A sign outside a Belton, Missouri Sonic Drive-in that went viral on Twitter has forced the company to issue a string of apologies. Here is the original tweet:
Everyone please look at this pic and tell @sonicdrive_in what you think of it. Please RT! pic.twitter.com/gvtik9lYMo
— Delores Schilling (@DelSchilling) December 8, 2013
The sign refers to Sunday’s National Football League game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Washington football team. It read that the Chiefs — who, like the Washington team, have a Native American-themed logo and mascot — will “scalp the Redskins,” “feed them whiskey,” and “send 2 reservation.”
Accounts conflict as to how long the sign remained in front of the Sonic. Some claim it was only “about 15 minutes.” But the official Sonic Drive-In twitter account only notes that the sign was up for “less than an hour”:
@nicksays_summer @englandsemo @DelSchilling The hurtful message was up less than one hour. Damage and hurt already done. We are sorry.
— Sonic Drive-In (@sonicdrive_in) December 9, 2013
In the hours since the first tweet went viral, Sonic Drive-In has written over 300 tweets apologizing for the racism of the sign:
@theweesh15 You are absolutely right. There is no place for racism in our company and we and the location owner are very sorry.
— Sonic Drive-In (@sonicdrive_in) December 9, 2013
As well as assuring potential customers that “franchise owner” and “our brand” are “sincerely sorry.”
@Klownchyld_1906 @DelSchilling Message was wrong and hurtful. Brand and local owner very sorry. Owner coaching employees. No excuses.
— Sonic Drive-In (@sonicdrive_in) December 9, 2013
As for the actual employee responsible for the sign, in addition to “coaching,” the employee is being “counseled” by the franchise owner:
@ralphamsden Yes, this message was hurtful and plain wrong. Our brand and local owner are very sorry. Employee counseled by local owner.
— Sonic Drive-In (@sonicdrive_in) December 9, 2013
[“Gourmet Cheese Burger On A Pretzel Roll With Lettuce And Tomato” on Shutterstock]
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER