Cav's Fans Boycotting Papa Johns?

[HD MM]

Way to go Papa John's. You've just pissed off a nation of LeBron fans and all of Ohio alike! Great marketing strategy!

From Cleveland Plain Dealer Article as seen: HERE.


Papa John's crybaby T-shirts aimed at LeBron upset Cavs fans

The No. 23 T-shirts with the word crybaby in red and green printed on the back were a hit with Washington Wizards fans Friday. They wore them and waived them during Game 6, taunting LeBron James, echoing the trash talk the Wizards hurled at the Cavs during the first round of playoffs.

But the shirts -- carrying a Papa John's pizza logo -- are upsetting many Cleveland Cavaliers fans.

Some bloggers are urging a boycott of the national pizza chain, which has dozens of outlets in Northeast Ohio.

A manager of the Shaker Heights location said Saturday that his store has received angry calls and faxes. And someone who claimed to work at that store posted a message on-line saying that their orders dropped off after buzz about the shirts started.

Lori Carabello, director of Cleveland operations for Papa John's, said the T-shirts weren't authorized by the corporate office.

She suspects a Papa John's franchise in the D.C. area made them and passed them out. "We're as stunned as everybody else who was watching the game," she said.

A spokesman for the Washington Wizards said Saturday that his organization had nothing to do with the production or distribution of the shirts.

Blogger Jon Eick, a Washington Wizards fan who works in marketing, took credit Saturday for causing the buzz about the shirts.

When he saw the shirts at Friday's game, he figured Papa Johns didn't have stores in Ohio, he said.

After the game, he looked on line and found more than a dozen Papa John's close to The Q.

He knew immediately that Papa Johns made a strategic mistake and posted something on-line about the chains gaffe about 2:30 a.m., hours after the game.

Within hours, a half-dozen people linked to what he had posted. Cavs fans were angry.

The Wizards talked trash and played rough during the whole first round.

And when Lebron didn't fight back, Wizards center Brendan Haywood labeled him a crybaby.

Papa Johns was wrong, some Cavs fans say, for taking sides.

In the end, the snotty T-shirts didn't matter.

The Cavs trounced the Wizards 105-88, knocking the Wizards out of the playoffs for the third year in a row.

Who's crying now, baby?

 

[leo250]

Hold on, Cleveland sports fans...How impressive is a first round victory in the NBA play-offs?
You may want to remember that the Cavs are 1/4 of the way home. Remember how hard it was to get post-season victory #13 last year? Perhaps, before blowing away Papa John's, Cleveland fans should stay focused on the prize. Lebron is a big boy, I think he can handle any criticism. Protest Papa John's all you want, percentages are still very high that LeBron will be doing the same as Papa John's management when it comes to the NBA finals, they both will be watching and hoping for some court-side seats.

 

[HD MM]

Hold on, Cleveland sports fans...How impressive is a first round victory in the NBA play-offs?
You may want to remember that the Cavs are 1/4 of the way home. Remember how hard it was to get post-season victory #13 last year? Perhaps, before blowing away Papa John's, Cleveland fans should stay focused on the prize. Lebron is a big boy, I think he can handle any criticism. Protest Papa John's all you want, percentages are still very high that LeBron will be doing the same as Papa John's management when it comes to the NBA finals, they both will be watching and hoping for some court-side seats.

Just saying, it wasn't a smart move to call out the most popular player in the league. Especially in the current state of media awareness and public relations sensitivity.

 

[HD MM]

Wow. That was quick! Papa John's apparently ate crow and is attempting to save face in this PR blunder.....

From Cleveland Plain Dealer Article as seen: HERE.

Papa John's issues apology, pizza deal

Looks like Papa John's is eating humble pie.

Or rather, serving it up to Clevelanders - for a whopping 23 cents.

(Sorry about the cheesy pun. Oops, just did it again.)

The pizza chain issued an apology Sunday for the No. 23 T-shirts emblazoned with the word "Crybaby" and the Papa John's logo, which Washington Wizards fans flaunted during Friday's playoff game in Washington DC. To show the chain's sincerity, its more than 40 area stores on Thursday will sell customers a large one-topping pie for 23 cents.

The company will donate those 23 cents from every pizza, plus $10,000, to the Cavaliers Youth Fund.

"At Papa John's, we're huge fans of Cleveland, the Cavs and LeBron James," said the company statement. "Everyone wins, and we wish the same for the Cavs and LeBron through the playoffs."

The shirts stemmed from No. 23, LeBron James', complaints about hard fouls he thought were intended to injure. Wizards Center Brendan Haywood labeled him a crybaby.

Too bad the Cavs took Game 6 105-88. And we won 23-cent pizza.

Guess that makes it no harm, no foul.

 

[leo250]

Maybe Papa John's was looking for some free advertising on the four letter's sportscenter.

 

[HD MM]

Maybe Papa John's was looking for some free advertising on the four letter's sportscenter.

Yup. You nailed it. This apology and 23-cent Pizza deal seems too scripted. Besides, how could that duphous not know that Papa Johns doesn't exist outside of D.C.?

 

[Ramy]

This is just stupid for a Papa John's franchise to do in the first place.

 

[SabresRule]

Speaking of the Cavs,

you like my new signature, HD MM?

 

[HD MM]

Speaking of the Cavs,

you like my new signature, HD MM?

Yup. Very nice.

For those of you who don't know what SabresRule is talking about, the phrase comes from the popular Nike/LeBron Pool Commercial as seen here:

YouTube - Lebron James Nike Pool Commercial

 

[HD MM]

Today is 0.23-cent Pizza Day!!!!

What: One large, one topping pizza for 23-cents. And for the skeptics out there who believe it may be too good to be true, yes, cheese does not count as the one topping. Pick pepperoni, sausage, onions, whatever your taste buds desire.

When: Thursday (Today!) 10:30 am - 11:00 pm (.23-cent offer good for carryout only)

Where: Akron, Cleveland, Canton and Warren. The Canton, Massillon, Perry Township, North Canton, Louisville, New Philadelphia, Alliance, and Uniontown Papa John's locations are also among 49 in Ohio participating in the promotion. The list expanded from 40 to 49 stores when Toledo and Youngstown franchises wanted to join in. There's even been reports that this offer is available in Grove City (Columbus Area) and Erie, PA!

 

[Skyhi]

I was pretty ticked off at papa johns when i was watching the game and saw the shirts, but I will be eating cheap pizza tongiht GO CAVS!!!

 

[HD MM]

Just heard on the radio, 60-70 people outside the PJ's in Lakewood already!!!

Another 50+ outside the PJ's in Mentor!!!

Insanity I tell ya!

 

[Skyhi]

I'll be driving past the Mayfield Heights location shortly....I'll have to see if theres a line.

 

[HD MM]

I'll be driving past the Mayfield Heights location shortly....I'll have to see if theres a line.

Great! That one's the closest to me in Lyndhurst. I may drive by today after work just to get a picture of the chaos!

 

[SabresRule]

And to think, all this comes on the day of Game 2 of Cavs/Celtics (AKA the great trash-talking battle between HD MM and salsadancer)

 

[Skyhi]

I just drove by the mayfield road store and i cant believe it. The line was well over 100 deep.....all the way to St Claire's....there was a news crew there. I promised my kid we'd get pizza tonight, but there no way im waiting in that line tonight....I guess i'll be going to Tasty Pizza instead.

 

[HD MM]

Lakewood @ 11am

Shaker Heights

Parma

Below is a list of list of information at some of the locations from Channel 3 News crews and tip calls coming into the Channel 3 Newsroom. (Time are approximate).

• 11:45 a.m. Line at the Shaker Heights store close to 1,000 as of around 11:30 a.m.
  
• 11:30 a.m. Photo sent by Channel 3's Matt Babb shows a line snaking its way out of the Parma store.
  
• 11:12 a.m. Tip caller in Mentor claims that Papa John's is telling customers it is not taking phone orders. (We are efforting information from Papa John's corporate on whether phone orders are being accepted for this promotion. Company already suspended on line orders for it.)
  
  Second caller in Mentor says they are receiving a message that the phone line has been disconnected. Another caller says that phones not ringing at all at Papa John's locations at 184th and Detroit and at 171st and Lorain.
  
• 10:45 a.m Line grows to 300 at Shaker Heights location. Per wkyc.com's Kim Wendel, the line keeps growing at a rate of about 15 people ever 5 minutes.
  
• 10:40 a.m. Traffic jam reported at the Shaker Heights location as the line reaches more than 220 people. But per wkyc.com reporter, Kim Wendel on scene, the mood of the crowd is good and even festive with the crowd chanting "Go Cavs!"
  
• 10:40 a.m. Channel 3 news crew reports long line at the Lakewood loation on Detroit
  
• 10:35 a.m. Channel 3's Carole Sullivan reports the line at the Berea restaurant location wraps around the building
  
• 10:30 a.m. Tip caller says the line at the East 222 and Lakeshore location stretches down the block with more than 300 people in line.
• 10:20 a.m. Papa John's suspends its on-line ordering and WKYC receives calls about not being able to get through when calling restaurants.
  
• 10:00 a.m. Shaker Heights location chooses to open early and start selling pizzas after the line reaches more than 120 people.

 

[Skyhi]

there were people sitting in lawn chairs at the mayfield location....it was reminiscent of a black friday sale.

 

[Ramy]

This is insane. I wouldn't want one if they gave them away.

 

[HD MM]

Below is a list of list of information at some of the locations from Channel 3 News crews and tip calls coming into the Channel 3 Newsroom. (Time are approximate).

• 2:50 p.m. Report of a possible fight in the line at an Akron restaurant.
  
• 2:30 p.m. Channel 3's Mike O'Mara reports that police have Papa John's to hire at lease two security officers for the duration of the promotion. There are concerns about unruly customers jumping in line and traffic tie-ups.
  The Euclid Police officers on the scene have strongly suggested that Papa John's hire at least two security officers to make sure the long line stays orderly. There are at least 12 hundred people currently waiting for their turn at this location on Lakeshore Boulevard.
  
• 2:25 p.m. Channel 3's Mike O'Mara reports that police have been called out to the Euclid location to deal with people trying to jump in line.
  
• 2:20 p.m. Papa John's in Euclid is asking that people not call. Orders are not being taken over the phone. Presumably this is the case at other locations where callers have been unable to get through. Papa John's however did say from the start that the promotion was for carry out orders only--no deliveries.
  
• 2:00 p.m. Channel 3 director Matt Babb called in to report he finally had his 23 cent pizza at the Parma location--after waiting in line 3 hours and 20 minutes!
  
• 1:55 p.m. Police have thrown three "line-jumpers" out from the location in Shaker Heights. People are starting to lose their patience, some walking away without pizza.
  
• 1:10 p.m. WKYC.com's Kim Wendel reports that the line has grown to nearly 2,000 in Shaker Heights. Some people in line since before 10 are just now getting their pizza. Police concerned about what happens when students released from school. Read the rest of Kim's blog using the link below.
  
• 1:05 p.m. Akron police report that traffic was brought to a standstill on Route 8 south as drivers clogged the freeway earlier trying to get to the East Market location. The line of traffic stretched from the Buchtel/Carroll exit back to the Tallmadge Avenue Exit. Read more about the traffic jam and the Akron situation from Ohio.com
  
• 12:30 p.m. Channel 3's Mike O'Mara and videographer are on site at the Euclid location at East 222 and Lakeshore. They report several hundred people in line with the crowd extending down past the corner. The location is NOT taking phone orders. The wait for pizza is more than 2 hours! The mood in the line is decribed as good. There have been a few people who tried to cut in line but they were shouted down by the crowd. The manager at the location says he's confident there will be enough pizza to meet the demand.
  
• 12:15 p.m. WKYC.com's Kim Wendel reports that an estimate 1,700 people are in line at the Shaker Heights store. People are parking from as far away as 3 blocks because there is not parking at the restaurant. Read the rest of Kim's blog/story
  
• 12:00 p.m. Channel 3's Eric Mansfield reports there about 200 people in line at the West Market location in Akron. People tell Eric that the line started forming as early as 8:00 a.m. They have sent workers down the line to take orders in advance. But we're the wait at many of the locations is easily more than a hour.