PJ’s Coffee Chain ‘Removes’ NOLA Franchisee For Crude Comment on Lebron James Post | Eater New Orleans

"A popular New Orleans coffee shop chain, PJ’s Coffee publicly said the words used by franchisee Stephen Bruno Jr. were “inappropriate and uncalled for” and announced that he “has been removed as a franchisee” after Bruno replied to LeBron James’s social post — which read “Protect our young Black women and men” — with “Eat a [eggplant emoji].” The company’s statement came amid public backlash, and PJ’s has framed the action while observers have noted it’s unclear what “removed” actually means; Eater has reached out to PJ’s for clarification. The chain has also been pursuing a large expansion in the Southern U.S., aiming to open 28 shops across Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida over the next three years and recently opened two locations in Dallas, Texas." - Clair Lorell