DiGiorno Pizza is under fire for a recent tweet using the hashtag #WhyIStayed, which went viral after video of Ray Rice apparently punching his fiancee sparked new dialogue on domestic violence.
The trending hashtag emerged a day after the video was released. The hashtag, along with #WhyILeft, demonstrates the complicated decisions victims face and was used as women and men wrote about their trauma and fear.
The pizza retailer, owned by formerly Northbrook, Illinois-based Nestle, joined the domestic violence discussion by tweeting “#WhyIStayed You had pizza.”
The tweet sparked saucy backlash from Twitter users with many calling it “insensitive” and “inappropriate.”
The tweet has since been removed and DiGiorno has offered individual apologies to the many users commenting on their post.
“A million apologies,” one reply read. “Did not read what the hashtag was about before posting. Deleted immediately.”
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The company later tweeted an official apology.
“We heard from many of you, and we know we disappointed you,” the tweet read. “We understand, and we apologize to everyone for this mistake.”
Apparently, DiGiorno wasn't the only cheesy company sparking controversy over tweets surrounding Ray Rice and domestic violence.
Chicago's Cheesie's Pub & Grill tweeted Tuesday "TINDER TUESDAY = 20% off tabs! It's a knockout deal... We're calling it the Ray Rice ;)."
The company has also issued an apology and since deleted the tweet.
"We would like to apologize for the previous tweet, referencing Ray Rice. This tweet was posted by a disgruntled ex employee who had Twitter access. In no way, shape or form do condone his behavior. We also apologize to anyone who was directly offended by this tweet."
We would like to apologize for the previous tweet, referencing Ray Rice. This tweet was posted by a disgruntled ex employee who had — Cheesie's Pub & Grub (@CheesiesChicago) September 9, 2014
Twitter access. In no way, shape or form do we condone his behavior. We also apologize to anyone who was directly offended by this tweet. — Cheesie's Pub & Grub (@CheesiesChicago) September 9, 2014
Cheesie's said social media security precautions are being put in place to prevent similar instances from happening and announced plans for a charitable fundraiser to benefit a center for domestic violence.
@LesaMonroe I hope so too. I would never have intentionally made light of such a serious and heartfelt conversation. Again, my apologies. — DiGiorno Pizza (@DiGiornoPizza) September 9, 2014
We heard from many of you, and we know we disappointed you. We understand, and we apologize to everyone for this mistake.
@QueerFruitFly Yes. This could and should have been avoided. I'm sorry to all those affected by it. It was thoughtless and I feel horrible. — DiGiorno Pizza (@DiGiornoPizza) September 9, 2014
@AmyBHeldman @FastCompany It was a horrible mistake and I take full responsibility for not checking the context before posting. — DiGiorno Pizza (@DiGiornoPizza) September 9, 2014
@mtracey Our community manager wrote it without realizing the context of the conversation. Again, our apologies for the careless mistake. — DiGiorno Pizza (@DiGiornoPizza) September 9, 2014
— DiGiorno Pizza (@DiGiornoPizza) September 9, 2014
