Hawaiian Bros CEO had praised company’s Royals giveaway two days before change
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Hawaiian Bros' Plates for Plates promotion triggered when Royals scored six runs at home.
- CEO Scott Ford praised the promotion on social media less than 48 hours before the change.
- Hawaiian Bros converted free giveaway to a buy one, get one free offer amid fan backlash.
History repeats itself, even when it comes to free food for Royals fans.
Ahead of the 2007 season, Panera offered fans a sweet deal: If the Royals had 13 hits in a home game, everyone at Kauffman Stadium would receive a baker’s dozen of bagels the next day. It replaced the wildly popular dozen hits, dozen Krispy Kreme donuts promotion.
But by the end of April, the deal was scrapped as fans overwhelmed Panera.
Sound familiar?
Over the past few weeks, Kansas City area Hawaiian Bros restaurants had seen long lines the day after the Royals scored six runs in a game at home. That was part of the “Plates for Plates” deal. But that promotion was suddenly changed Wednesday night as Hawaiian Bros said fans would now get a buy one, get one free deal when the Royals scored six times in a home game.
Perhaps the biggest mistake made by Hawaiian Bros was opening the giveaway to anyone. Past giveaways were only for fans at Kauffman Stadium for a particular game. But Hawaiian Bros CEO Scott Ford didn’t help matters. After the Royals triggered the giveaway with six runs in Monday’s win over the Guardians, fans on social media wrote about how the CEO must be hating the deal.
Ford responded to a pair of those messages. He wrote to one: “Nah, I’m Loving It! Go Royals!!! 🤙🏼🍍”
Less than 48 hours later, Hawaiian Bros made the change and some people et Ford hear about it.
“You’re a fraud. #BoycottHawaiianBros,” a fan wrote.
A second asked: “so then why’d you change it huh ??????”
“Corporate America integrity challenge,” wrote another.
Unfortunately for Hawaiian Bros, the Royals’ five-game win streak ended after the freebie was changed to a BOGO.
And the Royals scored just one run Wednesday in that 3-1 loss to the Guardians.
Fans expressed their displeasure and here’s a bit of what was said on X.
