adored for their “Animal Style” eats? We explain.
So why are people calling for an In-N-Out boycott?
Last week, a public filing revealed, as journalist Gabe Schneider put it, “a new item” on the chain’s secret menu. He broke the news that the fast-food company had donated $25,000 to the GOP. The donation, made to the California Republican Party, sparked calls for an IN-N-Out boycott.
One of the first voices to respond to the news of public filing was that of California Democratic Party chairman Eric Bauman. He tweeted: “Et tu In-N-Out? Tens of thousands of dollars donated to the California Republican Party… it’s time to #BoycottInNOut – let Trump and his cronies support these creeps… perhaps animal style!”
Et tu In-N-Out? Tens of thousands of dollars donated to the California Republican Party… it’s time to #BoycottInNOut – let Trump and his cronies support these creeps… perhaps animal style!https://t.co/9zkdFaG5CJ
— EricBauman (@EricBauman) August 30, 2018
In-N-Out responds
The chain did issue a response to the calls for an In-N-Out boycott, though as Schneider pointed out on Twitter, it was slightly misleading. The company claimed they have “made equal contributions to both Democratic and Republican Political Action Committees in the state of California.” But Schneider points out that “The company donated to a pro-business PAC that supports Democrats and the CA Republican Party. They did not donate to the CA Democratic Party.”
Just some clarity: this statement from @innoutburger is misleading. The company donated to a pro-business PAC that supports Democrats and the CA Republican Party. They did not donate to the CA Democratic Party. pic.twitter.com/O2Kxd2dQsL
— Gabe Schneider ? (@gabemschneider) August 31, 2018
In-N-Out goes on to say that they support lawmakers “regardless of political affiliation” as long as they “promote policies that strengthen California” and allow the company “to continue operating with the values of providing strong pay and great benefits to our Associates.”
According to Fortune, donated $30,000 last year and $50,000 this year to Californians for Jobs and a Strong Economy, a group that supports business-friendly candidates, including Democrats.
