Social media has become an important tool for brands to connect with customers. We have often seen that food brands like Swiggy, Zomato and Domino’s interact with users all the time. Recently, these brands were also trending because of the hilarious Met Gala memes they shared. But not all social media interactions by brands is a good idea. Pizza Hut was recently caught up in a controversy on social media with a Twitter user. It all started when @Zohadtweets asked Pizza Hut about the number of likes on his tweet for getting free pizza from the popular pizza chain. Have a look:
I mean it’s worth a try. pic.twitter.com/rCqcqlSo8z— zohad (@Zohadtweets) October 1, 2021
(Also read: Free pizza and special cartoons in honor of Mirabai Chanu’s Olympic victory)
“I mean it’s worth a try,” wrote the user in his caption. In the picture he shared, we can see him asking the official handle pizza Hut, “Brother, how many likes for 1 XL Pizza with 6 Garlic Bread and a Coke?” To this Pizza Hut replied, “10,000.” Soon, the likes on the Twitter user’s post crossed 10k, and Pizza Hut agreed to send him free pizza. However, he said the delivery would take two weeks and that he only had one large pizza and no XL option. Have a look:
Will it take 2 weeks? only big?
Forget it, keep your Pizza Man, don’t want it. It is a disgrace to all those who participated. I’ll never go out of pizza again. pic.twitter.com/BJBqxllzJq— zohad (@Zohadtweets) 2 October 2021
On asking him his number and address, he assured him that he would get the pizza within the next two weeks. This Twitter user did not like Pizza Hut’s reply. He said his original request was for an extra-large pizza, not a bigger one. Unreasonable delay in delivery also troubled him. “Forget it, keep your pizza man, don’t want it. It’s disrespectful to all the people who participated. I’m not going pizza Hut ever again.”
This was followed by an exchange of tweets between the official handle of Pizza Hut Pakistan and Twitter user Zohad. Have a look:
We have permanently discontinued XL. Only the big one is available. Sorry, should have pointed this out earlier. We cannot give less time period than this. Don’t worry, you’ll get it within 2 weeks. – PizzaHutPak (@PizzaHutPak) 2 October 2021
2 large pizzas are not the same as 1 XL pizza. 2 large pizzas = 24 inches while 1 XL pizza = 15 inches. The offer is the same. Please respond with your address and contact details by tonight, after which this offer will no longer be valid. Looking forward to serving you. Apologies again… – PizzaHutPak (@PizzaHutPak) 2 October 2021
You don’t apologize and give deadlines in the same breath. That tweet alone gave you a million impressions and still debated like a kid at a couple inches. it’s embarrassing. I don’t want your pizza or anything to happen to you, get out of my mentions. #pizzahutcanceledhttps://t.co/F1TO9cBNjZ— zohad (@Zohadtweets) 2 October 2021
(Also read: Pizza Hut delivers pizza to Mount Kilimanjaro: Guinness World Record)
The Twitter discussion then became a complete controversy. Other users also quipped in their answers. pizza Hut To fulfill its promise of giving free pizza to the user. Several people pointed out that through all these tweets the pizza chain was getting free publicity, and could be boycotted if they did not provide the free pizza as agreed. Have a look:
@PizzaHutPak If you don’t have an XL, give him two big pizzas if you don’t want the whole Twitter boycotting you – م (@remusloopinn) 2 October 2021
Yeh, we agreed to 2 big pizzas – PizzaHutPak (@PizzaHutPak) 3 October 2021
Why is Pizza Hut typing like my 13 year old brother ?????— iman | men hate acc???? (@nadeimaman) 2 October 2021
@PizzaHutPak Don’t be pathetic Send what you promised till yesterday or else we will boycott you.
(PS: Did you get the free promotion too????) — Delay¯_(ツ)_/¯ ???????? (@bejut) 2 October 2021
@mcdonaldspk I know you’ll never be disappointed! – Malik (@desiburger23) 2 October 2021
In the end, it seems that the issue has been resolved with Pizza Hut agreeing to offer two large pizzas instead of one extra large pizza. What did you think of the controversy? Tell us in the comments below.
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