Complaints swamp Wendy's for tweeting an image of nationalist meme Pepe the Frog
Wendy’s has brought to a close its stream of favourable media coverage generated by its sassy social media team by briefly sharing a reworked image of Pepe the Frog, now following the US election an meme closely associated with white supremacists.
Wendy's use of Pepe
The run started at the start of the year when the outlet allegedly schooled a Twitter user casting shade on its claim to never freeze its meat – the revelation that Wendy’s indeed uses fridges made headlines.
if you're having a bad day today, just remember that you didn't get dragged by a fast food company on twitter pic.twitter.com/gUSuHwZLQR
— ΓRΛX@MAGFEST (@Fraxtil) January 2, 2017
However, the Daily Beast is reporting that with the outgoing user engagement, the brand has ruffled some feathers when it posted a Wendy’s version of the alt-right amphibian.
Wendy's just tweeted and deleted this pic.twitter.com/c7l1nzOKZr
— Colin Jones (@colinjones) January 4, 2017
The company issued a statement claiming it was “unaware of the recent evolution of the Pepe meme,” and as a result, the tweet was promptly deleted. Below are just some of the high-engagement “burns” posted by the brand.
@Sharp_tK We would, but unlike your streams, people are watching.
— Wendy's (@Wendys) January 3, 2017
@LacedlLouie Get one of your 51 followers to roast you.
— Wendy's (@Wendys) January 3, 2017
@thejessicaboldt "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." - Wayne Gretzky
- Michael Scott
— Wendy's (@Wendys) January 3, 2017
@StoneBurleson You talking bout Zezima or nah?
— Wendy's (@Wendys) January 4, 2017
Rain drop
Drop top
Spicy Chicken keeping it hot pic.twitter.com/qDBVObG3HZ
— Wendy's (@Wendys) January 4, 2017